Has anyone tried these coilovers?
36 way adjustable - mono tube - rebound adjustable
teflon coated - looks real nice and they make them for the Mini.
http://www.d2racing.com/flash/

Thoughts, opinions, feedback or dab stories?

Thanks

topGearNut

 

They do have some interesting features ... i.e. adjustable lower perch, choice in spring rates.

The question is, are they worth $1200?? I mean they aren't exactly cheap. Most of the well know brands are within a couple hundred dollars (bilstein, H&R, KW, Tein, etc.)



http://www.speedstash.com/d2racing/d...over_kits.html

 

... well, they certainly are perrrdy.

Well worth looking into I think. I may give them a call and see what's up with the Mini S ones. A smaller diam. spring in the front would be nice to get some more camber for the track. Not sure the top adjustment would work with some aftermarket camber plates. Otherwise I think the price is quite good.

 

Just talked with the distributor http://www.d2racing.com/flash/ and spoke with Michele. Very nice guy and I would recommend you spend some time with him on the phone. He may come here to answer questions if you need.

EDITED as I may have gotten this wrong ... sorry

Sounds quite interesting..

Michele, post a hello if you see this.

 

They're just following the typical Japanese convention of using much higher front spring rates.

IMO, they're an overpriced shock made to look the part. Buying off-brand suspension parts to be different or try to save a buck is never a good thing.

 

Interesting read ... http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1157855
Seems like 6k/7K or 7k/8k, front/rear might be a nice balance It doesn't look like the mini coilovers include the top mount or camber plates. Did Michele mention anything about this.

 

D2 has been selling products in Hong Kong for a few years, but are still not very popular in Hong Kong.

Some of the reasons, products are very expensive, D2 are made in Taiwan, and for that price, people can buy German or Japanese made products.

Another reason is that D2 don't last very long, at least not in Hong Kong. One of these reasons is that D2 does not offer their shocks will dust boots ... and dirt will gradually enter the inside of the shocks ... firstly causing noises and then damaging the inside of the shocks. Expect rebuilds!

Another remark ... i found a pic of the D2 Mini Cooper springs.
Notice that the front spring is a lineair spring, unlike the Bilstein or H&R.
One of the big changes that the big names made after 02+ is that the changed the front spring design (much bigger inner spring diameter), such that the distance between the coils of the spring can be wider apart.

This 'old' D2 spring design will in some driving circumstances cause the coils to hit each other while compressing ... This will cause a lot of noise! and will be uncomfortable!

 

a pic of the H&R coilovers ... notice the design of the front springs, wide at the top and then gradually less wide for each following coil ...

This spring is unique for the Mini Cooper (cannot be used on another car), while the D2 springs are just standard/universal coilover springs. All good designed Mini cooper street coilovers have front springs that are specially designed for the Mini Cooper.

 

yes, but those springs are not the best for performance, just better for the street. you also can't get enough camber with big progressive springs like on the h&r

 

There's no need to have such wide springs on the front, you can just swap the springs from the D2 coilovers with Swift springs, and you'll have linear ones with few coils, thus no noise, good ride, and the most consistent spring you can find on the market. I know I'm going to do it when I'll get my PSS9 coilovers.

Anyway, on the D2 coilovers, if i'm not mistaken they are rebranded BC racings...

 

dont forget to buy a new upperspring perch that hosts a 2.5 spring. The pss9 is designed to hold a progressive spring that fits the stock uperspring perch. You will need to buy a camber plate that has a 2.5 upper spring perch.

 

Yeah, i know, but thanks for reminding me TSW camber plates can come with such a perch, right?

 

Im sorry sportek but you are mistaken.
In fact that is exactly the reason why I would not get the H&R coilovers.
-you cant replace the springs too change out the rates
-you are forced to use the stock mounts.

I actually used the D2 on one of my cars before. I drove it for about 50 miles and the car broke down (engine troubles). So then I had to tow it back home. When I unloaded it from the truck, there was shock oil all over the place. So I tried to get them warrantied but they wouldn't take it back.
I really don't know how in the world they blew, but they did.

This was right when those coilovers came out. I heard they changed a couple things and made their coilover better. (but one bad experience is enough for me) I also dont like the way the adjustment **** is not bolted into the shocks but are hex drivers with cool endcaps that just sit on top of the coilovers. anyways thats my experience with them.

 

good question, I have ireland race plates which do. its a very nice upper spring perch too. theres another plate that I know forsure does as well. My guess is the tsw guys have it covered though

 

Well if I don't remember bad the TSW plates have different perches depending on which spring style you are going to use, but I'll have to ask them before ordering...

 

http://www.txwerks.com/servlet/Detail?no=187