This is how much the NM springs "settle" after 24K of rather hard driving. They don't!

 

Is an alignment necessary after installing these springs? I've also been quoted for about $200 for installing these, that sound right?

 

I ordered mine yesterday along with a rear control arm and a rear sway bar from way and it should be here on Monday! I can't wait!

 

That sounds pretty good to me. An alignment is necessary, as well.

 

Absolutely - you WILL need an alignment.

$200 doesn't sound bad. Does that shop do alignments? I'd try to find a reputable joint to do the whole shootin' match. Whatever you do, don't pay inflated stealership alignment prices, they're generally 2x or more than what an independent guy will charge - and in my past experience, are rarely (if ever) done correctly.

 

When I put the NM springs in, I did not get an alignment.

This was with the NM sway bar and no control arms. (once you start messing with the control arms, you might as well get the alignment.)

I've had them in for 60k+ miles and the car still drives straight and smooth. Tire wear is as expected with the camber and even from left to right.

RR

 

My install was at MINICorsa in North Hollywood, and he said it included alignment. I was next door getting my grand slam on at Dennys and by the time I finished, my car was done. Have no clue if it was aligned or not! It drives straight and smooth though, and I love it more every day.

 

Hi all, i installed NM springs and H-sport rear sway, along with NM engine torque arm inserts - day and night

 

i thought you have to do your alignment when the spring settles in. (couple weeks or more...)

 

I've had my suspension upgraded on at least a half-dozen cars in my lifetime, and none have EVER "settled". I think it's an old wives' tale.

 

On the first day it was difficult to see any drop difference between the NM springs and stock sport springs on my 09 JCW. But after about a week they settled at least an inch. Too bad my first "after pics" didn't come out very good or I would be able to illustrate a little better.

 

Has anyone installed these springs withbthe bilstein HD or sports? Does anyone think the ride would be too harsh with this combo?

 

Installed this set up on my 08 mcs about a week ago (bilstein sports, nm springs, alta 19 mm rear sway bar on the middle setting, H-sport lower adjustable camber arms and WMW end links) and I will admit the ride is firmer but not jarring. At 33K miles the original shocks had seen their better days which was evident the minute I drove with the new set up. If You're seeking a much better handling ride and control then this is your ticket but some are not willing to give up an ounce of comfort for a ton of performance.

 

This looks like an inexpensive setup. I am seriously leaning toward doing this!
Thanks for the advice

 

I drove a Factory JCW I was considering buying that was lowered on NM springs. Car felt really nice and planted. Didn't even notice it was lowered until I saw the blue paint from the springs poking through the wheels.

 

I ended up Buying the TSW springs for the height. Since I have the Cooper S laurel it came with the Front already low JCW bumper and I don,t want to scrape it up.
I also bought the eibach 19mm sway-bar and the pre inter-cooler pipe.
My start to Modding my mini!

 

Hello,

i just bought a set on nm springs but i cant find the installation instructions, does anyone can send them to me??

thanks

 

I just installed the Koni Yellows with my NM springs. I have them at 1.25 turns from full soft both front and rear. I love the way the car handles now compared to the more jarring ride from the OEM shocks at 18,000 mi old now.

Got them on sale for $679 but had to wait a while for delivery.

Well worth the wait and wish I had made the upgrade earlier.

Anyone else with the Konis want to share their rebound settings for street and light track?

 

I have the yellows that come in the H&R touring cup kit. They're identical except for being painted silver-blue to match the springs, and having an "H&R Made in Germany" sticker on them. Uh, but wait - they're still stamped "Koni Made in Holland" (or NL, can't remember) and have the normal Koni external adjuster **** for the fronts. I ASSume the valving is custom for H&R.

They went on as shipped in the rear, which I assume is full soft. In the front I experimented with cranking them anywhere from a half to more than a full turn, but wound up backing them all the way off to full soft. Too bouncy anywhere else for my tired old butt. I'm not crazy about the springs in this kit as the lowering in the front is fairly extreme, while being about right in the back, which produces a bit of a rake that I don't care for visually. Handling is nothing special either IMHO. But, still a MASSIVE upgrade from any stock setup, and I only paid $600 for the kit at Christmas '09, which was a killer deal.

 

as mentioned before, i installed NM springs and H-sport 19mm rear sway (OEM end links). cornering and handling is better, but...

1) there's some sort plastic or rubber like squeaking from the rear. anybody experienced that? i believe it is spring related because as i sit on the rear bumper and bounce up and down on it i can hear the squeak. all suggestions are much appreciated.

2) i had H-sport 19mm rear sway in both middle and the stiffest settings. i really didn't feel the difference between the two settings or compare to OEM sport suspension bar. car feels more neutral than it was, but i was expecting the rear to "tighten up" while cornering or at the very least feel the difference. this one baffles me. anybody had this? did you guys with similar setup (NM spring and larger sway) feel stiffer rear while cornering? is it possible that dropping the car requires different end links to make it work? could the bar simply slide laterally at load (i.e. need to tighten the bushings)? all suggestions are much appreciated.

thanks a lot in advance guys and gals!
Alex

 

The squeaking when you push down on the boot sounds like swaybar bushings needing lube.

 

You should get it aligned. I went to Firestone and they charged me $179 for lifetime alignment. Well worth it to get it aligned every time you get new tires or rotate them.

You may be able to negotiate. While I was waiting for my last realignment, I overheard the service guy was willing to deal with a customer on the phone if they bought tires from them.

 

Here's mine just installed yesterday. It's a bit lower than I thought! Let's hope it doesn't scrape too much now...otherwise it looks awesome and seems to handle better

 

Camden FTW!

 

Here's what mine looks like after a week and a run on some twisties with 18 MINI's.