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Suspension R53 - MOTD to ATV? Suspension advice needed
SuspensionSprings, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
From: Fulltime RVer - R53 towed behind a vintage 1979 35' MCI MC-5C Saudi
R53 - MOTD to ATV? Suspension advice needed
Long time MINI owner here looking for suspension advice. R53 MCS 265K, original owner. Still love my MINI (Sebby Binks) and he's still a daily driver. He has the factory sport package, but we've reverted to 16" wheels with 195/55R16 given how often we end up driving the MINI on dirt and gravel roads. Sadly, we run now run performance (ha! *eye-roll*) all-seasons as we don't have the space for seasonal tire swaps. This year is an exception as we're wintering in Billings, MT for a contract and put Blizzaks on the MINI just to ensure John can make it to and from the hospital, but I digress...
Special use case and how we drive: We are fulltime RVers. We live in our vintage motorcoach (1979 MCI MC-5C Saudi, a former Greyhound bus converted about 22 years ago) and our MINI comes with us. We tow Sebby on long trips. While we are not overlanders, we do camp everywhere and anywhere (aka boondocking, camping off-grid in remote locations), we can get to on a road (and I use that term loosely). Past locations include everything from fully developed National/State Park or commercial campgrounds to primitive campsites in National Forests, on BLM land, etc. The MINI is our scouting vehicle. If I can get the MINI to a boondocking location, I can almost always get our 35 foot, 32,000 lb, two-axle motorhome there. The roads to choice boondocking locations are typically dirt (gravel if we're lucky) and deeply rutted or washboarded. I don't do roads that advise 4 wheel drive (it is still a MINI and we're not doing the Dakar). Granted, our motorhome has better clearance, but with a MUCH longer wheelbase, it evens out. We usually drive the MINI like grandmas (160K on our first clutch, etc.), get great fuel mileage, and try to take excellent care of our car, however we occasionally enjoy a spirited drive or mountain roads (like MOTD). That leads to our special case....
We're 265K miles in and we need new struts. We replaced the lower suspension in 2021 (OEM, with the exception of the Alta rear sway bar and upgraded end links). Now it's time for the struts. The front are shot (one is starting to leak) and the rear are sad.
We dream of an adjustable setup that will let us dial up or down as needed. Something modest (like the factory lowering my sport setup came with) for daily driving, a touch more aggressive if we are hanging out on some cool roads for a while, and the option to get a bit more clearance (not exactly baja, but...) for the rutted forest roads that the best boondocking sites seem to hide on. We have not found any struts or coilovers that seem to RAISE the MINI. The air systems seem a bit pricey, but we'd consider them if nothing else worked. However we're considering a mixed approach of lifting the MINI suspension and then using coilovers for a way to lower it...
Budget is flexible, $2000?, quality is very important. I don't want to get up with weird geometry that funks things up on a daily basis.
Are we crazy? Opinions...? Are there other good options we know nothing of?
Thanks in advance for advice...
Deb & John
Mods, if interested:
15% Alta pulley
Alta Rear rear sway bar & upgraded end links
JCW injectors & DeatschWerks 65V upgraded fuel pump
M2 Racing Header
Borla exhaust
Ralley lights, factory roof rack & Thule/MINI box
MINIFini tow system
Blue ox tow kit (pulled with RoadMaster tow bar)
Without putting too much thought into it, lift blocks+coilovers sounds like a great way to end up with a car that rides and handles poorly at stock height, but I guess it depends on how much up travel and preload you end up with.
From: Fulltime RVer - R53 towed behind a vintage 1979 35' MCI MC-5C Saudi
Originally Posted by deepgrey
Without putting too much thought into it, lift blocks+coilovers sounds like a great way to end up with a car that rides and handles poorly at stock height, but I guess it depends on how much up travel and preload you end up with.
Sigh... I was afraid that would be the end result. Thanks for your input!
Great direction your are taking your car... Once you get it dialed in with the lift.... it should fit your lifestyle much better and still have the sporty feel you love about your MINI.
The coil-over 2” lifting offering from FlatOut suspension… no lifting blocks… in combo with your larger RSB …. You should end up with a car that actually handles better than stock and gives you the ground clearance you are looking for.
There is a current lead time for these… but not too bad … give em a call rather than just the website.
A simple way to go … and, once installed you can also adjust the ride height without touching your spring preload (best)
stick with your 195/55/16 for good ride and handling character.
You’ll need to get the alignment done after install … and maybe install an inexpensive pair of rear adjustable rear camber rods… the fronts come with adjustable camber plates already.
MY 2¢ .... There is really no way to have a setup ... even an air-lift 'air bag' setup that would allow you to do a simple back and forth height adjustment as you describe (change as needed on the fly).... if you want your tire wear and alignment to be correct.
Even with an air suspension... you adjust your camber/toe for ONE preferred running height.... you can lift for clearance or slam for show... but your suspension settings for camber/toe will only be good for running at one height.
If you want on the fly adjustments... and multi height settings... the Air-lift systems are your only real option... but that takes up car interior space, and costs way outside of your budget when you look at your "all in cost"... Adjustable shocks are only designed be adjusted on occasion and left there.... not back and forth.
Sure that's possible on a $130,000 AMG or Range Rover... but not "on a budget' on an R53.
Long time MINI owner here looking for suspension advice. R53 MCS 265K, original owner. Still love my MINI (Sebby Binks) and he's still a daily driver. He has the factory sport package, but we've reverted to 16" wheels with 195/55R16 given how often we end up driving the MINI on dirt and gravel roads. Sadly, we run now run performance (ha! *eye-roll*) all-seasons as we don't have the space for seasonal tire swaps. This year is an exception as we're wintering in Billings, MT for a contract and put Blizzaks on the MINI just to ensure John can make it to and from the hospital, but I digress...
Special use case and how we drive: We are fulltime RVers. We live in our vintage motorcoach (1979 MCI MC-5C Saudi, a former Greyhound bus converted about 22 years ago) and our MINI comes with us. We tow Sebby on long trips. While we are not overlanders, we do camp everywhere and anywhere (aka boondocking, camping off-grid in remote locations), we can get to on a road (and I use that term loosely). Past locations include everything from fully developed National/State Park or commercial campgrounds to primitive campsites in National Forests, on BLM land, etc. The MINI is our scouting vehicle. If I can get the MINI to a boondocking location, I can almost always get our 35 foot, 32,000 lb, two-axle motorhome there. The roads to choice boondocking locations are typically dirt (gravel if we're lucky) and deeply rutted or washboarded. I don't do roads that advise 4 wheel drive (it is still a MINI and we're not doing the Dakar). Granted, our motorhome has better clearance, but with a MUCH longer wheelbase, it evens out. We usually drive the MINI like grandmas (160K on our first clutch, etc.), get great fuel mileage, and try to take excellent care of our car, however we occasionally enjoy a spirited drive or mountain roads (like MOTD). That leads to our special case....
We're 265K miles in and we need new struts. We replaced the lower suspension in 2021 (OEM, with the exception of the Alta rear sway bar and upgraded end links). Now it's time for the struts. The front are shot (one is starting to leak) and the rear are sad.
We dream of an adjustable setup that will let us dial up or down as needed. Something modest (like the factory lowering my sport setup came with) for daily driving, a touch more aggressive if we are hanging out on some cool roads for a while, and the option to get a bit more clearance (not exactly baja, but...) for the rutted forest roads that the best boondocking sites seem to hide on. We have not found any struts or coilovers that seem to RAISE the MINI. The air systems seem a bit pricey, but we'd consider them if nothing else worked. However we're considering a mixed approach of lifting the MINI suspension and then using coilovers for a way to lower it...
Budget is flexible, $2000?, quality is very important. I don't want to get up with weird geometry that funks things up on a daily basis.
Are we crazy? Opinions...? Are there other good options we know nothing of?
Thanks in advance for advice...
Deb & John
Mods, if interested:
15% Alta pulley
Alta Rear rear sway bar & upgraded end links
JCW injectors & DeatschWerks 65V upgraded fuel pump
M2 Racing Header
Borla exhaust
Ralley lights, factory roof rack & Thule/MINI box
MINIFini tow system
Blue<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->grade miners review ox tow kit (pulled with RoadMaster tow bar)
When it comes to ATV suspension, there are several factors to consider, such as the type of riding you do, your weight, and the terrain you typically encounter.
