When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
SuspensionSprings, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
Shocks for the R56 will fit the front of the R53. The rears have a tapered seat on one side of the lower mount that would have to modified. A while back I saw threads with people doing this. I know that Way Motors used to sell a conical washer for installing R53 shocks in an R56. So vice versa should work. Does that help?
Why not go with the Koni Yellows if you can’t do the B8s?
Dumb question: Are the Koni red FSD's an updated version of the gold (not yellow) colored ones? I've seen a few images online of Koni FSD shocks that are gold colored, and more images that are red, and I haven't been able to find any info about the color difference. I'm assuming the gold ones were a previous version? Sounds dumb but i can't find anything explaining the difference...
The new version of the FSD's looks interesting. The FSDs were not supposed to be used with lowering springs, so being able to do that with the Special ACTIVE version is cool. I'm still quite happy with our FSDs, which we've had for quite a few years now. By the looks of it, the new ones might be a little better suited to track use. I never noticed a problem with the FSDs, but others mentioned they don't do as well on the track as the normal Konis do. According to the literature, the new ones should fill that roll better. Very cool.
Thanks for that link, I actually wound up calling Koni directly before I saw your reply, and the guy confirmed that the red ones are indeed the replacement for the FSD. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and get some for my '05 R52 when I have the finances available.
The new version of the FSD's looks interesting. The FSDs were not supposed to be used with lowering springs, so being able to do that with the Special ACTIVE version is cool. I'm still quite happy with our FSDs, which we've had for quite a few years now. By the looks of it, the new ones might be a little better suited to track use. I never noticed a problem with the FSDs, but others mentioned they don't do as well on the track as the normal Konis do. According to the literature, the new ones should fill that roll better. Very cool.
I wouldn’t bet on it.
Most sites that sell them for MINIs
don’t mention lowering springs, a
few say don’t lowering springs them
with the MINI applications, and a
couple say it’s ok but just give Koni’s
generic ad copy for the special active
series in general, not for the specific
application.
Just want to add my thumbs up to the Koni red FSD struts. Just installed all 4 on my 05 R52 MCS, 170k miles. Same springs. Mostly the same rubber parts, it was all good except the front strut boots! The harshness of this go-cart is noticeable reduced over little, sharp edged jiggly bumps, and the handling feels good.
Is there a kit of "soft items" at a 'fair price' that, IMO, should be replaced on any 60k-mile+ shock replacement/upgrade (non coilover)?? Items in RED
Also, is there any better place to get the METAL, 2-bolt upper rear-shock flange, in the aftermarket... $82 for the stock mini part is CRAZY for that part.
REAR
Bump for Tommy,
Here are the parts to the shocks and struts... Upper mounts, jounce bumpers, spring pads, bushings, bellows etc.
Really nice package.... on a street driven car... with an uprated rear swaybar... gives amazing handling... and better performance than most coilover setups or 'adjustable' strut/shock combos because it's not lowered and has more travel to deal with the 'real world" .... keeps the tires on the pavement ... which is good
Just want to add my thumbs up to the Koni red FSD struts. . . it was all good except the front strut boots!
Jeremy
Koni and many other "performance" struts don't come with the strut boots or "gaiters", and if you trim the original bumpstops you have nothing to attach those OEM gaiters to either. . . but there is a simple solution:
Buy a pair of BMW #33526764418 strut washers for a few bucks, enlarge center hole if necessary to match your new struts, and attach your Mini gaiters to them. This will work with trimmed OEM bumpstops, or aftermarket (like the trimmed FatCat bumpstops I'm using with Koni yellows) or the ones that come with the FSDs.
The gaiters help protect the strut shafts from winter slush & gravel, and they weigh next to nothing.
Last edited by Mini_Crazy; Oct 6, 2020 at 10:42 PM.
