I absolutely agree with this.
I had the H-sports a while back and loved them when they were installed, but after 6K miles I began to realize that they were sagging considerably. Looking back I now think that these springs are not a good choice.
If you spend the money on the Konis, then don't make the same mistake all over again. If Victor has a spring that matches the performance of the shock, then that looks like a good choice to me.

I know many here like to go lower, and that,s usually why 90% of Mini owners by aftermarket springs or coilovers. But the fact is that if you actually want a car to perform to it's fullest potential, then lower is not always better, unless some good research is done and some good money is spent.

 

I got some very good help when I was having suspension / wheel issues - there's some good food for thought in here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=56029

 

no problem just send a bottle of something "red".... I see where you live....very lucky

 

As an FYI - because it was brought up - Power Flex has an entire selection of progressive bump stops; these act as progressive springs as the top of the damper makes contact. You can also try hydraulic spring perches for a couple hundred each.

We all also need to remember that tires are part of the suspension system - these are essentially uncontrolled springs. So the character of individual tires will affect ride and handling characteristics.

I was surprised a while back when I found this area of suspension tuning - bumpstops - completely passed my brain. No man is an island


Bad4fun,

I like the Megans very much. PM me if you have any particular questions. I don't want to bore others here.

 

I will be replacing the whole deal and going with a coil over
set-up that is system matched for this car, wheel, tire combo.

The only question now......which one...In the $1000 range or less.

 

Megan...I know, I'm boring everyone. You can set spring height/preload, adjust ride height without affecting spring length, has integrated camber adjustment, has pillow ball mounts up front and can be modified to fit flush under the strut tower to help eliminate mushrooming. Access to the rear adjustments is easy if you don't mind a little extra work during the install. But once done, adjustments are lightning quick.

 

There is another thread going on about Ireland camber plates and some
sort of problem getting full neg. camber because of hitting inside the towers?
Would the Megans have a simular problem? Mind you I have an 04' "S" . This
problem may just be with 05' and later...not sure. In any case how much neg. camber can you get with Megans...I think 2deg or so depending on wheel & tire combo should be enough.....don't you?

 

These Megans are sounding pretty good to me and you should consider them. I very much trust meb's judgment on suspension.
The nice thing about these is that they have a smaller diameter spring and spring upper perch on the front struts. So, you will not have the same problems as those who are using factory spec springs. You'd have to ask meb about max camber, but I think I heard just over -2, which is a degree to short for my taste in camber plates. But -2 is all you might want for street driving and the occasional track day

 

These Megans might be the thing they are on sale $950 delivered in the lower 48....Say I went to your gallery...noticed we have a simular taste in cars. While there I noticed your Dyno result.....sweet. I haven't been back
since the pully party.. I have now added a few other Items: Nology, Pilo coil, Denso IK-22s,
Webb remap, Webb T/B, Alta 15%, Alta Intake, Helix S/Shift, Miltek header, UUC Exhaust...thats all I can think of....? Haven't done the interCooler yet, couldn't decide...BIGGER or WATER sorry should have p/m'd
you this is off the subject.....Whats your Dyno Opinion of what mine might
have for HP.

 

To add something about h-sports sagging. I had h-sports on stock shocks for 50k miles and the last 10k were basically undamped and the ride hight was looking slammed. After installing bilstein sports the hight is back to normal. The mounts were also mushroomed and had some effect, but I don't think your springs are acually sagging.

The bilsteins are 70% of the cost of coilovers, but I think there is something to be had with keeping things simple. Plus I have had good luck with them in the past. They were petty dang stiff when first installed, but have come into thier own after a couple thousand miles.

Before I purchased the bilsteins I considered ditching the soft front h-sports, but I think that flexibility becomes a real plus on bumpy backroad driving when properly damped.

Recently my ladyfriend test drove the car so I could see how it handled. I thought it might not have enought rebound dampening. In short, It looked like a formula 1 car. When she got out I thought I would here the complaints of stiffness. She just looked at me and said " I want this". The car doesn't even move. No bouncing or roll, it's hard to tell how fast it is going. There no signs of it's capability until it turns and you think what the F was that. That and the car staying perfectly flat, but the antenna wagging all over.

That turned into more of a post than I planned. So here is what I should of said. You wil love a properly damped mini.