I scored this kit last December when Alta was having a big Christmas sale.. $600, which is quite a score. For that you get a set of H&R "OE Sport" springs (also available separately), and a set of Koni Yellows, only they're sprayed H&R metallic grey to match the springs, and allegedly custom-valved specific to each kit's application (and they're available for many different cars). They don't even try to hide the fact that Koni makes the shocks - even though there is an "H&R - Made in Germany" sticker on them, the Koni name stampings are still in place, complete with "Made in Holland". The adjustment **** for the fronts is even the standard Koni piece, with their name and logo. So, for $600 (or anything close to it), you're getting huge bang for your buck for some name-brand components.

The kit has quite an agressive drop - allegedly 1.4" all around. In reality, that's about right for the fronts, but the back doesn't drop nearly as much, and it results in a "raked" look, and points your headlights slightly downwards from their stock position. I'd guess the rear drop is probably about 1.1".

When I first had them installed, I twice dialed down more rebound control on the fronts, since it's so easy to do, and I felt that the kit was a bit soft out of the box. I've driven the car about 7k miles with this setup, and while it looks great and ride quality is FAR better than stock, I haven't been thrilled with it. It's bouncy and feels somewhat underdamped, and handling doesn't seem all that great (despite a tire & wheel upgrade at the same time the stuff was installed, runflats banished for grippy Michelins). A few days ago, in an apparent moment of clarity, I decided to try backing off the setting on the fronts a bit back towards their original setting, to see if I liked the ride & handling better. Sure enough, I'm happier now. Not as bouncy or harsh in the front, handling is about the same, certainly no worse.

I recommend this kit for anyone looking to get an aggressive drop at a bargain price, who wants improved handling AND ride quality over stock, and isn't concerned about short suspension travel up front (hasn't seemed to cause me any problems, once the underbody spoiler was removed, which was scraping all the time initially). If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably go with a less-agressive spring (such as NM) and Bilsteins. But this is a nice setup, the price is right, and the look is great.

 

Nice writeup! Thanks for the comments.

 

I'm glad you wrote this up Kevin! I'm looking for about the same drop and was going to have to get shocks anyway. Although Alta's sale is long gone - but for $800 it may be close to what I was going to spend anyway.

Of course, Alta could have another Christmas sale...

 

Here's a mystery that has me baffled. My main gripe with this car is the steering. It's overboosted and numb - like most electric setups. Why on earth they don't offer us a manual rack on such a small car that's practically begging for one is beyond me.

I had my car at the dealer last week to replace a bad USB port. They gave me a '10 Justa automatic loaner. I neglected to hit the Sport button before pulling out (I didn't know that the Justa even had one?) but had already noticed MUCH more heft in the steering than my car has - THEN I remembered to hit Sport, and it tightened up further (as it should). Now it was REALLY much better-feeling than my car. Still pretty numb, but at least some heft. I mean, this was no weird placebo effect, it was a very drastic difference.

Any theories? Yes, I'm on different tires now, but that surely can't account for such a different feel. Different components perhaps? "Upgrade" during the '10 MY run? (Mine's a very early '10, perhaps this was a later car).

On a totally unrelated note, I got out of my car at the gym tonight, just as a big AMG coupe was exiting. The guy stopped behind my car and was gawking at it. As I got out he rolled down his window and asked me "are those real LM's??" "Yes, they are!" I replied. "They look great and your car looks really awesome." Quite a nice compliment from a guy driving such high-end iron.

 

^ Was your car like that before the wheels and suspension with regards to steering?

- Andrew

 

Good question. I replaced both so fast (within days and few miles of purchase) that I don't recall, other than being disappointed early-on. But my "other" car is an '07 M Coupe, which has absolutely fantastic steering so I was bound to take offense to the electric steering initially, no matter how boosted it was.

 

What's the offset on your wheels? I haven't spent too much time behind an R56, but the steering feel on my R53 is fantastic. I'm used to Subarus though which have the steering feel of a sailboat when stock.

The geometry change from that drop could also be partially responsible for the change you are describing.

I know you've heard it before from me but I really do wonder what that ride quality would be like on the roads on the east coast. A 1.4 inch drop is insane IMO for the Mini. I think the quality of the damping from the Konis helps quite a bit on smooth roads but the roads here are so broken up, rippled, and potholed that handling and ride quality would just suck. Our tracks aren't even that smooth.

- Andrew

 

Do you still have your stock wheels? Put them on and try them out. I prefer the steering feel of narrow tires. Of course, narrow tires with small wheels don't look so good...

 

Looks really good and the painted flares look awesome.

 

That's the only theory I can come up with. Offset is 40.

I hear you. Roads here in Phx are like pool tables. Probably the best roads I've driven in the entire country. When I go back to SoCal I'm quickly reminded how lucky I am to have such nice tarmac out here. SoCal is like a 3rd world country in comparison. And having driven a few places back east, I'm aware of how bad that can be too. I'd think that even a stock MCS setup has got to be brutal back there (especially with runflats still in place).

 

It seems to me as I look at Gen 1's vs Gen 2's, that the Gen 1's are naturally lower. I stopped by to see one of my buddies today since he just recently dropped his girlfriend's Gen 2 - with the H&R's and a 1.4" drop. It was noticeably lower, but it really didn't seem that crazy. And he was saying the same thing about the Gen 2's being up in the air like an SUV. Like andyroo, I'm a little worried about the roads around here, but I think a 1.4" drop on a Gen 1 would scare the crap out of me.

 

Offset sounds good.

The stock damping is terrible and I think that is a large part of what I complain about. I'm putting konis on stock springs soon and cutting the bumpstops.

The gen2s really do look jacked up, but I'm afraid thats just the way the fenders are cut and they have the same travel. its kind of a shame...it really does look a lot better with the drop.

 

what size tires do you have?

i have 17x7 215/45 i think.

wondering if this kit will fit

EDIT
wheel offset is 38 whatever that means
xxr 521

thanks

 

The wheels are 17x7.5, offset is ET40. Tires are 205/45/17 Pilot Exalto PE2's.
You should be fine.

 

Any updates on this? Also, I'm thinking of this for an R53, so if anyone out there has it installed on their 1st gen please feel free to pipe in with opinions.

 

At 16k miles now, still have the kit on my car. Not particularly happy with it, it sits too low in the front and I'm on the bump stops too often. I'm contemplating swapping the setup out for NM springs & Bilstein Sports... but can't justify the cost. Might do it eventually. In any event, still FAR happier with this setup than stock, which was horrendous.

 

If you are riding on the bumpstops a lot, check out these guys. I had their kit on two of my Miatas and it made a HUGE difference!

http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_Products_Mini.htm