I have custom H&R coilovers on my A4 and they've not reacted well to the climate here in Chicago (they are basically a fixed height setup at this point due to corrosion on the threads).

Does anyone make a coilover setup for the MC that has a stainless shock body?

 

The KW's are, but I'm not aware of any others for the MINI; but I'm sure there must be...

 

You might check Bilstein PSS9 coilovers out ($1580)
http://helix13.com/html/products/pro...ew.php?p=1&h=m

On mine the fronts and rears are stainless steel. Check with Bilstein.

 

Hmmmm, I have some experience with KWs on A4s. They make a good coilover. Is the compression and rebound adjustable on the car with the Mini setup though?

 

for indepdendent adjustment of those, you would need their competition series for which gowest has a set, and likes them very much. the oil in them though thickens-up in sub 40 temps according to him, and that is the only reason i'm not considering them. do a search on kw's, and by poster gowest, and you should find some good stuff. i thought the bilsteins might be also, but wasn't sure...

 

The PSS9s that I have adjusts both for compression and rebound (nine settings). The dials set both (not possible to do compression/rebound separately). Softest settings are fine for street use. Firmest settings are too rough for street but OK for track or autocross. Fronts are progressively rated and rears are linear springs with a helper spring. The front spring can be swapped out for a firmer 350 or 375 pound rated linear 2.5" spring for track use. Otherwise the springs are rated more for street use and they do a decent job.

 

Sounds like a good setup. I'm a little leary of using Bilstein based struts agian though - the high pressure gas design always entails a considerably rougher ride than a comparable double digressive Koni-based strut. My H&Rs use Bilstein shocks and they're pretty hurtin' on Chicago minefield roads.

The adjustability sound like a plus though - how is the rebound/compression adjustable? Is there a cutout in the shock tower of the Mini? Or do you use spanners/screwdriver/whatever through the wheel well?

Also - how do the spring rates generally run in terms of bias Front-to-Rear on Minis, in order to dial out the understeer? In the A4/S4 we always wanted a higher rear spring rate than in front to eliminate the nasty push that is innate to the chassis (my A4 has 450#F, 625#R). However, doing so in a Mini with nearly no weight in the rear would probably make it spin like a top.

 

KW V2's are stainless and a good year round street coilover with height and rebound adjustability but not bump. If or when the V3's become available they would be bump adjustable as well. You might want to contact them at www.kwsuspension.com

As Tony mentioned I have KW's "Competition 2 Ways" and they are sold as "for competition use only". I drive mine on the street but NOT when temps. are below 40 degrees as they get very stiff and I'm afraid I'll blow a seal. It's still unbelievable how well these things ride though when temps. are above 50. Before the 2 ways, I had their V1's on my MCS and the ride was just the same but didn't have the cold weather limitations.

Rebound adjustment is at the top with KW's and bump is at the bottom, so to adjust rear rebound the shock needs to come off. I haven't adjusted my rear rebound since it went on the car but am told that it can be done in 10 min.

KW's "Street Coilovers" come with a front spring rate bias of 55 lbs. Competition coilovers are built to order.

 

Yikes- living in Chicago and this being a daily driver, I don't think I can go with the KWs if they're not suitable for temps under 40 degrees. Thanks for the info though!

 

Keep in mind that's only a problem for their "Competition coilovers"

 

Right, but the V2s are the "competition" ones right? I'm looking for a setup with adjustability and I don't think the Variant1s have any (except for height of course)

 

v2 are rebound only, competition are both but if you dont mind just having rebound then v2 will serve you well

 

I've found Koni yellows (single adjustable) to be very harsh when mated with Eibach's linear rate springs in the 350-400lb/in range, for example.

That written, the folks at Helix told me that the PSS9 set up is noticably more comfortable than the H&R system. Funny since H&R make springs for both and Bilstein make dampers for both...

I also like the fact that the PSS9 set-up accounts for the relationship between bound and rebound, whereas the Koni does not unless you have them custom valved thru Truechoice.

FYI

 

koni and eibach as harsh?

i run the exact same combo and i do not find ride to be much different than stock

 

have you just tried sandblasting the coil overs?

 

This illustrates part of the problem using email and the web; There is some loss of context without facial contact and simultaneaous reverb.

Kyriian, the ride was indeed harsh and a bit uncontrolled with 350-400lb/in springs as 400lb/in springs are at the absolute limit of the Koni dampers mentioned above. But this is my experience. I tried to qualify my note by adding the spring rates. Overall, I was simply trying to illustrate how difficult it is to describe feel. I have my experience, you have yours, the folks at Helix have theirs etc.

 

Agree, and that's why it's quite a crapshoot when you take advice from a web forum without any real world experience in the vehicle with your prospective suspension setups.

I had a couple years reading web forums and sampling various setups before I bought coilovers for my A4, and I'm still not completely happy with them. I can't see myself living with the stock MCS suspension for long, so I don't have the dubious luxury of a long waiting period this time.

 

Too much effort, as it's pretty much in the right spot now anyway, and after this summer I think I'll be selling the car. Would have been a good idea though, yeah.

 

I use to spray mine with diesel fuel before the onset of winter, no joke. an old farmers trick. Parafin wax remains after the volatile portion of the fuel evaporates. Or, just use a suitable lubricant.

 

Maybe, but in my experience, the relationship is inverse - the exact opposite of what something like the PSS9 provides you.

Anyway... I find it curious that the original poster thinks to look for stainless rather than aluminum - a much superior material.

 

Its all a compromise, especially what 'we' here are asking for; a better handling/ride compromise...for the most part. I've always believed that bound should be half to a third rebound. I cannot comment about how the PSS9 system works...what each relationship is for each adjustment.

 

I wasn't aware that they made aluminum shock bodies for coilovers. I'd think that the threads would get chewed up pretty badly given the soft nature of the metal.

 

KW is definately the way to go...

I think you may find this interesting: KW Inox - Salt Spray Test

 

Ground Control uses anodized aluminum for their threaded sleeves and collars.