Im a newbie in the suspension world, so don't laugh if this is a stupid question.

Im tired of looking at my wheel gap, and want to lower it and still retain an nice stiff suspension. It seems that the lowered cars I've ridden in have have very slinky suspensions, is that the tradeoff? Can I just swap springs? Do I need new shocks?

What route should I take? I don't track my car, but I do enjoy the nice tight steering and want to retain the original feel.

 

If you want to lower it a little and improve the handling go for our suspension package.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-sus...n-package.html

This will lower the car about 3/4inch, give you a rear swaybar, and control arms. The springs are the TSW springs which have a linear spring rate to improve the handling and make the car much more predictable. The swaybar will keep it flat in the corners, and the control arms will allow you to dial in the rear alignment.
Otherwise you'll be going to coilovers which will cost more and like you said it's just a daily driver so you don't need to get too serious.

 

I read on NAM that someone was going back to stock springs because they didn't like the "slow and low" effect... Is it just a type of spring that makes your ride really bouncy? Why would someone go that route??

 

If you're concerned about ride quality, you might want to look into coilovers. Coilovers probably offer more adjustment than most people need (I don't have them myself but would love to afford them) but you can adjust your ride height to where you want it, without affecting the spring rate. On top of that, you can adjust the amount of damping the shock has, and also swap out for different spring rates.

 

So with coilovers I would be able to adjust the stiffness of the spring? Please explain spring rate & dampening, and their effects felt while driving. Thanks for the help! I told you I was a noob!

 

you can lower your car using only springs and stock struts. The ride will be affected but the S already has a stiff suspension so the difference should not matter much. You have an 03, chances are you need new struts anyway. I think somebody mas m7 springs for sale in the marketplace now for under 100.

 

I have an '04, and how can I tell if my struts need to be replaced? So you're saying that I dont need coilovers (more expensive option) just stock struts and new springs? M7 springs w/ stock struts will retain the stock stiffness while lowering my mini?

Thanks for the help.

 

your ride will stiffen up with lowering springs the only time your ride will loosen up is if you cut the springs... bad idea all around. Any lowering spring should work with your stock struts. As far as your struts go you chould get about 70k miles out of your stuts. your ride will become bouncy if your stuts are worn

 

You certainly do not need coilovers, it's just that if you're concerned about ride height and want to adjust the dampening force exerted by the struts, coilovers give more options for adjustability. You can't adjust the spring on a coilover, but you can replace the springs for ones with different spring rates.

On second thought you can also get adjustable struts like Koni Yellows and also get a set of lowering springs. You won't be able to adjust your ride height other than what the springs give you (probably about 1- 1.5" drop), but you can adjust the dampening of the strut for a better or stiffer ride.

 

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

 

Im new here, i just purchased a mini cooper s the other day. I want to lower it 1inch. will it affect the camber or alignment? Was looking at eibach or tein springs

 

it willaffect the camber mainly in the rear but you can correct it with adjustable rear end links

 

adjustable rear control arms not endlinks

 

Changing the ride height / Lowering will also affect toe. You need an alignment after doing suspension work or you will wear out your tires from bad toe settings.

 

Another option would be MINI's JCW Sport Suspension. I have had that set up on my 03 MCS for over a year now....handling, ride qulality is awesome. Add a larger rear bar and some powerflex bushings and it makes for a nice combo. Adjustable links and CA's are not needed. So far no tire issues or alignment problems.

Initial drop was just over 1/2 inch, now almost 3/4" under stock...With my 16's, I have about 2-3/4" clearance under front Aero bumper.....not always good for around this area for business entrances which tend to be high sloped.