Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.

Suspension KW's - Ohlins - Nitron ???

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Old 10-14-2018, 08:27 AM
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KW's - Ohlins - Nitron ???

I have Bilstein B14's with less than 40,000km on them. The first year I did use them for about 3,000km in the winter as my winter 4x4 was waiting for parts. The nice shiny galvanized coating on the body immediately turned to rust red. Could not even clean them up. Now the top of the front chrome inner tube is rusted and pitting. One shock is leaking and knocking. Needless to say no more Bilstein's for me.
What are your favorite struts ? How is the durability ? I'd try any of the above and maybe others.
Thanks
 
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Old 10-26-2018, 07:46 PM
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I have had Ohlins R&Ts on my daily driver (plus several track days) for about 50K miles. Very happy with them.

Edit: There's a thread about the Ohlins, do a search. : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-the-r56.html
 
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Old 10-28-2018, 11:51 AM
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Thanks for that link and info !! That was a lot of reading but there was a lot of really good info there. I think that due to that thread and my Ohlins experience with my bikes that's the direction I'll go in. With my bigger front bar it may require a spring change but it still sounds worth it all.
Cheers
 
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Old 10-29-2018, 05:24 PM
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I have KW club sport and KW V3 on two of my MINIs and one R56 has Ohlins, as a heads up the Ohlins do not go very low if that is important to you.
 
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Old 10-29-2018, 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Alpha Motoring
I have KW club sport and KW V3 on two of my MINIs and one R56 has Ohlins, as a heads up the Ohlins do not go very low if that is important to you.
Any comments on the differences between the clubsports, V3s, and Ohlins?

BTW, I got about a 1" drop with the Ohlins.
 
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Old 10-30-2018, 08:38 AM
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Thanks for that Alpa Motoring & squawSkiBum. Yes I understand that probably a 1" drop is all you can get with them. Right now I have my B14's as high as they will go in the front with the rear height set to suit the my sway bars etc. I'm not really concerned about looks, I just really want the best handling car I can have on the crappy roads we have. I also don't care how stiff it is as long as it doesn't hurt the car itself, but I understand it's all about compromise.
thanks guys
 
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Old 10-30-2018, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by squawSkiBum
Any comments on the differences between the clubsports, V3s, and Ohlins?

BTW, I got about a 1" drop with the Ohlins.
+1 this is good to know, 1" drop is about the max drop I want anyway.
 
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Old 10-30-2018, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Alpha Motoring
I have KW club sport and KW V3 on two of my MINIs and one R56 has Ohlins, as a heads up the Ohlins do not go very low if that is important to you.
You not using the clubsport on the street are you, heard that's a track only deal. And yes, how about telling us the difference between the KWV3 and your Ohlins, in regards to adjustability, comfort, and handling tightness, which is better
 
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Old 11-01-2018, 02:29 PM
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The KW V3 are softer than the Ohlins in my opinion, I like the fact that I can go lower on the KW without issues. Ohlins specify if you go out of their range on lowering it'll make noise, something to keep in mind. If you want to go anymore than 1" consider the KW, you'll be happier if you want to go low.

I use the clubsports on the street, no issues there. On all of the coilover I run I pair it with Vorshlag front plates and H-Sport arms. If money wasn't a concern I would go with clubsport if you're planning on tracking. It is nice though that the rebound and dampening on the Ohlins are both on the bottom, therefore you don't need to drop the rear struts to adjust it everytime (top adjustment coilover).

Good luck, both great systems.
 
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