My Mini should be here sometime the end of June or early July and I've decided I'm going to lower it. I'm lowering only for looks, but I don't want to go low, just enough to get rid of some wheel gap. I also want the most pleasant ride that I can get. I know it will be stiffer, but I want the least amount of stiffness (I hope that makes sense). I'll be running 215/45 Conti DWS tires on the Challenge spoke wheels.

I've decided that I'm not doing springs only. I'm going to do springs and struts or coil overs. My goal is only to remove some wheel gap.

I've been researching for weeks now and can't make up my mind. I've never ridden in a lowered Mini and there aren't many in my area for me to try so I'm asking everyone here.

At MOST, I only want to go down 1.2" -- hence the choice of NM Springs. I've read many great reviews.

My choices:

1. NM + Koni -- I'm just about sold on this combo, except, the Koni's seem to be really expensive. The combo together will cost a little over $1K

2. NM + Bilstein Sport -- I've never had Bilsteins before and worry that the ride will be too rough.

3. KW V1 or ST coilovers -- The KW and ST are the same. The ST just doesn't have the warranty and the non-corroding finish. The ST only comes with a 5 year warranty versus a lifetime with the KW's. My worry is that even at the highest setting, I'll still be quite low. Can anyone comment? Also, the ST's on the tire rack are only 1100 versus around $1400 for the KW's.

4. H&R Sport -- I don't know much about these. According to the tire rack, they lower from .7 - 1.5". This costs as much as the NM + Koni, but how will the ride be?

 

In terms of a spring / strut combo, the Koni's with the NM Engineering springs will give you the 'dial-in' feel that you want.
Since the Koni dampers are adjustable, you can really have a relative smooth ride (assuming you understand the springs have a increased spring rate).

The Bilsteins, KW V1's and H&R Sports, are not damping adjustable, so if you're not liking the ride, there's nothing that can be done to change it.
However, the V2's and other coilover systems (for a extra bit of cash) have the damping adjustable available.

Also, talk to Dwight as he has been raving on his Koni yellow and NM Engineering spring combo:
* https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rings-fun.html

- Erik

 

I did Konis and I love it. My MINI handles better and set in the middle it is a very comfortable ride. It is a lot smoother then stock. Plus it is a little cheaper then Bilstiens.

 

Did someone mention my name, lol? YES, I definitely recommend the NM springs and Koni Yellows. The springs will make the ride stiffer, but not abusive at all. The yellow's are designed for lowered cars and can handle a 1-2" drop. I set the rear shocks to their softest setting on install and finally settled on 1.5 turns for the fronts. On a recent 5K mile trip they never bottomed once and I drove on some pretty grim roads up in the Bear Tooth Mts. The all around improvement in handling of the Koni's is remarkable!

 

Thank you for the feedback Dwight. I too am looking to reduce wheel gap, BUT, I would love to have a softer ride, but not a plush ride like a Cadillac....something similar to a 3 series or 5 series BMW

What is the best combo to achieve this? I am willing to pay for quality parts, but don't want to waste money trying many set-ups

 

The KW V1 kit is a great. I love the stainless steel body and the limited lifetime warranty. Like you mentioned ST and KW are under the KW Automotive umbrella. The ST coilover kit is a V1 but with a zinc plated housing. It is coated for corrosion resistance and long term durability.It has a 5 year warranty. As stated by another member the ST and KW V1 are only adjustable for lowering height. But the guess work of tuning your kit was done in the KW factory by the engineers.Either kit will give you a nice comfortable better than factory ride quality. Whether it be on the roads of your town or on the track.

I do have the ST coilover kits for $976.65 shipped. Let me know if I can answer anymore questions for you.

 

LOL. You guys are responding to my posts all over this board. I think I've never thought so much about suspension.

By the way, just a plug for these guys. They are awesome to work with. I ordered the wrong kit and I called them and they are sending out the right kit to me. We worked out a deal for shipping and I'm very HAPPY. I'd recommend buying from the Suspension Source for anyone that is interested in the ST coilovers.

I'll do a review with pics once I get the parts installed!

 

When you claim the ride quality is better than factory....will it be softer on potholes, or more rigid to allow for better handling? I have a daily driver that almost never reaches a smooth section of road and I don't want to have a brutal ride, something softer than stock, but not an 80's Cadillac either.

Ideally a coilover set is the best route, but I have been giving some thought to Koni Yellows and Eibach springs....or go with AST coilovers (but not wanting to spend the cash!)

 

I run the Koni Yellows with NM springs and while the ride is slightly firmer then OEM it doesn't bother these 67yr old bones at all. The Yellows are designed for a lowered (1-2") car and have a lifetime warranty. BTW, if I read one more comment about the smooth roads in SoCal I think I'll puke! LOL

 

bilstein coil overs is the way to go... especially if you do not want to lower your car. after a few years of bottoming out with koni's i am back at the stock height and it is so much better... the bad roads in southern california are no longer an issue, dirt roads are possible again and it is so much better in snow!

 

I really need something that will not lower the car too much, can handle a great deal of abuse due to large and frequent potholes.

I think Koni Yellows and a lowering spring are a great option...but does anyone have a good review on various coilovers? Bilstein, H&R, Cross and AST?

What is better between each of those coilovers...also, with the Bilstein, are you using PSS9 or PSS10?

 

Yes in most cases the ride will be better than factory. If you have a rubber band tire then ride quality will suffer. The spring rate combined with the shock KW has designed go perfect together. My friend can haul *** over railroad tracks with his KW V1s. When I have to come to a damn near complete stop in my car with lowering springs.

 

SoCal roads are AWFUL unless you live in Orange County, away from the coast (my experience). LA County doesn't have even a dozen good roads... it's got 10 million people though.

Anyhow...

Bilstein Sports with NM springs were installed today. They are firm. They are BMW firm (last car was 335i and X3 M-Sport) and the MINI now reminds me of those cars. Definitely firm, but in a factory sport option sort of way. When I get on the gas or come to a fast stop, it does not rock. Large gaps in the road are still loud, but they aren't jarring like before.

By the way, I had NM springs on stock struts for about 4000 miles. It really wasn't that bad, but it had its drawbacks, like bouncing after big holes, or launching off of ramps. The Bilstein's solved those things. Definitely suggested from this guy.

 

For your option I would honestly just get springs if you aren't looking for performance. I loved the NM lowering springs with factory struts. It's stiffer but at the same time has a slight bit of bounciness to where it handles and rides better but when you hit a bump or pot hole it seems less harsh. Sounds weird but that's how I feel about them. But after I got a rear sway bar on stiffest setting, road is pretty harsh now. But I'm 20 and am invincible. Haha. Jk. I'm definitely getting Koni yellows ASAP. But if you are looking for what I said, I would just get the NM springs. Btw pics below are 16" wheels with 45 tire profile

NM LOWERING SPRING WHEEL GAP BELOW








STOCK WHEEL GAP BELOW