I'm about to install a set of FSDs and I know i'm not supposed to use any lowering springs with them which is why I'm planning to the stock springs. However, are there any non-lowering, performance spring options out there that I can pair to these FSDs that'll give me better performance than the stock springs?

I'm having no luck finding anything. Thanks in advance!

 

I run the FSD's with the JCW springs. They are about 1/2 inch lower than stock. I got my springs last year from mini of south Atlanta.

 

hey thanks for the response man. I had read about the JCW springs...but can only imagine the coin I'd have to drop. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you snag your set for?

EDIT: I just came across this response from Way in thread related to FSD/JCW Spring combination:



Have you had any issues?

 

I wanna say about 400 but I can't recall exactly. I knew i had less expensive options but I wasn't looking to lower it I just wanted better performance and ride quality. I feel like I got both.

 

No issues thus far but I knew the yellows weren't what I wanted. I would go with Bilstiens before yellow.

 

rgr, appreciate the response

 

He's got a GEN1 MINI.

 

Have you contacted someone like Eibach directly? They've gotta have something!

 

One thought...
Springs are paired with a car based on the cars exact weight....different options result in the manfacures installing springs with different spring rates.....
Aftermarket springs are set for an "average " weight typical options....
Hours...or rather thousands of hours have been spent on the track to perfect the rates.....
Lowering springs usually make a car look better (if you like a lowered car), but the ride suffers due to the spring rate issues...some makers have the rates dialed in a bit better than others....but cause they are nonadjustable, true performance divers go for mult-adjustable coilovers.....
If you are looking for a stock or near stock spring, with a decent ride and better handling, imo, the jcw springs are a no brainer....new ones that is....if you buy used...the car should be speced out the same as yours.....(your choice of koni fsd's is the tell, but be advised they are progressive....many folks don't like progressive shocks or springs on a track).

 

I'll be honest, I never even thought to look at eibach...up until now the only names in the game I've heard were NM, TSW, alta, etc, etc. So thanks for the heads up!

Looking into their pro kit, supposedly it's a good match to the fsds. Here's a statement I found on a different mini forum:

"After extensive tests by Koni USA, they have discovered that on some applications the FSD Dampers are not complimented by the Eibach (Pro-Kit) springs. This mainly falls on the larger cars (i.e. Saab 93/95). On the MINI in particular the combination works well, as the spring rates are not too far from standard.

Each FSD damper kit is designed to work around the standard spring set up, which will be the most comfortable. A shorter/higher rate spring can decrease some of the effectiveness of the FSD damper, in the case of the MINI this is not too noticeable."

This speaks to what zippynh said...and between this and the rest of the reviews about the combo...I'm thinking I may be willing to take the risk. by the way, thank you both for the input!!

Is there anybody out there running the FSD/Eibach pro kit set up that can weigh in/talk me out of it? lol

 

I don't know if the Sport package included different spring rates or just different dampers.

Zippy is right, there are different springs for different options on the 2nd gen cars. I thought I read that there were even choices if your car has a sunroof or not, and I'm sure that the rear springs are different for clubby's or coupes/roadsters.

What are you looking for with your spring/damper upgrade? better ride? crisper handling? What tires/wheels are you running?

Have fun,
Mike

 

hey thanks for the reply Mike

Honestly, I was originally just looking to replace the stock struts. My mini just passed 70k miles so I figured it was about that time. Quite frankly it's literally only my commuter car...I don't autocross or track it or anything. I've got a bike for the track and an F150 for my days off. So I guess to answer your question, I not really going into this install looking for or expecting anything...just peace of mind knowing I've got a fresh set of struts lol.

Anyway, then I figured while I was at it, since I was replacing the struts, I might as well see if there's a spring replacement too...hence this thread. I ended up ordering an eibach pro kit last night after having spent a ton of time reading the pros and cons of the fsd/eibach set up...so I feel comfortable enough to take the chance

 

What's the best price you've found for Koni FSD's? I found them on Motorwerks for $649.00, so far that's the lowest I've been able to find. I'm hoping to have them installed at our PDX MINI Club Tech Day at the end of next month, still on the fence about a FSD/Eibach ProKit Combo though.

 

hey dude, I didn't even look around, the customer service from Way Motor Works has been nothing short of outstanding so if he's got it, I'm ordering it. Prices are pretty competitive too...but I did pay more for my FSDs. I think with shipping it came around $700? But that shipping is pretty much overnight, I sh*t you not....it gets to you super fast.

I'm getting my stuff installed tomorrow...and I'm still in the same boat, I know I'm taking a gamble running these springs with it...hopefully everything I've read about the combination holds true and they weren't just flukes. I won't lie...if I absolutely needed this car to get around, I probably would play it safe and only use stock springs as recommended. But since this is just a side project kinda thing...I'm willing to take a little risk. If that makes sense?

Anyway, thanks for the question. Good luck!

 

I think you meant Chick, as I am a female and the MINI is mine!! I had forgotten that Way sells the FSD's, I will check out his sight, thanks for the reminder.

 

oh snip snap...my bad! I saw "RJ" and assumed dude

 

No biggie...R-obert J-ulie, nice to meet you!!
Molly is our MINI, but my DD and my Pride & Joy, my Husband is just not a car guy.
:(

 

haha, nothing wrong with not being in to cars! more money for other stuff! ALOT more money for other stuff. trust me. lol

My wife hates that I spend money on mods...and I'm getting tired of saying "oh I found it on craigslist/ebay...he just wanted a couple bucks".

Sooner or later...she'll discover my lies...and my secret bank account.

haha, nice to meet you too Robert/Julie/Molly, see you around on the forum!

 

FSD/Eibach ProKit Combo was mentioned several times in this thread.

The "Combo" kit exists for some cars (BMW, Audi, VW, etc), but not MINI because the suspension travel is too small. You can get FSD shocks or ProKit springs separately for MINI, but they are not meant to be used together and they are not sold together in a combo kit for MINI.

 

thanks for the heads up rkw. Others have reiterated this caution but it's always rebutted with the spring rate vs spring height argument. In the eibach case, because the spring rate is similar to stock, this set up can (theoretically) work regardless of the lowered spring height.

Additionally, I've read many posts across mulitple forums of this set up working for others. Their testament is why I feel comfortable running this set up.

In the end...I know it's still a gamble...but it's my money to waste right? Hopefully it all works out, but if not...oh well.

 

You can combine the FSD's with any springs. They may just fail prematurely if lowered (might not matter, depending on how long you keep the car).

 

Just got back from getting the set up installed. Not gonna lie, on my way home, I was expecting a night and day difference...but instead I really couldn't tell the difference between stock and this. The same bumps in the highway felt the same running over them.

But then again, I've only been using this car for hwy commuting to and from work. Straight shot both ways. So I don't really have any performance aspects to compare one another to.

Maybe I need to let everything settle a bit? Anyway at least I'm a fan of the slightly lowered look. I was afraid of a 'slammed' look but it's not too bad, just right imo.

Here is a pic right outside PTuning in Manassas where I had to work done (awesome, awesome place btw...I wish every garage had the staff and amenities they do)

 

If the ride quality doesn't degrade, that's actually an accomplishment considering that you lowered it.

FSD's did make a noticeable (not "night and day") difference for me, but I stayed with the stock springs.

 

So which springs did you use with your FSD shocks?

What tires are you using? If they are stiff sidewalled you may be somewhat limited by the ride quality of the tires more than the shocks.

Still, it's not bad to invest in better shocks.

 

Separate Checking Accounts works great for us, I pay for what I want...Mods for Molly of course, and he pays for his Hobby, Miniature Modeling...not something I have any interest in, I don't expect him to understand the things I want to do with/for Molly...so we both win!!