Hello. I'm going to purchase shocks this weekend for my Justa, and have a question about the KONI FSD shocks. I have a set of TSW springs, which lower the car just about half an inch. After searching the forums for a while, I found some old threads about not using the FSD's with ANY lowering springs, and just as many threads saying they haven't had any issues on TSW.

I'm trying to find out once and for all, are people using the FSD's with TSW springs...and if so, you're experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

If the drop is only a half inch, you'll probably be OK. Personally, I wouldn't use any stock-length shock with any lowering spring. I prefer a matched pair, such as the H&R cup kit (which I run on my MCS), which is actually an H&R spring with a fairly significant drop in front, less so in the rear, and Koni Yellows, OEM'd for H&R with custom valving and painted H&R grey.

I applaud you upgrading your shocks though.. you should find SIGNIFICANT improvement over the cheesy stockers, which suck with any spring, especially a lowering spring. Anxious to hear your impressions after the upgrade. Good luck!

Edit: hey, I resemble that other car, and recognize your handle from elsewhere.

 

I understood that the problem of the FSD/TSW combo was on the 1st gen only, not on the 2nd gen cars. That is what I've read here.

 

The official Koni recommendation is that the FSD's for MINI (both 1st and 2nd gen) should be not be used with lowering springs. Some people do it anyway and feel that it is still an improvement over stock, even if it doesn't allow the FSD's to operate at their best.

According to the Way Motor Works website, the TSW's drop 1" in front and 3/4" in rear (http://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-min...6-r55-r57.html). WMW recommends against using FSD's with lowering springs (http://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fs...5-r56-r57.html).

 

As Vic and talked about this last night, it seems to me that since Koni reps have said not to do it, that should be enough. I'd either go with the Koni yellows or Bilstein HD's (a bit cheaper option)

I've got the Koni sports and am very happy with them.

And yes, Vic has the only Z4 M roady with a Dinan serial number in the world.... He still should have had Steve sign the dash after having Steve drive around NJ in it for 3 hours... Sort of like Carrol Shelby does....lol

 

Yeah, Rich, think I'm gonna just break down and get the Koni sports...as usual! LOL. I've been reading some alarming posts about the Bilstein HD's actually RAISING the ride height! I don't see how that's possible, but there certainly seems to be a lot of chatter about it. The Koni's, along with the TSW springs, and an Eibach rear sway, then the Mini is done...period. Having the Tires installed today....

 

Sounds good. Let us know how it turns out. I would love to hear a detailed ride report and comparison. Comfort and handling.

 

I can do that, in fact I already have. The only difference is I've got the H-Sport rear bar, not the Eibach. Vic drove my car and I think that's what convinced him to get rid of the stock shocks.

See Vic and I go way back with suspensions...lol I think we're on about the 10th variant suspension on his roadster, (I've probably done 7 of them...lol), and he put the TSW springs on his mini first. (seems he just hates wheel gaps. lol). I then put the Koni's, TSW springs, and the rear bar on my "S".

IMHO, all the car really needs now is some more negative camber in front, and a limit slip diff. (it needs that badly...)

 

Thanks for the follow-up. One more question. How is the ride in regards to comfort? My wife will drive the new Mini at least as much as I will.

 

Hey Rich...leaning toward the Koni. I keep reading about Bilstein HD ADDING ride height...somehow. I don't see how, but I read a lot about it. Bizarre. After all this time, I know enough to trust you're instincts. Koni..unless I can clear up this HD/ride height increase stuff in a day. Of course, you don't really get surefire info here...lots of opinion, speculation, and anecdotal stuff...but hard facts are hard to come by. HD's would be easy, as I could just get everything from Bavarian quickly. Koni's, I'll probably order through Eurosport Design. Never dealt with them, but they're right in Atlanta, so should have them by the weekend.

 

Can't help you with the suspension info, but I got my SprintBooster through EuroSportDesign on a group buy a couple of months ago. Good customer service, fast shipping.

 

If you are still thinking of going with the FSDs, Way Motors told me No, No, H*ll No (or something alongs those lines) for using them for any lowering springs, including the JCW springs. I did get them to use with stock springs and there was a really noticable improvement in the ride over the stock shocks on our great pot hole ridden northeast streets. On the street the handling was really good too. But I really didn't like them for autocross or the track. The FSDs were too soft (it seems like they couldn't keep up) and I thought that the stock shocks were actually better for that. There are a lot of posts about using the Koni Yellows and it seems that most people thought there was ride improvement as well as handling improvement. Most said this was at the lighter settings.

Had one dealing with Rurosport Design and it was good.

 

I'm considering an FSD upgrade myself. I'm sensing that they're less useful for "fast" transitions, such as autocross or track....but great overall for street use.
What are people's opinions about turn-in characteristics? Does the MINI still feel "tossable", or do the stiffer shocks make it harder on turn-in?

 

Buy Koni Yellows. End of story =D

 

Not exactly a compelling statement. Why are they better than the FSDs?

 

Not sure what you are looking for...
As I said, compared to stock shocks, on the street, the FSDs are fantastic. Can't say anything about the Koni yellows, never had them. The FSDs performed well even when pushed, on the street. But the street is a lot different than the track or autox. When the car was pushed to the limits, they were too soft. On the street they have a much better ride than the stock, but don't give up anything. As for the Koni yellows, do a search. There are a lot of thread discussion about them. First off, they are adjustable where the FSDs are not. This means that you can make them to be sitffer than the FSDs and you can balance the car. This makes the yellows better for the track. If I was only going to be on the street, the FSDs would be my choice. But for the track, it would be the Yellows. But you really need to do some searches to find the info you want.

 

Thanks. I was actually asking the guy that said to get the yellows, with no explanation. I heard the opposite for the FSDs, especially for the streets. Thats all I'm using them for anyway, no track. I just wanted something a little firmer than the stock shocks, and the FSDs sound like the ticket. The extra comfort is nice too.

 

As with everyone else and after doing lots and lots of thread reading I think the best for my DD will be the FSDs with that being said what else do I need to buy in order to have a brand new suspension setup? I have a 2006 r53 with 125,000 miles I wanted to give Barnaby a "facelift" in the ride department. So far I am thinking FSDs and the Alta 22mm Rear sway. What else should I buy or consider at time of install?