Asked else where but only got one answer:

So, here's where I'm at: I have an '05 S with about 82,000 miles on it. I've noticed that the ride is getting pretty harsh, so I know my struts are shot. There's no wallowing, but the ride has gotten worse over the miles. I'm now hearing a loud squeaking sound out of the right strut tower when I go around corners. I looked at the top mounts and both are broken in the front. If I put my hand on the body where the struts are bolted to and someone turns the wheel, I can feel the vibration from the squeaking. I figure, I might as well spend a little extra and get Megans or BCs, as apposed to replacing all 4 struts and top mounts. I have always wanted to do that anyway. I have some questions:

1. If I'm only going to lower 1" and I want to be conservative on the camber, it's my daily driver, can I wait and get adjustable rear arms in the future?

2. With the above parameters, will I have to do any trimming to the front mounting holes in order to properly tighten things up?

3. I really want adjustability in the rear. Is drilling for adjustment cables a bad idea in any way? I Also have the OEM amp back there.

3.5 Do the adjustment cables have to stick up through the interior, or can I keep them short and access them through the little doors on each side?

4. Are there any other parts or anything else I need to know. Money is a little tight right now, so I want to do it as cheaply as I can.

5. I'm running 205x55x15s with 40 offset wheels, will I need any spacers in the front wheels?

Thanks for all your help,
Shawn

 

1 yes but lower = more camber = more traction = more tire wear

3 drilling has its risks. Most find acceptable. Where you need to put the hole should have minimal affect.

3.5 my hand wouldnt fit past the amp in the pocket to reach adjuster

 

I would recommend getting a higher-quality coilover setup or you're going to end up in the same position you are today withing 12 months.

 

Iv'e read about a lot of happy people who have the BCs. What problems am I going to have within 12 months?

 

If you get a year out of them before they leak and fail, consider yourself lucky.

 

Can you point me to some reviews that confirm that?

 

I'm giving you my review, based upon owning a shop that has worked on MINIs, all day, every day, for more than a decade. The price is good, so they sell relatively well. I'm not disparaging one brand to sell you another. I encourage you to go to the vendor that you were going to buy the BCs from and get a good quality coilover set. I'm just giving you information: you can do with it what you want.

 

Is your shop in So Cal?

 

No, West Philly, but same thing, right?

 

I wish you were out here.

Have you ever drilled the rears for the adjusters?

 

Yup. It's not as scary as it seems. Just be sure to put some touch-up paint or nail polish on the exposed metal.

 

Thanks. I want Hotchkis to do the install for me. They are about an hour away from me. Do you sell anything better at a similar price? What about Tein?

 

We have ST coilovers for $895. STs are basically KW variant 1's that are steel, not stainless. Good stuff.

 

adjustability?

 

Sorry to hijack this thread. But how well do they hold up in winters and especially the salt? I live in the Utah mountains and my car is more greyish white than chili red in winter, especially after a good storm .

 

No hijack, that's a good question!

 

I have an 04 mcs with the megan co's lowered about 1-1.25" with 215-40-17, 7.5" et45 wheels and had to install 5mm spacers because of some very light tire rub on shock body in the front.. I think your tire setup would be ok. I dont have adj arms in rear, camber not ideal but no adverse affects with tire wear after 7k miles. I did install the sway bar drop links to better position the bar. I highly recommend drilling to install the damping adjusters. I did not drill through interior panels and can access the adjusters easily through the panel "doors", the cables are very flexible. I painted the holes as recommended and used some firewall grommets.. For normal street driving, the softest shock settings are all i can tolerate and i to have to remove anything to adjust the rears for more spirited driving would be a major pain IMO. Im about 10k miles with the Megans with no issues..

04 R53, Alta 15% pulley, Alta CAI, Alta Exhaust, MSD, Megan Coilovers, Alta Swaybars, JCW Injectors and much more on the wish list

 

Why not go with a Swift/Bilstein combo for similar money and have higher quality components?
And Helix is right, He has worked on minis for the better part of over 10 years, I would listen to him.