I like the way the GP2 drives but I want it lower? Can I buy used normal R56 Coilovers? Also, I won't be tracking the car,so I want something that can go low, but drive as smooth or smoother than the stock GP2 Coilovers.
Thanks
Mario

 

People looking to slam their cars just to slam it as low as they can for looks can't be asking about ride quality. If you reduce your suspensions ability to travel, you reduce the comfort. Can't be avoided. If you want it to look a little better and ride better than stock or close to it, I'd get a mild drop like NM or Eibach Pro-Kit and some Koni Yellows. If you're of the trendy crowd looking to slam it to the ground and get so much camber half your tire is off the ground, you're on your own.

 

this. i hear the bilstein pss coilovers are pretty comfortable, but what's the point if you aren't going to be racing the car

 

Why do you want it lower it if you like the way it drives? The front of the GPII is actually pretty low with the coilovers fully lowered.

Do you want it lower to look better and reduce the wheel gap? If so this may be easier achieved by changing bigger tyres. The stock GP has quite low profile 215/40/17 tires that leave a big wheel gap. Simply to changing to 215/45/17 fills the wheel gap a lot, and makes the cars stance look better without negatively impacting on handling etc

If you really want to lower it a lot, there are plenty of coilovers that will do it, but you will sacrificing ride comfort and performance

Robbo

 

My GP2 is all the way down and rides nice, I'm only looking for about 15mm more of a drop, not tucked or slammed. I hate wheel gap, and tomorrow I will have 215-40-18 wheels. I just picked up my GP2 3 hours ago

 

If it's just for looks and getting rid of wheel gap, toss those 18's on there ad see how you like it before dumping that kind of coin on new coilovers. the GP2 suspension is quite capable and unless I was extremely competitive on a track, I'd not want to tinker with it if I owned one. Good luck and post up some pics!

 

There is nothing trendy about wanting to lower your car because hot rodders who started all of this in the 50's were heating and cutting coils out of their springs to get them as low as possible. Just because his flavor is to have a low riding car with the best handing ride he can find while doing so does not make him some sort of scrub.

To the op I ran a set of H&R Ultra Low coilovers on my VW Corrado SLC I drove through college and was in love with how it rode and mine was tucking all four tires pretty well. They were not as expensive as Bilstein or KW but I would buy them again in a heart beat.

 

I don't know what the bilstein coil overs use for springs, but is it possible that he can just get a set of 1" shorter springs? I don't know if he will be bottoming the shocks, which can be really bad, or if there is room to go?
If youre happy with the ride, then see if you can buy springs with the same rate and ID, but shorter free length. Just a thought.
I'm assuming that the springs are closed and ground on both ends, so you can't shorten them yourself.
Enjoy your GP.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Got a pic or two? GP2 has a great 'stance' the way it is.....imho.

 

If you want comfort, Ohlins R&T would be the way to go. Slam and still feel like you're rolling on clouds. And when it's time to crank it up for the track, or hit up that canyon click it to stiff and you're ready to go.

 

Pictures won't load from my IPad or iPhone:(. Does NAM have a TapaTalk app, that makes it possible to load from Apple?

 

From my memory, aren't they pricey$$$$$? How much? Is their an option 2?

 

Ohlins are the way to go if you want comfort and performance.

 

How much? Is there only one model?

 

The lower cost option (there are many, but for high-end coil-overs like the Ohlins that are optimized for a good road ride) is the Bilstein PSS10, although they don't have the linear springs.

 

All the high end coilovers are about $3,000. But worth it, believe it or not.

 

A KWv1 might be up your alley. Very simple and yet not totally offensive price for a quality coilover. Yes, $1500 but the really are fantastic and top notch quality. The ride quality is not harsh even with a mild drop.

I would not go cheap on coilovers. You truly get what you pay for with coilovers regardless if you're looking for ride comfort or performance.

I would skip the spring/damper solution if you really want to get rid of the wheel gap. With that option the gap is still noticeable, even with a more beefy tire like a 215/45/R17. The only way to get rid of it is with the coilovers. You will not be dissapointed. Coilovers dramatically improve the ride/handing of the MINI and make it look so much more sleek.

 

Im gonna PM you have a question about "KW V1" maybe you can help me out?

 

The OP has bilstein coilovers already.

The GP comes with high quality bilstein coilovers with custom valving and custom H&R springs. The coilovers on the GP are similar to the bilstein PSS product and KW V1, ie adjustable perch but not adjustable for bump and rebound. However, they are actually a better product than the stock PSS.

What he asking for is something similar, but has more drop. He has already adjusted his stock bilsteins as low as they will go. I don't know that the KW V1 will offering him anything better than he already has??

 

Adding more threads to the strut body? My Friend owns a high end machine shop, and I was curious if I could add 10mm of more threads to the strut body of the stock Bill GP2 coilovers? This would allow the collar that the spring sits on to move downward. Possible?

 

I suppose in theory it's possible, but I would think that you would start pushing the limits of the suspension's travel by doing so. However, I'm not anywhere close to a suspension expert so don't quote me as being an expert lol.