Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about lowering my R50. I'd like to get a set of Koni Yellows at some point, but it's not in the budget right now. I'm considering the H&R or TSW springs. My stock shocks have 40,000KM (25,000 Miles) on them right now. Is there enough life left in them to handle running just springs for another year or so until I have the budget to upgrade the rest of the suspension?

 

Depends on how many miles you put on your car? Lowering springs will definitely prematurely wear out the shocks. I had the stock springs for around 25k miles then had M7's on my S for around 25k miles, when I went to coilovers the OEM shocks were completely flat

 

Two examples:

I had a 2003 Mazda Protege5. Put a set of Tein Springs on it with 4,000 miles and stock shocks. Traded the car in with 124,000....still on stock shocks.

I currently have a 2006 Mercedes C230 Sport. Put a set of H&R Springs on it at 26,000 miles and kept the stock shocks. Just crossed over 90,000 and I'm still running on the same stock shocks.

Go figure.....

 

Good point! I really don't put a lot of miles on the car. I have had it for about a year, and i've put 8000KM/5000 Miles on it, so not a lot, really.

 

Interesting! It sounds like with my relatively low usage of the car, I should be safe to go with a set of springs for awhile while I squirrel away some extra cash. Thanks for the input guys!

Are you happy with the H&R on your Mercedes?

 

I've heard that the TSW springs actually work well with stock shocks. I'd choose those over the H&Rs.

 

Like others I had a car lowered with stock shocks. car had 30K on it when it was lowered and had 195K on it when i sold it. However due to the limited suspension travel on the mini I wouldn't recommend going too long on the stock shocks.

 

You should be fine on the stock shocks for a year with the limited miles you put on the car. I had H&R springs with stock shocks on my 03 MCS for 45,000 miles. However, after 45,000 miles it was about time for new shocks.

 

Another thing to consider if you have not, is with lowering the rear camber will go more negative put more wear on the inside edge of the tires. You might want to consider saving money for aftermarket adjustable rear lower control arms so you can adjust the camber back to spec after lowering.

 

I picked up a set of factory JCW springs for my R50 and installed them with the stock shocks. The spring pound difference from the stock to the JCW is not that drastic and it only lowers the car about less than an inch. I feel it is a nice compromise until I fit the JCW shocks or Konis. It rides great, handles great and although much more sporting, I can still drive it on normal roads. I sometimes take this car to the track when the weather is raining and I don't feel like getting the WC50 dirty. It even makes me smile when I'm on track even though it lacks the power I'm used to. I like the JCW products, they were engineered for the car, and when I'm on track that's important. Hope that helps with your decision.

 

Thanks for the input everyone, this is turning out to be a very complicated decision!

 

Very happy. Maintained that same smooth suspension feel that Mercedes is know for. I'll definitely be putting the H&R's on my Mini when it gets here.