I have an 04 cooper non-S without the sport suspension. If I get the H&R sport springs will I have to get new struts for it? Or If I get any lowering springs will I have to get new struts? How about bump stops do I have to cut them? I'm looking to lower it a little bit not slam it to the ground. I pretty much just want to get rid of "the gap" I don't want that tucked in look. I don't mind getting a little harsher ride but not to the point where I'll get bruised kidneys from it though. I'm running with S-lites with 215/45/17 Toyos. Will there be a problem with rubbing? Any suggestions on which springs to get and any other info would be great. Thanks to all.

 

I would also look at the H-sports and the M7 springs depending on how much drop you want.

The stock struts will be just fine with the H&R's, H-sports, or M7 springs. FWIW, I have almost 40,000 miles on my stock struts with the H&R's.

 

H-Sports also come with very detailed illustrated instructions and new
bumpstops. If you prefer to keep your boots on the dampers, then you
will car a part of the stock bumpstops that hold the boot in place. The
ride is a little firmer than stock, but it rides quite well.

I would also recommend checking out www.outmotoring.com Alta lowering
springs. I think they have them on sale too. :smile:

 

I don't know much about the M7 springs, but when the 2 basic choices were H-sport or H & R, H & R springs were known to give more lowering. My MINI Cooper S has H & R springs and has almost 37,000 miles on the original struts. To give you an idea of how low my H & R springs are, I cannot fit my fingers in the "gap" btw. the wheel and the fender flare in the rear. I also have the S-lites, with Yokohama AVS ES100s in 215/45/17. I had a little bit of rubbing the first day (in July) with those tires, and then it went away never to come back. That's been my experience. Good luck.

 

Here is a pic of my non-s cooper on H&R's (its hard to find pics of non-S's it seems)

(the back sits a little higher then yours may because i have been removing weight from the rear and its slowly getting taller back there :smile: )

Stock struts are strong enough to use the lowering springs on them. I personally love my H&R's. I wouldnt trade them unless i went up to coilovers. Although i do plan on getting some Koni's in the future...but thats just for the adjustability they offer

 

 

Good point about the control arms. I had to have rear lower adjustable control arms added as my camber was way too negative and I was getting markedly uneven tire wire in the back.

Some people with springs that don't lower the car as much have skipped them and just rotate a lot. It depends on your car and how it comes out.

 

Hello miniotto, I'm riding on m7 springs and love the way they've been performing. I have a MCS and would say the I'm about a half inch lower than RallyMini all the way around.
I'm suspecting RallyMini is a bit higher because the Coopers are a bit lighter than the MCS. hope I helped, good luck.

btw, I'm running on stock runflats using a 15mm spacer at each corner and do not rub.