I know these springs aren't exactly that low of a drop, but would they require lower control arms in the rear?

 

I think its border line but I opted to put them on with my NMs.

 

Look at us all hanging out here in the 1st Gen suspension section!

I didn't put new control arms on with mine...no issues or weird tire wear. Visually, it could probably stand a little less camber, just a scosche. 14,000 miles, tires still look like new.

Hey MikewithaMINI: those look like Koni Yellows? How'd you like them compared to the originals (I'm guessing...or what was on there before). Thanks, just curious.

 

There seems to be no general answer to this question that I can find. I've been trying to find out for a long time. I've seen cars on NM springs without control arms and the camber is perfect but I've seen others cars of the same model year lowered and require control arms.

I think they're right on the edge like Mike said and tiny variances in the cars determine if you'll need them or not.

 

I didn't have a lot of tire left and knew I'd be replacing them pretty soon anyway, but I did not want to burn through tires going to and from work. Love the new Yellows. I had the Sport Suspension prior and with the Konis and springs, I can't believe the difference in the ride! Much better handling as well, oh yeah.

 

And here I was excited thinking NM was going to actually make R53 springs... :(

 

I'm not sure how mine are going to look, but I imagine if I do think they're a bit too wide I could always order the parts then.

On another note I was asking around to see what it would cost to replace the springs on the mini and it's insain... I was thinking around 3-400 tops but today I got these insane numbers and hours for labor... Two of these places even wanted to charge 800 to 900 bucks to swap springs... Is it really that hard to replace them or do I just look really gullible?

 

I think that is real high. Basically, you are looking at the same job as replacing springs. I did my job at a DIY day. Tech supervised and he did the springs. You have to break apart the old for the small parts if you are replacing the shock too. Took about 4 hours with LCAs and sway bar. I'd say an experienced tech could do it in well under 3. Lots of people do this at home in their garage with rented spring compressors from Autozone.

 

Yeah don't get me wrong I've considered it, but since I've moved I don't have any of my tools except for a rachet set and a few hammers... I've even tried to figure the cost of getting my own floor jack and jackstands, but the padded stands that you put under those polymer lifting points are $70 a piece. Then comes the cost of the floor jack. I'd also need a breaker bar and a torque wrench.

I've never been to a DIY, but I think it would be a great option. Are there any requirements or are there techs on hand to spot people in the garage?

 

I've never been to one either but read about one that's fairly local to me in SLC. You basically just rent the space and tools for the amount of time needed and you have the option to rent a mechanic too at $X per hour if you need them.

IMHO buying tools for a DIY at first does not seem cost efficient because the tools you need can get close to what you would pay the garage. But if you start looking to the future, the second time you use the tools, they're only half the price and it keeps getting lower the more you use them . And if you have a second car, it starts paying for itself even sooner. With the wealth of information here and on other sites it's fairly easy doing a lot of the work yourself, if you want to put the time into it.

 

Plus you might be able to rent tools too that you won't use a lot.