Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.

Suspension megans, vmaxx, ksport, st's. help me pick

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Old Jun 20, 2012 | 08:20 PM
  #1  
MINIopoly's Avatar
MINIopoly
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megans, vmaxx, ksport, st's. help me pick

which ones should i get for mountain driving and street drive environments.

im looking to lower my mini for shows but have the ability to raise it for cornering/racing. id like to spend no more than $1100

thanks for your imput
daniel
 
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Old Jun 21, 2012 | 04:50 PM
  #2  
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TheSuspensionSource
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Out of the 4 brands you have listed I believe ST has a better following on the NAM forum then others.

5 year warranty. Similar to the KW V1s. Great lowering range as well. And you can get em for about $980.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2012 | 06:10 PM
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dannyhavok
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Originally Posted by TheSuspensionSource
Out of the 4 brands you have listed I believe ST has a better following on the NAM forum then others.

5 year warranty. Similar to the KW V1s. Great lowering range as well. And you can get em for about $980.
Agree. VMAXX have a reputation for being ****, Megans are a step up but not a lot better, don't know anything about k-sport, but I have and really enjoy ST's. There are big threads here on them, search around. I have them about halfway down (See my gallery for a picture.) and it's pretty low but I don't scrape much even on speedbumps (just the plastic lip.) and it corners great. I do aggressive back road driving every weekend. TheSuspensionSource was a good vendor in my experience, hooked me up with a good price and shipped really fast.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2012 | 06:31 PM
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Out of all those in that price range the Megan Coilovers really come out on top as they include camber plates, and shock mounts, also the valving on them is adjustable. We sell all the brands but the Ksport you mentioned and can say we've had many people buy the Megans and be very happy with them. The ST's aren't bad, but you don't get as much for your money as they are only ride height adjustable and use all your original mounts.
The Vmaxx will get you low, but don't perform near the others.

We also have our own custom KW v2 and KW V3 that are truely for performance.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2012 | 07:39 PM
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Way, whats the difference in performance between the KW V1, V2 and V3? For someone who does not want to mess with changing the feel of a car is the V1 good performance for a 2012 JCW that might see some autocross but mostly street? I did not order the sport or the JCW suspension on my 2012 JCW because with the plans to go some other route.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2012 | 09:38 PM
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+1 on megans. sold my 1st set to another member here who tracks quite a bit. he digs 'em
 
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Old Jun 22, 2012 | 08:46 AM
  #7  
MINIopoly's Avatar
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i think im going to look into the megans, mostly because they come with camber plates(not cheap) and they are more adjustable then st's.
where did you get your megans @ra2fanatic
 
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Old Jun 22, 2012 | 08:48 AM
  #8  
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ive was looking at the megans and i found that their are two colors green and red.
so whats the difference?
 
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Old Jun 22, 2012 | 08:57 AM
  #9  
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k sports are complete crap.
 
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Old Jun 22, 2012 | 10:33 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by MINIopoly
i think im going to look into the megans, mostly because they come with camber plates(not cheap) and they are more adjustable then st's.
where did you get your megans @ra2fanatic
Your best bet is to probably get them through Way. I got mine on Amazon marketplace from a shop in Hacienda Heights, CA. So I could pick them up.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 02:08 PM
  #11  
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Yes. Not for the Mini though. Maybe things have changed.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 02:08 PM
  #12  
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TheSuspensionSource
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Originally Posted by KsportUsa
OP,

I would recommend doing with a monotube design suspension, twintube designs are great but if you are looking for performance monotube is the way to go.

I would also look at something that has features like camber adjustment since I dont think KW ot ST offer these options with their suspension unless you go with the clubsports.
You can use Eibachs camber plates with STs or the KW models that do NOT come with em.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 02:10 PM
  #13  
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KW and ST will not void your warranty for adding camber plates.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 02:21 PM
  #14  
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I just spoke with KW/ST about your inaccurate claim. They have stated that the use of a camber plate with incorrect or extreme camber settings can cause damage to the rod of the coilover. This would NOT be covered under warranty. You can use plates with your ST/KW kit without voiding your warranty.

Get your facts straight
 
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 02:22 PM
  #15  
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Maybe stick to talking about your products. Are you even an approved vendor?
 
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 02:28 PM
  #16  
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TheSuspensionSource
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Rule #6 If you wish to advertise and/or perform market research on North American Motoring, you must be a paying vendor.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 04:19 PM
  #17  
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Now back to the original question please.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 02:39 PM
  #18  
automan21's Avatar
automan21
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Originally Posted by MINIopoly
ive was looking at the megans and i found that their are two colors green and red.
so whats the difference?
I think one is touring and one is street/race. Check their sight.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 02:17 PM
  #19  
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I don't know about the other kits you mentioned, but I love my STs. They are a perfect combo of ride and performance. And the support from Kris (suspension source) and ST(KW) have been excellent. But that's only one guy's opinion.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2012 | 04:16 AM
  #20  
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I too have wondered about the difference in the KW V2s and KW V3s.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2012 | 12:02 AM
  #21  
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BC Racing FTW. $990 Shipped to your door. 30 Way adjustable dampening independant ride height adjusment, and built in camber plates. 1 Year factory warranty and after $90 per replacement strut. Can order any spring rates you want from 6k-12K with custom valving. Have used them on the Nurburgring several times and am very happy. importimageracing.com had the best deal on them when I ordered mine.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2012 | 07:09 AM
  #22  
Gitmoe's Avatar
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Here are the Megans for $845 shipped...

http://www.vexmotorsports.com/Megan-...Up_p_3396.html

I'll be ordering from them soon.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 12:04 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by TazMinianDevil
I too have wondered about the difference in the KW V2s and KW V3s.
Here's a simple break down:

STs: same valving and ride height adj as KW V1's, but shock body is galvinized, and only 5yr warranty.
KW V1: no valving adjustment, ride height adj only, progressive springs
KW V2: adj rebound, ride height adj, and progressive springs
Our TSW KW V2: Adj rebound, ride height, and linear TSW track tested springs, great street ride and super track performance
KW V3: adj rebound and compression, ride height adj, progressive springs
Our TSW KW V3: Adj rebound and compression, ride height adj, and Linear TSW track tested springs, again great ride and even better track performance.

All the KW's are stainless steel shock bodies with lifetime warranty.

We do sell the standard KW V2, and V3 but feel the matched TSW setup is a much better performing option.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 05:49 PM
  #24  
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Way,
Are the TSW springs used on the KW coil-overs a smaller diameter spring, or the same diameter as factory? Just wondering if there is a spring diameter difference between the different brands here, and if that would translate into tire clearance issues with some of the products.

Mike
 
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