Suspension How to tell which springs are on my MINI
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
How to tell which springs are on my MINI
I am getting ready to finally mod my suspension. Low and behold, the previous owner already upgraded the rear sway bar. Now I am not sure the springs are stock either. How can I tell what springs are on the car? There are two small silver stripes near the top of the springs. Other than that, I can't see any other markings.
I should have figured this out two years ago, but I was having too much fun to slow down and look.
I should have figured this out two years ago, but I was having too much fun to slow down and look.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: As Far North in NY as You Can Get
I just installed H-sports on mine, the springs I took out match what you're saying - as far as the rear ones; the fronts have a silver and a light blue mark - I'm assuming these are the stock springs, based on the lack of aftermarket parts on the car. Now, which stock springs, I'm not sure, but the h-sports did the ~1" lower thing so I'm leaning away from "sport" springs...
FWIW - I bought the car used and attempts to contact the previous owner have been unsuccessful...
FWIW - I bought the car used and attempts to contact the previous owner have been unsuccessful...
6th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 7
From: Orcutt, CA
If the springs are black with a small stripe or two they are probably stock spring. Most of the aftermarket springs are a color other than black or if black do not have a stripe. Mini identifies the spring with different color stripes. Also, if your car does not appear to be lowered than the springs are probably stock. I believe all the aftermarket springs drop the car at least 5/8".
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Hefro,
The factory SS+ springs will be black with two stripes. Two grey stripes on the front is very common on 2003-2004 R53's. See the second spring from the left in the first attachment.You can also check the wire diameter with a pair of calipers. The SS+ with two grey stripes should measure at 14mm
If the rears are black with one grey & one blue stripe or one blue, one grey plus a third yellow stripe, you have factory SS+ for the R53. Those should Mic out at 11mm wire diameter.
Good luck with the mods!
The factory SS+ springs will be black with two stripes. Two grey stripes on the front is very common on 2003-2004 R53's. See the second spring from the left in the first attachment.You can also check the wire diameter with a pair of calipers. The SS+ with two grey stripes should measure at 14mm
If the rears are black with one grey & one blue stripe or one blue, one grey plus a third yellow stripe, you have factory SS+ for the R53. Those should Mic out at 11mm wire diameter.
Good luck with the mods!
Last edited by FlyinScotsman; Apr 10, 2010 at 06:09 PM. Reason: added pics
4th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: As Far North in NY as You Can Get
)
Trending Topics
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Whoops! should've posted that info.
Fronts:
(L to R) JCW (R53 with A/C & sunroof), SS+ (2003 R53 w Sunroof A/C), TSW (V.3), SS (5spd R50)
Rears:
(L to R) SS+ (2003 R53 w. A/C & sunroof), JCW (R53 w A/C & sunroof).SS+ (R53 2004 build w A/C & sunroof)**, SS (R50 w 5spd), TSW, Apex (Dutch aftermarket springs).
** the 2004 R53 w A/C & Sunroof I examined also used the Grey/grey front springs identical to the '03 R53 ( same wire diam. coil diam & free length)
There are other SS & SS+springs out there that aren't shown here. They will have different color paint stripes.
Fronts:
(L to R) JCW (R53 with A/C & sunroof), SS+ (2003 R53 w Sunroof A/C), TSW (V.3), SS (5spd R50)
Rears:
(L to R) SS+ (2003 R53 w. A/C & sunroof), JCW (R53 w A/C & sunroof).SS+ (R53 2004 build w A/C & sunroof)**, SS (R50 w 5spd), TSW, Apex (Dutch aftermarket springs).
** the 2004 R53 w A/C & Sunroof I examined also used the Grey/grey front springs identical to the '03 R53 ( same wire diam. coil diam & free length)
There are other SS & SS+springs out there that aren't shown here. They will have different color paint stripes.
Hey guys I got the mini mania stage 1 suspension kit with the 2mm sway bar and Vogtland lowering springs. I put them on and they were supposed to produce a 1 inch drop as well as provide better handling. The rear is lowered as promised but the front is still at stock height. Is there something that I missed? I made sure everything went back together properly and even got it aligned and Firestone said everything was put back properly but I don’t understand why the front didn’t get lowered. If anyone has any ideas please let me know
Alliance Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 230
From: York, Pennsylvania
I tried to get some info compiled a few years ago about the MINI spring codes, but there was very little response. Unfortunately, I did it on the
other forum that I don't go to anymore. The codes probably changed somewhat since I first looked into this, however, and my ETK CD-ROM is
fairly old and dated, and I'm sure things are completely different for gen 1 convertibles, and gen 2 MINIs (including clubmans).
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...etk-table.html
For the gen 1 cars, there are about 6 different front and 6 different rear springs depending on
how the car is optioned and whether it's SS (MC) or SS+ (MC or MCS).
Here's some of that post quoted below:
other forum that I don't go to anymore. The codes probably changed somewhat since I first looked into this, however, and my ETK CD-ROM is
fairly old and dated, and I'm sure things are completely different for gen 1 convertibles, and gen 2 MINIs (including clubmans).
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...etk-table.html
For the gen 1 cars, there are about 6 different front and 6 different rear springs depending on
how the car is optioned and whether it's SS (MC) or SS+ (MC or MCS).
Here's some of that post quoted below:
There's a Spring Table on the BMW ETK cdrom. You select the model/year/transmission/etc.
and then on the spring table, you can select what optional equipment is on the car, and
it tells you the part numbers of the front and rear springs for that application. The results
(of hypothetical 12/02 cars - my etk only goes up to Dec, 2002 cars) were interesting, as
there's some overlap between the models and goes against things I'd read and posted
earlier. Enjoy (if you're geeky enough to do so):
Here's the current numbers for USA models
Ok, figured it out. I currently have the ETK
that goes up to 12/2003.
The first post was the old springs that only fit
MINIs up to the spring/perch change in 3/2002.
Here's the parts for USA cars after that date:
MC with SS
Front 31-33-6-769-382 or -383 or -384
Rear 33-53-6-763-280 or -659
MC with SS+
Front 31 33 6 769 387 or 388 or 389
Rear 33 53 6 763 282 or 283 or 284
MCS (with SS+)
Front 31 33 6 769 388 or 389
Rear 33 53 6 763 284 or 379
I can't find the part number on my springs, but they're color coded.
mine MC SS+ should be -388 front and -283 rear and they have
2 purple stripes on the front and two grey stripes on the rears.
If there's any interest, I could also post part numbers for
Euro or Canada models including the One and One D
for those of you who may be curious about which springs go with which cars,
it depends on
Model (one/MC/MCS),
Transmission (Man or Auto),
and which of the following accessories are on the car:
DSC
Suspension (none {one}/SS{one/MC}/SS+/{MC/MCS}
head airbags
emergency wheel
sunroof
storage package
headlight cleaning system
foglamps
a/c
auto a/c
Nav system
6cd changer
Harmon Kardon
If anyone wants me to plug this info into the spring table to see what
part number they kick out, I'd be glad to do so.
(probably better to PM me than to clog up the thread, but you could post instead)
I'd be greatful if you could tell me what color coding marks are on your
springs so I can correlate the spring part #s to the color coding eventually.
and then on the spring table, you can select what optional equipment is on the car, and
it tells you the part numbers of the front and rear springs for that application. The results
(of hypothetical 12/02 cars - my etk only goes up to Dec, 2002 cars) were interesting, as
there's some overlap between the models and goes against things I'd read and posted
earlier. Enjoy (if you're geeky enough to do so):
Here's the current numbers for USA models
Ok, figured it out. I currently have the ETK
that goes up to 12/2003.
The first post was the old springs that only fit
MINIs up to the spring/perch change in 3/2002.
Here's the parts for USA cars after that date:
MC with SS
Front 31-33-6-769-382 or -383 or -384
Rear 33-53-6-763-280 or -659
MC with SS+
Front 31 33 6 769 387 or 388 or 389
Rear 33 53 6 763 282 or 283 or 284
MCS (with SS+)
Front 31 33 6 769 388 or 389
Rear 33 53 6 763 284 or 379
I can't find the part number on my springs, but they're color coded.
mine MC SS+ should be -388 front and -283 rear and they have
2 purple stripes on the front and two grey stripes on the rears.
If there's any interest, I could also post part numbers for
Euro or Canada models including the One and One D
for those of you who may be curious about which springs go with which cars,
it depends on
Model (one/MC/MCS),
Transmission (Man or Auto),
and which of the following accessories are on the car:
DSC
Suspension (none {one}/SS{one/MC}/SS+/{MC/MCS}
head airbags
emergency wheel
sunroof
storage package
headlight cleaning system
foglamps
a/c
auto a/c
Nav system
6cd changer
Harmon Kardon
If anyone wants me to plug this info into the spring table to see what
part number they kick out, I'd be glad to do so.
(probably better to PM me than to clog up the thread, but you could post instead)
I'd be greatful if you could tell me what color coding marks are on your
springs so I can correlate the spring part #s to the color coding eventually.
Last edited by cristo; Apr 21, 2010 at 05:59 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dyeLucky
MINI Parts for Sale
3
Aug 7, 2015 07:10 AM