hello all, i am looking into getting a set of coilovers for my mcs.
i would like a setup that could be used for ocasional auto-x as well as track days.

i have been searching and have found both good and bad about many brands. i would like some pros and cons on spax, bilstein, h&r, KW, leda is too expensive for me, and anything else in the 1000~1500 price range

also, pics would be very welcomed, and also if we could maybe make some sort of a sticky like the exhaust thread

very sorry for having a repetitive thread, hopefully we can have them all in one thread for everyone to list comments on.

thanks

 

Have you consider Ground Control? They have from full blown race coilover to street/track coilover and just coilover spring kit. Full coilover kit including shocks is running from around $1k to just $399 for a coilover spring kit. You can customize your own spring rate and the type of springs. If you are on a budget, the coilover springs kit is hard to beat for $399 with the ability to customize spring rate, ride height and corner balanced. Since I feel the oem shocks are doing a pretty good job already so I might just do the same as well...here is the url www.ground-control-store.com sub BMW sub Other models

 

[hearsay alert!]
I've heard the H&R RSS coil-over kit is excellent, and is within your stated budget. I've also heard the Spax are of questionable quality, and the KW's are more comfort-oriented.

 

tein also makes a good setup, they have a type basic(height only) and a ss (damper+height), i am considering tein nowadays

also, you might want to consider a set of springs with koni shocks.... they do the permeant drop but gets you damper adjustments!

 

I'm running the H&R's and I love them

 

MTH has a cheap nice setup. The shock adjusts in hardness when driving faster.

He also has a more expensive setup that is fully adjustable like Bilstein and Leda which uses a Sachs shock.

Will post pics soon.

Alex

 

Has TEIN released it yet for the mini? As of two weeks ago it wasn't available.

 

thanks for all the replies.

i was really considering the h&r rss kit, but i was wondering if they had adjustable dampening as well. i kinda want a kit that has that feature.

i was unaware that tein made a coilover kit, i thought they only had springs, i will have to look into those

 

The Bilstein PSS are suppose to be the best with it's 9 way adjustability. They are kinda price at a discounted price of $1700 a set. But for the best you gotta pay!

 

ya, the bilsteins are really nice, but i dont know if i really want to shell out 1700 bux

 

I guess it depends on your needs. I am stock right now so you know what my needs are!

 

I have the Leda's they are great... ride much improved only drawback is they are noisy... you really hear them working

 

ya, from what i have read the ledas are a really nice shock, however they come with a really nice proce tag too.

does the H&R rss kit have adjustable dampening? i think as of right now i am kind of leaning towards those right now

 

Here is a pic (attached) of the cheaper setup from Franz.
Cost should be around 1000$ + shipping from Germany. I will have to check on the price.

Shock is not adjustable but it adjusts automatically to increased speeds and will get firmer.

Here is his more expensive and adjustable setup.
It is a Sachs/Eibach combo which will adjust from +10 to -50mm.

 

Neither of the H&R kits have adjustable dampening. Perfectly fine for street/mild track, however.

 

I run H&R coilovers on my '03 MCS. Spring rates can be described as "harsh" on all but the smoothest of roads (great on an auto-x course though). I found that in order to maintain proper camber and toe, I had to replace the control arms in the rear suspension when I did the coilover install. You may want to consider this cost as well. Am I happy with the coilovers? Yes and no. Yes everytime I take an on-ramp at erm, non-posted speed; no, every time my b*tt aches from the constant pounding while on city streets.

 

has anyone else had to replace the control arms due to camber/toe issues?

 

Hey MGCMAN, I'm running the H&R's and I love them. Did you find that they go lower than the 1.5 that is listed. Mine went like 2.5 and I had to bring it back up. I have one other question for you. To fix the camber, did you replace both the upper and lower control arms or just the lower.. Because I need to fix my camber..

 

Nocivic,

Yea, my car dropped like 2" at the rear and 1.75" up front. The two lower control arms are for camber, the two upper arms are for toe. My toe was actually acceptable with the factory arms, but with the drop my camber was all outta wack (maybe - 2.5 or more). With the RDR adjustable arms, I'm back to an acceptable negative 1.5 camber, but if you plan on lots of street use, go with polybushings and not heim joints. I think H-Sport has some polybushing control arms, which are suitable for street use. The heim joints creak and clack something fierce, My car now sounds like a vintage racer on the road. But boy does it stick in the twisites.

 

MGCMAN,

Hey thanks for the info, I can just look at my car and see the off camber But I'll have her fixed. Thanks again....

 

I have the PSS9's and am really pleased with them. No noise, great ride and fully adjustable. No regrets. You pretty much get what you pay for.

I had my coilovers installed and dialed in by Fabrizio at EF1 Motorsports in Long Beach. The guy is meticulous, much like Steve of Steve's Auto Clinic in Mission hills, a real perfectionist and honest.

For what it's worth I won't take my car to anyone but Fabrizio or Steve.

AMPR

 

i am running KW and these are not for comfort. i love them there good. i have had h&r on a vw gti and love them, they were about the same ride as the KW's on my mini cooper s now. DONT go with ground control there a NOLL OVER there a fake coil over. cheap things.


chris

 

Ladies, Gents, others....

I currently have the HSport springs (wonderful product, BTW) and I'm planning the budget for next season.

Is the difference between the stock shocks and ___insert favorite setup here___ very noticeable? Yes, no? Can you tell me why?

I daily drive the car and autocross 10-15 times a summer. I also have the RDR Camber plates and want to know if I can use a coilover kit.

What is your favorite product? Why?

Thank you!

 

Anyone?

 

call Peter at M7 , he can help you with the type of suspension that you may want

562-712-3270