So Swift took their time putting this spring package together for the R56, and Im sure some of you guys that have been keeping up with Swift has found that they are finally out for the R56. I myself have an R53 and have already posted up a review thread for the R53 a few months back for the Spec R. I was recently informed by Swift that the springs came out for the R56 and was asked if I knew anyone with an R56. My friend just recently bought an '08 I threw it onto my friends R56 JCW. Here are the pictures with the springs already installed. I don't have any pictures of them installing the springs onto the car, sorry.







The ride is very comfortable and my friends seems to be more than pleased. In my opinion, Swift did another excellent job in maintaining the proper balance when it comes to performance and comfort.


Since it's not my car I haven't really been able to do much testing in terms of aggressive driving, but my friend has agreed to swap cars with me for a few weeks, so I will give you guys a little more feedback shortly. I will take the car to do some aggressive driving either at an autocross event or a track event in the near future.

The only thing I can really note is that the car rides as smooth as stock, with an obvious decrease in bodyroll. I almost want to say its more comfortable than stock, but I dont know it could just be my preference. If anyone else wants to confirm this subjective feeling of comfort that would be great!

As for the specs.
The springs drop about
1inch all around.

Spring rate
F- 4.5kg/mm
R- 5.5kg/mm

I said this about the Spec R for the R53, and from the numbers so far, for those of you guys that dont want to go through the hassle of adjusting coilovers, or straight up cant afford them, this is the perfect medium for you. It's the most affordable suspension upgrade for the Mini. And the cool thing is its properly tuned out of the box.

I will update as I drive.

 

These with Koni Yellows or Bilstein Sports would be my first choice for R56. Nicely done!

 

Agreed! Bilstein sports would def go nice with these,I have a thing for Bilsteins and I love the fact that they revalve for so cheap, but for now we will stay on the JCW shocks.

 

Swift's Website contains very little info for Mini owners so I e-mailed them with some questions about their R53 springs 2 weeks ago- No response.

Seems like they make a great product but don't offer great customer service...

 

I take it that means you haven't tried to call them. Don't know what to tell you. It might have gone to spam. They almost always pick up the phone. I have been in constant talks through the development of the spring with the r53.

 

Nice pics. I've had a set that Swift sent me for my r56 MCS sitting in my garage for about 3 weeks and haven't had time to install them. I'm going to throw them on this weekend. I'm excited - f250/r307lb linear rates with a just right drop all around. My car is my dd but does time at the track and autox so I'm looking forward to seeing if they perform as I hope they will.

I also run some 235/40 17s on 17x8 TD PR1.2's for track / autoX. I'll be interested to see how they play together.

Swift made it sound like these would be to distributors shortly. I exchanged several emails and a few phone calls to get the details and ended up with a set directly from them. +1 on ninjlao's assessment of the folks at Swift. Helpful and good service, but I also agree that there weren't any details on their website.

 

Finally had a chance to throw these on the car yesterday and they don't disappoint!

Ride height is great

Before . . .



After . . .



They also accomodate my meaty track rubber (235/40/17 Star Specs) Nicely.

Before . . .



After . . .



I have a few roads around where I can drive it pretty hard and they feel GREAT, even paired with the stock dampers. Body roll is minimal, turn is very crisp and much more composed under braking. Tight, planted, goodness. I was thinking I may pair them with Koni Yellows at some point (and I still may) but I've been impressed with the initial feel with the stock struts.

I'll have to dial in the camber and RSB adjustments as I get to the track and AutoX. With the 235 Star Specs on even with the 22mm Madness bar set at stiff I was having a hard time getting the back to come around on public roads, but the camber in the back is pretty substantial. It felt pretty neutral overall. On the all-seasons, I could coax some oversteer out of it. I'm hoping we can stave off some spring snow here in Colorado and I can get it out to the track in the next week or so.

Great springs - it definitely seems like they live up to the performance of the r53 version.

Here's a link to a few more pics of the ride height and install.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6581099...7629193693326/

 

Is it just me, or do those things look suspiciously like progressive rate springs? They're supposed to be linear, right?

 

Those tightly spaced coils will be fully closed at normal ride height and the rest should be linear.

 

thats good to know as I want run the 235 Stars too

 

So it's like a built-in helper spring then? Strange.

 

Yes it works like a built in helper. With a stiffer spring rate along with lowering the car the spring would be way too short. You would need to somehow take up the slack in the shock. So it is actually not strange at all.

 

Here's what they look like under load. (I post the pic and risk indicting myself for not keeping my MINI spotless)

 

are you running adjustable camber links with the springs?

 

Exactly, that's the way a good lowering spring should look.

- drew

 

where do you get these springs?

 

JPMM,

We are located in California, and have the last stock of R56 springs in the U.S. Here is our for sale thread on NAM

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...3-and-r56.html

Feel free to either pm us or email us at Sales@TrackWorxTech.com


-Sean

 

I'll take them!

 

any answers on this?

 

Sorry, meant to reply sooner. As of now no, I haven't done anything with the camber front or rear. I'm debating adjustable RCA's to dial out some of the rear camber. I'm sure as AutoX kicks up for the year I'm going to wish I had them to get the rear end rotating but I took it out to the track last weekend and it feels so dead neutral and planted I really like the way it feels (with the 22mm RSB set stiff).

The other argument against dialing out the rear camber for my particular set up is that I'd likely get some more frequent / solid rub with my 235's on hard compression. If I went away from the wider rubber I'd probably go with the adjustable RCA's with less hesitation.

 

I want some of these springs but must stop spending money...

 

For those of you who missed out on our last batch of R56 springs, I wanted to give you a heads up and let you know that we have started taking pre-orders on the next batch of springs. Make sure you take advantage of our super low pre-order pricing.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...pre-order.html

 

Got mine! Now I'm just waiting for my back ordered Bilstein Sports to arrive. I'm tempted to go ahead & try the Swift springs with my stock JCW shocks. I'll post a review either way.

 

getting my Swifts installed this week ! Hope they play well with my 235 Star Specs

 

What the car should have been from the factory