I've never done any sort of suspension work to my vehicles so I'm in need of some advise as to what type of suspension I should go with.
My mini is my daily driver and I travel a lot and found out today that my struts are shot. I'm hoping to get some info on what would be a good upgrade to close up the wheel gap. I'm currently running bbs style 17x7.5 et 38 wheels with 215 45 17 tires. I'm not really looking to do much other than replace the struts and springs. How much lower can I safely go and what would give a smooth ride? My budget it between $800-$1000 total. I've tried searching for ideas but haven't had much luck. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Going to move you to the Mod - Suspension section. Lots of posts in there on the topic.

Are you going to do the wrenching yourself? A MINI in stock form is a good handling car, add a stiffer rear swaybar and it is very good handling car. Once you start lowering you need adjustable camber in the front and some adjustable rear control arms to save your tires.

 

Thanks! I thought there was a section but I couldn't remember where. Yea I'll be doing the work myself. The thought of changing from stock to something else was just because I blew out a strut. I'm not so much interested in lowering it, I'm just trying to see if there were any other options that may be better than stock.

 

If you want to lower it and still have it ride well a set of our TSW springs with Koni yellows makes a great combo, and will also make it handle so much better and be much more predictable. TSW springs only lower the car approx 3/4 inch. so that is part of how they ride well. Most lowering springs lower it more and that reduces shock travel so much the shock can't dampen causing a harsher ride.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-mi...e-springs.html

https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-y...rt-shocks.html



If you decide not to lower I would just go with the Koni FSDs as they ride great.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html

 

How many miles on the car? If the struts are worn out then would think that some of the bushings are also going if not gone.

 

There's about 180k miles. Yea I'm planning on replacing the inner ball joints and the inner bushings. I did the outer ball joints last weekend. I figured they are all due for replacement.

 

Once you've sorted the struts, bushings, end links, and the other bits, you will have a great riding and handling Mini.

We recently finished a suspension refresh on my kid's 229K mile R53. The struts and springs were original! Talk about completely worn out.

Since this is a commuter, it got Bilstein B4s and some mild lowering springs. I'd recommend the TSW that Way sells. You really don't want to go much lower than stock. I picked up some low mileage H-Sport springs (also lowers about 3/4") in the marketplace in a local deal. After trimming (15mm front / 20mm rear) bumpstops, the ride is great.

It's been about 1,500 since the new struts went in and the ride quality has improved further since the struts are now broken in.

Prudent shopping will get you a suspension done under $1000 easy. Bilstein B4s are about ~$350 set, strut mounts $75, springs (optional) $230, rear lower control arms (optional) $30-250).

Stick with quality parts, no cheap coilovers or cut springs, you'll regret it!

 

I have yellow's on one of my mini's, even full soft they are pretty stiff shocks