So I've had my MCS 2010 for 2 weeks now, and I absolutely love it ! One thing that bugs me is wheel/fender gap. It's hummerishly huge. I'm used to low cars, all of my previous cars had lowered suspensions, except for my first Honda Civic, all of them had coilovers so I had the opportunity to try several setups (Civic 95 / Tanabe Sustec Pro, Civic 98 / D2 Racing, Nissan Skyline / Tein Flex, VW Passat / FK Streetline).

All of these coilovers made the car very stiff and uncomfortable. This was never an issue since it was my personal car and I did not mind so much. But the MCS is a joint purchase and my GF already think the stock MCS Sport package is pretty stiff and not so comfy.

So my issue here is that I want to lower the car, but don't want to sacrifice comfort too much. I'm looking into options now and i'm thinking lowering springs may be my best bet. All of the coilover setups i've had made the car uncomfortable. Maybe there is a setup for the Mini that is setup especially for street and is less aggressive. But otherwise, I think i'll just try a set of lowering springs.

I really like the stock suspension, I think it's a really good compromise comfort / performance so I'd like to keep that, but damn I need to get this car lower. So basically if you have any suggestions for me go ahead and let me know.

 

What size tire and wheel ????
That would be the other way to fill the space

 

Currently running on R98 17" runflats. Next year, i'm swapping for non-runflats but will remain on 17".

Anyways, changing wheel diameter won't actually solve wheel gap as the tire sidewall will be reduced and rollout diameter will be in the same ballpark. I don't want to fk my speedo too much. I've been rolling the Passat on 19" and it's just too much so I plan on keeping the MCS on 17", maybe 18" maximum

 

Take a look/research NM Engineering Alpha springs. They will lower the Mini 1.20 " and ride as good as or better than the stock sport spring.


-Steven

 

Check Way Motor Works, http://www.waymotorworks.com/

 

Every time I've cheaped out by starting with lowering springs and OEM shocks, it's been a rough ride...crashing into bumps and just plain harsh...this has been my experience with multiple cars and various makes...somehow, the Megans on my Mini has tamed all that while riding lower than springs without bottoming out...

 

I did, their suspension package is very interesting but id like to lower a bit more. Actually like the way the h&r lower the car but im worried about the comfort part. The NM may be a good alternative, little higher with progressive rate.

 

Im not cheaping out on coilovers, the cost is not what drives me away. What drives me away is the comfort factor. From my personal experience, coIlovers tend to be designed more aggressively and be on the firm side for a daily driver. Thats why im looking into lowering springs at the moment. Unless i can get facts on a street designed coilover setup i may just try that.

 

The H&Rs are are good choice. They provide a 1.4" drop and you do not sacrifice much of the comfort. I would look into a set of adjustable lower control arms too. Here is what a 1.4" drop looks like with 18" wheels with 215/35-18 tires.

 

Almost any coilover set to maximum height will be more comfortable and lower then lowering springs on stock struts.

 

JCW springs + Konis sounds like what you are looking for. It will ride more comfortable than stock and sit 1/2" lower than the Sport suspension.

When people say that their suspension is harsh or rough or too stiff, 90% of the time the problem is with the shocks. Cheapo coilover kits typically come with garbage shocks that are not properly valved to dampen the too-stiff springs and include "adjustment" ***** that essentially do nothing. For the street, you are usually better off with good shocks (Koni, Bilstein) plus springs.

 

- the stock shocks are terrible. poor valving and very little bump travel. lowering the car on them is gonna make things bad.

- all of the coilovers you listed are terrible. stiff and uncomfortable is a bad sign and doesn't mean good handling.

- higher quality coilovers will ride well (KW, Ohlins if you have the money, bilstein)

- replacement shocks with lowering springs will be okay since you get better valving with a Koni or a Bilstein, but you still can't go that low because there just isn't any travel.

If you want to go low, get a good coilover. The Suspension Techniques coilover (a rebranded KW V1 with a different finish and warranty) is a decent buy on the cheap. After that, go with KW V2 or Ohlins or Bilstein.

- Andrew

 

Thx for the info guys !

Any input on h&r coilovers ? There is a guy that sells a bnib set for 600 local

 

That's a pretty good deal. I don't like the springs they come with but that's personal preference. For your uses they'd be fine especially for that money.

- Andrew

 

you don't like them as they are too soft for a "race" application or another reason ?

 

A little soft and progressive. Plus maxed out on height they're pretty low (i prefer a very mild drop).

So that should actually suit you well.

They're a good coilover and easily rebuilt if/when that's needed since it's a Bilstein internally.

 

Need to find something that will make my daily commute a little more comfortable. I am coming to a MINI after driving a BMW 335xi for 3 years. Such a large difference in comfort and my old back is getting tired of the harsh ride in the MINI.

What is the most comfortable coilover or shock set to buy??

 

Swapping from runflat to non runflats will help comfort too if youre willing to take the risk

 

H&R Touring Cup Suspension is something you should really check out. Lowers 1.4" all around, but besides adding stability and handling improvements to your car, the ride is only mildly harder than stock sport suspension.

I have a set I will be selling if your interested, great condition and even comes in original box.

 

I would suggest against lowering the car 1.4 inches if comfort is an issue....unless all of your roads are super smooth. They aren't where I live.

- andrew

 

that's honestly a pretty mild drop. Anything less than 1.4" is pointless, any difference will be unnoticeable.

Besides it's much better to pair a lowering spring with a quality strut (ie, what I recommended) rather than lowering springs on the oem stuff (for comfort).

 

1.4 inches is huge. The car barely has 2 inches of bump travel, and that's with a big ol' bumpstop.

They're good struts for sure...I run Koni yellows, same thing. I'm just saying if comfort is a priority then you shouldn't reduce your bump travel by almost 75%. Run them with stock springs with cut bumpstops IMO and you'll be happier.

- Andrew

 

You should really look at our TSW springs for R56. They only lower the car 3/4 inch, but that is because going lower than that looses too much shock travel decreasing performance and ride quality. Plus we use a linear spring rate allowing better performance while maintaining good ride. Plus that makes them more predictable than any other spring. You can use the TSW springs on stock shocks or upgrade to Koni Yellows. Most people we have get them use them on stock shocks with zero problems. We do recommend getting som Hsport camber links to get your rear camber and toe correct.

 

For reference, here's my R50 lowered around 1.5" on ST Coilovers. It's honestly a little low for speedbumps and driveways. I know some people are scraping frame on VMAXX and DD'ing them, but I'm considering raising it .25-.50" next time it's on the lift.

Comfort wise it's fine, but that's extremely subjective. It certainly ain't a Cadillac!

 

Way, are you now getting good TSW springs in stock for R56's?