I just received my Koni FSDs (mail order). I need to get the mounting appointment setup and was curious as to what labor cost price range would be. I like going in armed with a reference point, not that I fear being ripped off. Also, will the car need an alignment or anything? Thanks!

 

You should figure it by hours of labor, at whatever the labor rate is where you are. When I had my FSDs installed, I had quotes from two shops for 3.5 hours and 4 hours. Alignment was ever mentioned to me. Rates in the SF Bay Area are roughly $75-100/hour. I think my MINI dealer charges $140/hour!

I love the FSDs. I wanted to improve the ride for my wife and child when they are in the car, but I didn't want to compromise handling. The ride improvement is immediately obvious, and I think the handling has also improved.

 

Thats about right. It took me about 6 hours to change the struts and shocks of my old Volvo without power tools and working alone.

The FSDs are awesome, possibly one of the rare mods where there are no down sides! (other than the cost)

 

Anybody installed the FSD's with the stock 05 MCS springs?

 

Per at Grassroots Motorsports (he frequents this board too) installed them on his MC with SS Plus (same as MCS?). Lurk on over there for his impressions.

 

Mine are going in with stock springs (05 MCS). I can't see a logical reason to install with lowering springs due to the average aftermarket spring lowers the car too much for the FSD to work as designed. Not worth the risk and lowering a MINI for street use is not necessary anyway. Just waiting on my H&R rear sway bar to arrive before the install. I should have it all mounted up by the middle of the month, weather permitting.

 

I had the FSDs installed on my '03 MCS three weeks ago, and I must say the ride has improved tremendously! The jarring that used to happen when driving over manhole covers, expansion joints and other road irregularities doesn't happen anymore, and its now a much more comfortable drive. As recommended by Koni, I stayed with the stock MCS springs. Not sure how the FSDs would work with aftermarket springs tho'...

Handling hasn't changed as compared to the standard MCS shocks, and may have improved- although I can't say for sure if this is true! Like Stevie B, I don't want to lower my car, but instead will be getting an 18mm H&R rear sway bar just to tighten up things a bit.

FWIW, Koni FSDs are OEM shocks on the Lamborghini Gallardo, so if they are good enough for the Lambo, they must be good enough for our humble MINIs!

 

Anybody have the opportunity to compare these two sets of shocks?

 

if i had the opportunity to drive such supercar, i could tell you...but it all sounds like an advertising campaign to me. jk

 

Ken, agreed

I would try the Koni FSDs with JCW springs, not a dramatic drop, should work perfect with the shocks.

 

What's the drop?

 

10mm

 

I'd agree that's safe to say it shouldn't interfere with the FSD operation. If free I'd take 'em. How much are they anyway?

 

I'd be interested in the JCW springs to complement the FSDs too! Assuming they work well together, both combined with a good 19mm (or even 18mm) rear sway bar would be the perfect set up that should have been standard on the MCS.