I am wanting to buy some lowering springs for my 04 mcs w/ sport suspension. I think the ride quality is harsh enough from factory. I've search and never found any real clear answers for concerns I have.

1. What springs provide and equal or smoother ride quality compared to stock sport suspension?

2. What springs, if any, will work with my larger 215/45/17 tires? (wheel specs = Offset: +37mm Backspacing: 5.51")

I should also point out that the amount of drop is not a huge concern. I do not track the car either. It is a daily driver. I just want something that gives a better, more aggressive looking stance, and any improvement in handling is a welcomed extra.

I've been looking at TSW and M7. Again, my main concern is a smooth ride.

anyone have any insight towards my questions?

 

Yes they will fit fine with the TSW Springs.

 

If the TSW's fit,then that's the ticket.They are the best of all worlds-handling,stance,smoothness (handling being the most important)
I Love 'Em.

 

if ride quality is more important to you than handling/perfomance, i would look at a progressive-rate spring.

just my .02

 

^ I agree with Bean. Progressive rate springs typically provide better quality as it is softer then stock initially and then tightens up when you start to corner. Thus I'd look into something like the H-Sports or the Tein H-Techs.

I have the TSW springs, and the ride stayed relatively the same as stock with them. Just a little less "bouncy" due to them being better matched with stock shocks.

As for clearing the wheels...I don't think you'd have a problem. I run a 215/45/17 tire on my OEM R99's which are +48 offset. I still have more room before hitting the springs.

 

-my bad,I should have looked closer at the "smooth ride" part.

 

I have TSW springs with 215/45-17 Dunlop Star Specs. The tires rub on the fender liner with two people in the car and while going over large bumps. It's not a big issue, and I'll Dremel them out when warmer weather comes.

FWIW, TSW springs are linear, and you certainly feel every bump in the road. They handle the curves well and make handling very predictable. It really depends on your tolerance - it's a tradeoff. I wouldn't recommend them to someone with a bad back, but if you're going to track your car or enjoy driving hard corners, it's worth it.

 

Thanks for the information thus far. Another concern I have..... I would like a spring that doesn't require new shocks/struts(whichever) or control arms, camber plates etc. While those are things I will add over time. I dont want them to be immediate upfront requirements.

who carries tein h-techs, and hsport? not familiar with those brands
I'm favoring the TSWs right now...the drop of the m7 scares me a little.

 

You won't ever need camber plates for any lowering springs. However at some point any lowering spring is going to send your rear camber to far out and tire cost will become very high. No matter what lowering springs you get, please get a set of lower adjustable rear control arms to fix the extra neg camber in the rear. Because your 04 R53 doesn't have ANY rear camber adjustment.

 

...In regard to "bad backs":Thats funny you should say that.I have a totally rebuilt 12th thoracic vertebra,made out hip bone and screws,and an 8 inch long titanium plate.I have 40 series profile z1's(which offer even less cush than 45's)....and the ride feels wonderful...to me.

 

no need. just keep driving. the tires will "self-clearance" the plastic w/ no damage to the tire and much neater than a dremel.

 

Excellent bit of information there. Thanks!

 

MZero - the Tein H-Tech sure look like linear rate springs in the pictures I've seen, and they quote a single compression rate.

Are you sure that the H-Tech for the MINI is progressive?

 

Oops - found it on the Tein site - they are described as progressive-rate, even though the pictures used by most vendors show linear springs.

 

Yep, they sure do look linear, and I don't know what the dynamic compression is on them. But from what I've seen MOST Tein springs are progressive...and H-Techs are typically "soft"

 

Cool. I still get noise with a passenger, but I usually tell her that all racecars make that noise. =)

And yeah, I don't know how sensitive your back is, but with springs and camber plates I can definitely feel when one of my wheels is out of balance. Stiffer springs transmit more vibration. If there's no vibration to begin with, it's fine.

 

Having had Tein H-techs, they are linear, minor drop, and way stiffer than stock; S-techs are progressive and drop the car about 1.5 inches.

 

Ah, what do those manufacturers know anyway? From the Tein USA web site on the H-Tech springs at http://www.tein.com/products/high_tech.html

"- Progressive Spring Rate Design"