Does anyone have a strong opinion on who has the best ones? Or any is really okay? Was leaning towards the MeganRacing ones on out motoring for $198 a set. Plus they are blue =p no biggie if they aren't. And will I really feel an improvement with them?

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...r_control_arms

 

Hotchkiss

 

+1, and they're blue too.

 

You will get better tire wear with a lowered mini.....this is the other half of a lowing job that is done properly....will likely save $$ on tires alone a a couple of years....handling improvement is the plus.

 

If you're stock ride height, they aren't needed and I suggest skipping. They add NVH (noise vibration hardness) because of their solid bushings. I lowered 1.2" and put on some aftermarket lower control arms. They were certainly harsh and didn't make much of a handling difference. I was able to bring the camber back to a proper angle (< -1.0*) in the rear with the stock arms, so I sold the aftermarket ones.

 

Op is lowered, see his sig.

I think the main point is how is the car used. If it is track car, I would put in the control arms, otherwise you can skip it.

 

Hotchkiss ftw

 

DITTO on Hotchkiss!

 

I think this depends on the car, from what I've heard from all the owners I've talked to there is a pretty broad variance in the stock rear alignment. I had such severe camber problems that tires weren't lasting 20k miles, so I installed the Megan bars to correct this. They haven't been load, they just creak for a minute or two when I first drive the car out of the garage...

Regards,
John B

 

The amount of extra noise and vibration from new control arms depends largely on what kind of bushings are used. The Hotchkiss arms use cylindrical rubber bushing just like the stock arms, so there's really no increase in noise or vibration from them. Plus, they have Zerk fittings so you can lube them with a grease gun. Many other control arms use Heim joints at the ends, so they're more prone to noise and vibration.

Plus, if you autocross your MINI, the cylindrical rubber bushings in the H-Sports mean that you can compete in STX class (assuming you don't have other mods that aren't STX-legal). The control arms that use Heim joints will bump you up into SM because of the switch from cylindrical bushings to Heim joints.

 

so from what i read, i do not think i will be getting this. i like my camber at -1.75 and they adjusted to this with my stock control arms, and other than more variation in camber adjustment... i dont see how they could really make it handle better... other than last longer or not break as easy. that is really why i started this thread, i felt like it might be a waste of 400 + dollars

 

You don't need to spend $400 on control arms. That would only happen if you bought titanium arms or a 4 piece set of upper and lower. But in reality you only need the rear lower pair which the best Hsport arms are only $239.

Yes control arms will really improve your tire wear, IMO 1.75 camber in the rear is ALOT, The factory adjustment is minimal, but with the adjustable arms you will be able to dial in less camber, and you will be able to get the toe dialed in, because a change in camber will effect toe, I find many alignment shops only adjust the rear camber and skip on the toe.

How control arms make your car handle better all comes down to alignment. That change in rear camber and toe will effect how the rear end will or will not rotate.

 

i was worried about this on my r53 but i just made sure to rotate my tryes every 5000miles and the tyre wear seemed the same as before i lowered it.