Hi guys,

I don't post on NAM much (if at all) but I do read alot of posts and things here. I thought it's start out by introducing what I currently own and what I plan to do with it.

I have an 02 Mini Cooper S with 47xxx kms (yes 47k, not a typo) and babied since day 1, Alta 15" pulley, Tein S-tech mini sport pkg shocks. 17" Rays G-games wheels with 205/40/17 Yoko S-Drive tires.

Looking to probably change my suspension setup (as my wife is complaining about the harsh ride and the pain when going over pot holes). Looking for something more road worthy (I don't intend to track it at all). I've boiled it down to H&R Touring Cup Suspension, or the Koni Sport Suspension, megan/BC/ST coils.

The drop for my current stock/s-Tech combo is too low for my liking and I'm looking to actually raise the car back so I have more of a 2-3 finger gap as opposed to maybe a 1 finger gap as it current sits (i'll post up pictures later).

Any help would be appreciated for a newbie.
Thanks

 

Konis with Swift springs is an option....not too low but they do have firmer rates so they will still be a little firm. Better ride than what you have now. S-techs are way too low.

Koni with JCW springs would be a good comfy option.

The H&R cup kit uses Koni shocks, so it's pretty good, but still a little low for my tastes.

ST coilovers are a good option if you must have coilovers. I'm not a fan of the BC/Megan options.

- Andrew

 

control arm bushings might solve alot of your harsh ride issues.. have they been replaced lately?

 

Coilovers > springs/shocks

 

I was thinking of the Konis as I know people that swear by koni yellows/eibach pro kit but I'm unsure as to how the drop would be like for Koni Yellows + Swift.

My problem is the car sits too low and I assume it's most likely because there is little to no suspension travel due to the S-techs.

I did consider ST coils, but haven't found any reviews of them online for R53 and I believe they don't offer adjustability for dampening if I'm not mistaken?

 

No I don't believe they have been replaced, if ever at all. Looks like I need to do some more reading

 

If you don't mind a 2-3 finger gap, want to still have great handling, but also want a much smoother and comfortable ride, Koni FSD's and stock springs esecially if the wife is complaining about how harsh the ride is. The FSD's will give a great boost in overall handling capabilities and the stock springs will bring the comfort back into the ride.

Also, if you have the funds, ditch the 205/40 tires and get some 215/45 tires, that will soften up some of the bumps as well.

As for the control arm bushings, go to the front of the car and try to kick the entire wheel/tire, (while it's on the ground) if you kick the tire from the front towards the rear and there is a lot of back and forth movement in the wheel, then your control arm bushings are shot. Powerflex Urethane bushings are essentially a one time replacement, but if comfort is the number one goal to please the wife, get new stock control arm bushings as the Powerflex will feel more of the roads small imperfections.

 

^This^ post has a lot of good information. Anytime you have coilovers, you are going to be stiffer than a stock setup. The PSS9s have nice dampening adjustability for a more compliant street ride. I'm not sure that the CTABs will make your ride more compliant, but it will bring back your handling and save your tires from an untimely death.

 

For this car that's usually the case, simply because no one makes a good spring and there isn't much travel in the stock shocks. But there are still some really awful coilovers out there.

- Andrew

 

With those Tein springs you have no shock travel, that is one of your biggest problems with your harsh ride.

Out of the choices you posted I'd go with the ST's or KW V1's.

I've had several customers that got H&R's and complained the ride was too harsh so I don't recommend them.

 

When I first bought my '02 it had H&R springs on stock shocks with 215 40s and a super tight, but harsh ride - wife not happy. Then I installed Koni yellows with the same H&R springs and the same tires. Not quite as harsh and a pinky finger higher ride hight - wife couldn't really tell, still not happy. Now I have 215 45s and the other mods - wife won't let me drive
I really love the mix of supple yet sporty ride - no loss of performance and a big gain in comfort.

 

Nice ride!
I have the exact same colour combination.

Thank god I don't have that problem since I got her a car that she can drive so I can drive my mini (she doesn't drive manual).

How's the height of your Koni Yellows + H&R setup? Preferably, I would only be looking for a 1" drop. Which is why I'm a bit weary to look at spring/shock combos since I have won't have much control over the drops

 

Could you PM me some pricing for the ST's? Is there NAM discounts?

Or I guess I could check over the marketplace I guess?

 

the price on our website is the lowest allowed by KW, they have a very strict price policy so everyone has them for the same price.

 

How about trying out some OEM shocks with TSW springs? I have been running that setup for years and it rides great, looks dharp, and has performed very well. I think that if you invest in nice quality components, then a solid spring and shock combo will easily outperform a crappy set of coilovers. Just sayin...