Hey guys, and gals.

I REALLY want to lower my car. All of my cars have been lowered. (Bags, coilovers, springs). I've done it all, but I'm very torn on what to do with my r53. I'm new to the mini world but I'm in love with the car so far. In theory I would like to buy coilovers and some ccws and call it a day but I've kinda grown out of the slammed stance scene bro life so I'm torn on whether to just do springs? Or coilovers. I live in Baltimore city now and have about a 45 minute commute. I just want a healthy decent look to the car but scared springs won't be low enough but coilovers would be too stiff...what's your guys two cents? Thanks!

-Tyler.

 

Custom springs? Although I guess the oem shocks aren't happy for shorter springs than the companies can offer(?).
I would buy coilovers anyday. If you don't lower it so much they won't be so stiff either.

 

I'm in a similar boat as you, have put coilovers on most of my cars and currently have another car which is on TC Kline racing suspension. It sort of depends on what you like most out of a suspension and what you can live with on a day-to-day basis. Depending on coilover and shock/spring setup, you can retain most of your ride quality, but any modification will reduce how comfortable the car rides (not that the MINI is remotely comfortable to begin with). From my experience, the more you spend, the more you get (with minor exception). I would recommend a nice, single adjustable coilover that has a lower linear spring rate or a progressive rate. I just put a set of Bilstein PSS10s on my R53 and the ride quality is as good as stock around town. I enjoy the 10-way adjustability on combined compression/rebound and the rates are pretty compliant. I scored big and got a brand new set from someone who ordered the wrong setup for a LOT cheaper than MSRP. Setups I recommend that I've tried on this and other cars include:

-KW Variant 1/2/3 (have owned 2 and 3 personally, 3 is incredible)
-TC Kline S/A and D/A (lower spring rates = more compliant for daily driving)
-Koni
-Bilstein PSS10 (great daily driving or dual purpose coilover)
-H&R Sports/Bilstein Sports (H&R Race owners often complain about ride quality)

Keep in mind that the MINI basically hates being lowered. Fitment with wheels is a constant concern and fender rolling is pretty much impossible due to the plastic fenders. CV axles up front wear grooves over time and different drive angles will cause a very annoying wobble/vibration under acceleration if you "dump" the car. I still have slight wobble with a 1" drop and only 56k miles.

Before you go spend $4k on a set of CCWs, check out something light and single piece first. I put RPF1s on my car and the difference was absolutely staggering. MINIs love light wheels.

I'd love to hear from those who have lowered their R53s more than an inch and have wider wheels and/or tires on the car. Even with my current setup on 215 tires I get rubbing in the rear with someone in the back seat if I go over an undulating bump on the highway and the suspension compresses more than an inch or so.

 

Thanks man, I had KW's v1s on my s4 and loved them, don't really want to spend a lot of money on nice coilovers though if I'm going to be driving city roads everyday and will probably blow the shock in less than a year. Do they make ST coilovers for the minis? Decent reviews? They're like KWs sister company just a little less nice. I think you're rite, I should just do coilovers. Just gotta narrow down to a decent budget one.

As for the CCWS. I'm a huge fan of their wheels and customer service. But again, not gonna spend then money for city living and have bent/chipped/dinged 4000$ wheels lol. I'll keep a eye out for a decent one piece wheel.

So bottom line, minis don't like being dumped and like light weight wheels. Got it.

I should maybe just start a build thread lol.

Final question, is it a no no to plastidip the plastic fenders? Is that doable? Or are the results not very good. I would think plastidip=plastic= fenders rite? In theory. Sorry for asking all these noob questions.

Ps: I love the support of everyone in the mini world, It's nice to see such a active community and supportive. Nobody really bashes anyone and it's not a competition. It's a nice change of pace compared too ie. Vwvortex or audizine or the BMW forums. So thanks guys.

 

Keep in mind that the MINI basically hates being lowered. Fitment with wheels is a constant concern and fender rolling is pretty much impossible due to the plastic fenders. CV axles up front wear grooves over time and different drive angles will cause a very annoying wobble/vibration under acceleration if you "dump" the car. I still have slight wobble with a 1" drop and only 56k miles.


Can you elaborate on why you say the MINI hates being lowered. Your subsequent coments would apply to almost all cars, so what is unique about lowering a MINI?

I have my wife's 05 R53 lowered 1" on H&R Coilovers for HPDE track days. The car corners flatter, ride is a little more nervous for daily driving, but great for the track, being more responsive.

I think ALL cars handle poorly when "dumped". 1" lower with about 1 finger spacing between the tire and arch seems to be a good compromise......in my first hand experience.

 

This threads old, I said minis hate being lowered because that seemed to be what everyone was saying about them. I ended up just going with H&R spring setup with shocks. Nothing crazy, I'm happy with it. Still might do coilovers down the road.

I know all cars hate being lowered. I had a l2001 S4 lowered on coilovers and A bagged '07 gti.