Suspension Show pics of your lowered MINI S!!!
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
I'm still 1/2" away from the fenders (pretty low already) but apparently not low enough like some of the MINIs on this thread. 
With my current setting, I am already having problems with small bumps; I literally feel like I'm in a go-kart. Yes I know, MINIs are giant go-karts. But seriously I feel my coilovers are going to snap or shock housing is going to mushroom because suspension is so tight and low.
How do some of you guys do it? Besides avoiding potholes/bumps and not driving your car.
With my current setting, I am already having problems with small bumps; I literally feel like I'm in a go-kart. Yes I know, MINIs are giant go-karts. But seriously I feel my coilovers are going to snap or shock housing is going to mushroom because suspension is so tight and low.
How do some of you guys do it? Besides avoiding potholes/bumps and not driving your car.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
not the best for handling i know but i never built the car to track. plenty of camber and trimming and trial and error but have no catching now at all.
i am on eibach coilovers still have alot of thread left aswell may try for a few more mm over winter.
i am on eibach coilovers still have alot of thread left aswell may try for a few more mm over winter.
Last edited by m444ssy; Oct 31, 2008 at 11:39 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,337
Likes: 8
From: oh10
What coilovers are you on? Sounds like they're hitting the bump stops if you're worried about snapping something etc.
I'm still 1/2" away from the fenders (pretty low already) but apparently not low enough like some of the MINIs on this thread.
With my current setting, I am already having problems with small bumps; I literally feel like I'm in a go-kart. Yes I know, MINIs are giant go-karts. But seriously I feel my coilovers are going to snap or shock housing is going to mushroom because suspension is so tight and low.
How do some of you guys do it? Besides avoiding potholes/bumps and not driving your car.
With my current setting, I am already having problems with small bumps; I literally feel like I'm in a go-kart. Yes I know, MINIs are giant go-karts. But seriously I feel my coilovers are going to snap or shock housing is going to mushroom because suspension is so tight and low.
How do some of you guys do it? Besides avoiding potholes/bumps and not driving your car.
Edit: or could be the bumpstops but if you have megans/BCs it is probably the spring.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Dang that is nice 
What rims are those?Got any interior shots?
What rims are those?Got any interior shots? 
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
I'm running Outmotoring "Custom" Coilovers - which is basically Koni's with H&R "linear" springs all around. I love the suspension, just hate the unexpected bumps on the road.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Very nice...first time I've seen this paint scheme on MINI. Now we just need someone to post(real or PS) a custom "Alpine White" MINI with gold face BBS LMs with polish lip to represent, and we can all call it a day. 
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,337
Likes: 8
From: oh10
It's probably the bumpstops....coilovers shouldn't feel like they're about to break when you go over bumps. I wonder how much travel those have.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
You're probably right. I haven't measured the travel, but I can see there is not a lot of play.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
From: bryan tx
test it, raise them all the way up and go for a spin. if it fixed your problem its travel and you should adjust accordingly or get a new set up. running slammed isn't worth blowing your coils and riding on such a harsh set up. its easier to just get something that fits the slammed life, like old megan, or kw1
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
test it, raise them all the way up and go for a spin. if it fixed your problem its travel and you should adjust accordingly or get a new set up. running slammed isn't worth blowing your coils and riding on such a harsh set up. its easier to just get something that fits the slammed life, like old megan, or kw1
I never thought of raising the car to the fullest. I will test this coming weekend. Now on my end, could also be the linear springs. Linear springs are more harsh (stiff) vs. progressive springs. If ever I decide to change my setup/suspension, I'll probably start with changing the springs.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
From: bryan tx
what are the rates of springs? the only springs that are harsh enough (unless they are binding also, that I have seen on the mini are the tein coilover springs. those suckers are stiff and still not terribly terribly stiff. It does sound to me like a travel issue, out of curiosity is the ride bouncy everyonce in a while?
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
what are the rates of springs? the only springs that are harsh enough (unless they are binding also, that I have seen on the mini are the tein coilover springs. those suckers are stiff and still not terribly terribly stiff. It does sound to me like a travel issue, out of curiosity is the ride bouncy everyonce in a while?
It's been awhile, but believe 385f, 375r...I will confirm the rate this weekend when I raise the car.
The ride is actually smooth, I get a bounce when the road is uneven - like most lowered compact cars. Only when I hit a hump/bump is when the suspension tighten up (so to speak) acts like a go-kart - very stiff.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
From: bryan tx
I see, don't the koni shocks have dampening adjustment? along with raising the car up and checking if its travel, I would set them at full soft, maybe they are just too stiff for you.. even though those rates are not very bad on the springs, you may have the shocks to stiff for your liking?
btw, atleast from my experience.. if the spring is loose like that it usually wont have much travel as the shock has to compress A LOT to even sit snug with the spring. I could be wrong but if they are set at that height on your car im guessing it is a travel issue.. really only one way to find out though.. raise em :tu:
btw, atleast from my experience.. if the spring is loose like that it usually wont have much travel as the shock has to compress A LOT to even sit snug with the spring. I could be wrong but if they are set at that height on your car im guessing it is a travel issue.. really only one way to find out though.. raise em :tu:
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
cross coil-overs:
Once I put the wheel back on, I was worried I might have lowered it too much, but it worked out great. so far no rubbing either and I'm running 215/45/17s---Still on the jack stands:
Almost the final result... This was immediately after I got it to the ground, after a short drive, it came down just a little more
Once I put the wheel back on, I was worried I might have lowered it too much, but it worked out great. so far no rubbing either and I'm running 215/45/17s---Still on the jack stands:
Almost the final result... This was immediately after I got it to the ground, after a short drive, it came down just a little more