Ok so I've been reading so much suspension stuff on the forum here my head is spinning. I have come to the conclusion that I don't want lowering springs since I'll scrape on everything in sight.

I am however in the market for some good shocks. The R56 Cooper S suffers from some major squat/dive issues, and just seems pretty damn gelatinous in the corners lately.

I've narrowed the field to Konis. I know the yellows are good because you can adjust them etc, but I'm not sure how often I'd really do that, but I'd like to hear some opinions from FSD and Yellow owners? Why would one be better than the other besides the adjustability? What's everyone's recommendations?

 

If your sticking with the stock springs go for the FSD's they work well, and the ride isn't harsh.

 

Thanks for the recommendation, but I'd like to know a little more. I should also mention I occasionally do some autox, so the adjustability may be something that would be good for me. However since you have to disconnect the rears every time you want to make and adjustment that's less attractive.

I'm worried the FSDs wouldn't shut down body roll as much as I'd like. I've got a friend that bought the yellows on his car, and the ride definitely is not too harsh, in fact I thought it was much better than stock on his M3.

That's why I'm looking for some opinions of people who have used the setup for a few thousand miles.

 

Post deleted - thought this was gen 1.

 

Just an item...

Shocks don't have anything to do with how MUCH body roll you've got. That's a function of springs and anti roll bars. Shocks effect the rate of body roll.

 

I was going to get a sway for the rear (19mm). I did want to get springs also but all the springs I could find so far lower the car >= 1.0" it seems which makes it to close to the ground especially for these awful CA roads. I'd definitely be ripping off the front bumper on some of my favorite roads with a drop that low. I'm open to spring suggestions though if anyone knows a good set that doesn't slam the car.

With that said the rate of the body roll on my friend's m3 was dimished so much it seemed to give the illusion of reducing body roll.

 

How about koni yellows and JCW springs? Anyone do that? or is that just too stupid?

 

Had Koni Yellow's on my R53....loved them

But had them on lowering springs, which I think they are made for

 

Fjork Duf
I am on the fence about lowering too. I have lowered every car or truck I have ever owned to increase handling until now. The JCW out handles everything right out of the box. But like all cars before it, once the honeymoon is over and you start to push the limits you will find bad manners. The pitching under acceleration and braking, the bumpsteer, the torquesteer can be tuned away with lowering and dampers. I have driven cars in the past much lower than this car that do not scrape nearly as much as this car stock. But CA roads are a tick below Mexico's at this point so it would be nice to hear from some fellow Angelino's how your lowered R56 is working for you. On the other hand, I do hear that all that scraping we are getting is really just those 2 little vertical deflectors in front of the front wheels. I hear that if you remove them after lowering, you get less scraping than stock. That would make sense because those are about 2" long and you are only lowering about 1-1.4". Can anyone chime in and confirm?