want the look and performance of springs. i know this for sure is a mod i want but i also am thinking about future plans and know that i want to start taking driving classes and autocrossing soon too. so the question is do i go ahead and lower it now and get other suspension goodies (swaybar, end links, rear arms, etc.). or just continue to envy others a while and save up for a proper coilover setup and corner balancing. also what ill effects could just springs possibly have on my 20k old stock MCS shocks if any. would it be worth it to do springs now for my own self-gratification to hold me over while i save for coilovers?

thanks guys,

disco

 

Discodan,
I'm at the same point you are.
Are the springs a waste of money when coilovers are an inevitable purchase?
I would like to add one question.
Are adjustable lower rear control arms necessary with just the lowering springs?

 

from what i've read and my understanding thus far is that if you want proper alignment and adjustability of camber in the rear while also saving your tires, lower rear arms are a must have.

 

Discodan,
You need to decide what you want to eventually use your MINI for- autocross? If so then what class? By deciding the class you will know if you want to consider coil overs or lowering springs or neither. Does your MCS already have any performance mods that take it out of a stock class for autocross? If so, then figure out which class you are at now and whether it is fine to add either springs or coil overs (much more expensive but adjustable for corner balancing).

No matter what you do once you add either coil overs or springs you will change the alignment settings of your MCS so that likely the toe will be affected and the front and rear camber will be as well. How much depends on which suspension upgrade you choose, the weight of your MCS and your wheels.

In any case if you wish to adjust the front camber you will need to add camber plates to the tops of the strut towers. And in the rear you will need at least a lower pair of adjustable control arms to adjust rear camber. If you do not use these additional parts you will have no way to adjust anything but toe front and rear if you do align the car. Some owners find that after adding springs they do ok but for others the handling and ride quality is poor due to excessive rear negative camber or from toe settings being off from right to left. If negative rear camber is high then the rear tires will tend to wear out on the inner edge so rotating tires frequently would be wise.

If you decide on springs then later add coil overs you can remove the springs and sell them but you will pay for installation each time.

I'd suggest going to your local autocross and talking to MINI owners that have lowering springs or coil overs installed and seeing what they did and how their MINIs are working for them.