Hi,

What is the budget implementation of lowering my 2011 S Clubman by about 1" - 1.5".

I don't run on track. Just wanna make a better look and a bit of improvement of handling in street and do not want much of rear tire wear.

 

What's your expected budget?
Are you wanting a spring / shock package, or a full coilover system?

With either system, you do want the rear adjusting trailing arms that allow for camber adjustment.

- Erik

 

I am in San Francisco Bay Area. My budget is under $1,000 including labor cost and the system. I don't need a coilover cos' I know it will over my budget :-)

 

Coilovers will be your best option. You can get a ST kit for under $1000. You can install yourself if you have the space and tools. The install is pretty straight forward.

 

I would say to try the H&R Touring Cup Kit, it's H&R springs and Koni yellows. You can find it for under $700. I have the sport cup kit on my Clubman and it rides pretty good, the touring kit is about a 1.4" drop while the sport cup is a 2" drop. That would also leave you money for a rear sway bar to make a complete package.

 

You are in SFO. I would leave it at stock height as you will end up scrapping bottom up and down those hills.

Just use the money to get better summer performance tires. You should get better handling.

 

I have the H&R Street Performance coilovers which run for about $1,000 discounted. Although unfortunately it's on national back order right now...I'm waiting for a set for my wifes 2012 convertible. I've been running on these coilovers for 2 years now and EVERYBODY that rides in it is blown away by how comfortable and compliant the ride is. They don't expect the ride to feel better than stock. It looks great and feels great! I have had Megan and Cross Coilovers in the past as well. I have gone the lowering spring route in the past, but running lowering springs will mean failure of the struts sooner...it's better for the long term to get them matched and then you can dial in the amount of height you want as well with coilovers.

 

Octaneguy how are do they perform on twisty roads and canyon carving?

 

I've got a stiffer sway bar, adjustable control arms, fixed camber plates...it corners flat, always neutral, not jarring over bumps...definitely compliant...feels great..solid, confidence inspiring. I keep up with the fastest of those on the club runs who are driving manuals...since I spec'd my clubbie as an auto. I also autocross. Even when I had Cross coilovers, I ran them full soft..I rarely adjusted the dampening on them.

 

thanks for the info. What sway bar are you using?

 

Everybody has their opinions, that is what makes a forum great. You could buy a set of coil overs, which are probably the way to go from a long term buy. But then you would use your whole budget, and have lots of camber in the rear (potentially wearing rear tires prematurely).

If you can spend some money on a pair of rear control arms, that will correct the alignment after lowering.

I picked up a set of TSW springs, dropped the car about 3/4". I then put rear control arms on, a rear sway bar upgrade, and fixed camber plates in the front. I found each of these used on the market over 6 months, and spent about $850. Is it perfect, probably not. But it rides better than stock, doesn't look like a 4wd, and handles very nicely. I would expect that the mild drop will allow the shocks to last.

If I were doing it again, I would probably put the same springs on (maybe NM, they are about 1-1/4 drop), rear control arms, sway bar, and a set of decent tires.

Just my opinion.

Have fun,
Mike

 

I think it makes sense to do it right from the start. Save up if you have to, get coilovers and control arms. That's what I did, no regrets. Quality is appreciated long after price is forgotten.

 

Perhaps...

http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-sus...n-package.html