Quick summary of important stuff:
'06 R53 w/ H-Sport progressive rate lowering springs and H-sport adj rear control arms.
Needed: Replacement struts. Would like the most reliable, comfortable, fitting solution available at the lowest price while still maintaining sporty characteristics.
Budget: $1k in parts, spring replacement acceptable.


The story:
I bought this R53 about 4 years ago with 65k miles on it (I'm at 120k now). As far as I can tell it has stock struts with Hotchkis Sport lowering springs. The springs are (or were) comfy enough for me but the struts are dead and things are getting rough. I feel the car wobbling like a bouncy toy on every bump down the highway. It's been really bad for a while but I've chosen to ignore it due to budget concerns and the fact I had forgotten what a smooth ride felt like.

Just recently, I bought an '06 Corolla for my wife (newly married!) and got a loaner '14 Kia Optima Turbo (extremely sluggish feeling KIA btw). I was absolutely astonished by the ride quality of both cars. The Optima it's expected but a Corolla with 100k miles on it? After getting back in the MINI, it was extremely obvious. It's now to the point where I don't even want to drive it anymore. I'd rather be in the Corolla.
So, I still don't have much to spend but I need something. I would actually prefer to get rid of these progressive rate springs but I'll go for the cheapest most reliable option available to me. I can't go over $1k and can definitely install anything myself. I'm almost to the point where stock springs and struts wouldn't be out of the question but I'd like to look at a slightly lowered setup.

 

Find some stock springs, usually for sale in the classified here. Koni FSD struts, but you need stock spring height for them or they won't last.
Koni's may still be on sale for about $600 and used springs should be about $100. Check for worn bushings and replace with OEM rubber for most comfort.
Tires make a big difference too. You could go for a more touring type like a Michelin HX.
I'm installing the Koni's this weekend. I am looking forward to the new ride. It seems MINI struts fail in a way that they become terribly stiff on large bumps and frost cracks.

 

+1
Also, while you have it on a lift and you're working in the rear member, replace the OEM sway bar with a 19 or 22 MM adjustable one. One of the best mods that can be made. Motoringwerks, listed on the Vendor Directory, has FSD struts on sale for a little less than $600 and Alta sway bar prices are knocked down too. The RSB is on page 1 and the struts are on page 3.
http://www.motoringwerks.com/c-622-r...aspx?pagenum=1

 

@Aspen
Thanks for the input. I replaced the front strut tops about 30k miles ago. The front control arm/sway bar bushings were replaced with powerflex.

I just put on 205/50R17 Falkens on the back a week or so ago. Need to do the fronts soon too. I figured the 205/50 might be slightly more comfy than the 205/45 I had on there.

 

FSD struts and a bigger rear swaybar are a NICE combo....
I went with that..great daily driver setup...still pretty sporty. They ARE progressive...so some track folks do not like that...but great for the street.
Koni YELLOW (sports if lowered) are an option..firmer than OEM...but likely SOFTER than your current WORN/DEAD ones......

 

So are the Koni FSD struts better than the Koni Yellows? I only ask because the Yellows work with any lowering spring (not like the FSDs). If I could easily find and order a pair of stock springs I might go with them with FSDs. Though I'd probably able to save money by not replacing the springs withe yellows (not particularly fond of the progressive rates I have now though).
I'll check the classifieds for OEM springs. Somewhat interested in a TSW spring w/ the Koni Yellows though... close to my budget.
Only have a week or so to get this done before the wife will need the Corolla so I don't want to wait too long to see if I can find OEM springs.

 

Koni FSD are different....not better...
more comfort...
but they are progressive....you said the springs you have are...and don't care for them...
so you would need stock springs...
THE MOST IMPORTANT things with springs is the spring rate....so if you go USED..get ones off a car with the same sunroof/tranny combo...wrong springs = HARSH RIDE.
guessing from your list of MODS...
Yellows MIGHT be more your style....

 

There are stock springs on the board for sale in like the second thread, shouldn't take long. Stock springs will give you more suspension travel, which is always better for comfort. Also the FSD are supposed to be more comfy that the yellows, although I have not tried both.

 

I PM'd a user and posted. Still personally debating on getting rid of the lowering springs. I've been doing 2+ hour long drives a few times a month over the past 2 years and I've just realized that I won't have to do that much anymore now that I'm married. :D
I'll post a photo of my "wheel gap" so you guys can judge what I'd be losing.

 

Ok here's my current wheel gap. I don't know if it's sitting a little lower because of the blown struts or if that's how low these springs really are. The rear tires are 205/50 and the fronts are 205/45

 

Honestly I can't say whether or not it's the progressive springs I don't care for or if it's just a really bad combination I've been running. I see often on these forums that linear spring rates are ideal though.

 

Well I finished by Koni FSD install today. I also flattened the strut towers and installed new OEM top bearings. Flattened my Madness strut tower plates and reinstalled them. I have stock S springs.
The verdict .... Awesome! The ride over large bumps is WAY WAY better. Almost luxury like. Small bumps are now more noise than feel. I can still feel really big bumps like 3 inch deep manhole covers, but even they are better. Man I should have done this ages ago. I was thinking about going to 16" wheels and tires to gain some sidewall, but that is no longer required. I will stay with the 17's.
No more squeaking bearings when turning and even the top rattles less when driving around. I need to get it aligned once everything is settled and then see how the handing has changed. I think it will be good.
The install was not easy. My first screw up was when I realized that I had left one of the bump stops out of the rear right assembly AFTER it was back in the car and all buttoned up. DOH!. The the front left install was terrrible. I could not get the strut bottom into the control arm. Finally had to reinstall the spring compressors to gain enough clearance. This required removing the fender liner to gain enough room. Remember that you can't push up on the lower spring seats with a stick of wood on the Konis or you risk unseating the pressed in seat. Left front was a piece of cake once I had the technique.

My advice, get some stock springs and Koni FSD. Add a bigger rear bar if you want flatter cornering. The MINI is already a really low car and lowering springs make it too low IMHO.



Question is your tire pressure monitor OK with the different diameter tires?

 

OP says he is running H-Sport lowering springs....

KONI FSD's are not compatible with any lowering springs on a MINI even JCW's. Koni even has that caveat on their web site saying so. In most cases they will begin to leak in just a few months....look it up.

Koni Adjustable are not bad, but Bilsteins are the best strut IMO for this application. Couple that with their Life time warranty and it makes for a great combo..

Way at Way Motor Works can set you up. And he sells both, so if you have doubts ask him about FSD's with lowering springs.....

 

We covered that in the thread. OP is considering options including get rid of lowering springs. Based on his replies I think he values comfort more than being lower.

 

If you're planning on keeping the Hsport lowering springs you'll need to use the Koni Yellows, if you use the FSD's you'll damage the shocks pretty quick.

 

I'm currently checking for some used R53 springs. If I can procure them for a good price I'll get the FSDs. If it falls through I'll get the yellows. Either way it's going to be a Koni-Mini.

Way, your input is always appreciated. If money wasn't so tight I'd definitely get the TSW springs with the Koni Yellows. I think that would be very nice.
Last time I was in ATL my clutch hydraulics went out. Tried to get it towed to your shop but you were really booked. Maybe next time I can stop by without an emergency.