I had Koni FSD's installed on my '06 cooper s almost 1 week ago. I have H-sport springs, new camber arms, 19mm H&R rear sway bar and Yokohama Parada Spec 2's. My previous shocks were JCW. My observations: it seems like the car accelerates better now, handling performance is better, and the ride is better. I know, you probably wondering why the car accelerates better. I guess with the better shocks the suspension puts the power to the ground better. Stability in corners is better too, more confidence inspiring. Just driving the car around town here in Los Angeles is better too. Bumps, pot holes, road irregularities don't upset the car as much as before. Bear in mind, the car is no cadillac, but generally the edge has been taken off the ride, and it does ride softer. I was getting tired on the ride with the H-sport springs and the OEM shocks. The FSD's and the H-sport springs are a nice combo. Oh, and the ride height is a little higher, maybe 1/8" to 1/4".

My thanks to Scott at Central Coast Coopers in Oxnard for an excellent installation. Scott is a great guy, very informative. I didn't have to wait all day, he did the work in +-2 hours, and also let me drive his cooper s (which has FSDS) before the installation. Scott's car is cool. I had a lot of fun driving it.

Larry Clemens from NAM was also very helpful. Thanks Larry!

Paul

 

Welcome to the club!

 

My feelings exactly. I have had my FSD / H-sport combination, also installed at Central Coast Coopers, for about 5 weeks. It seems like the handling and ride continue to improve. Scott, at CCC also installed my PIAA driving lights and I am scheduled for a DFIC installation which includes Scott's custom bracket which limits some of the movement of aftermaket air-to-air ICs.

 

Sounds great!! How much did it cost, parts and installation (for the Konis only)?

Regards,

retroom

 

are u using the jcw springs with the fsd's?

 

Did you even read what he wrote

 

The cost of the FSD's was $630. With labor and tax the total cost was $815. I am using H-sport springs on the car with the FSD's. The H-sports springs lowered the car about 1". The H-springs really improved the overall handling of the car, but the ride suffered with the stiffer springs. I didn't want to give up the improved handling with the H-sport springs, so I took a chance and went with a better QUALITY shock. Like I said, the FSD's don't turn the car into an audi or a BMW. The mini has such a short wheel base that the ride will never be perfect, but it is an improvement for the better.

 

Im 25 days and 3100 miles into my FSD/H-Sport combo, ala Scott at CCC and Larry Clemens recommendations. The set up is awesome!

 

someone mentioned that their ride height raised a little after the
FSD's... have you guys noticed that on yours?

 

Im definitley lower than stock, but did not measure prior to install of springs and FSDs.

 

^^ thanks.. yah, i should've been more clear on my question.

H-sport + FSD higher ride height than H-sport + stock dampers?

 

I thought the FSD's were not to be used with lowering springs? Sorry if this has been brought up before, I don't hang around NAM much anymore.

 

FSDs work great with lowering springs as long as they are not too low. H-sports and H&R springs work great. Scott, at Central Coast Coopers has tried a whole bunch of shock / spring set ups. He recommended the H-sport / FSD combo for my MCS and he was dead right on the money.

 

I isntalled FSD with OEM springs 2 days ago and I also fell my car is higher...

 

Gas shocks/struts will raise any car because they are pressurized. Bilsteins have the highest pressure at 360psi and KYBs are 2nd highest at 280psi. All else being equal, those two brands will raise a car the most (and be the most difficult to install when you have to compress them by hand) compared to other lower-pressure gas shocks, but any gas shock will raise a car higher than non-gas.

Besides being manufactured with different pressures, worn-out stock gas shocks may also have lost much of their original pressure, so it is perfectly possible for the FSDs to be higher than those when they would not have been higher than factory-new stock gas shocks.

 

Kenchan,

Yes, I did notice about a 1/4" increase in ride height after FSD's & Hsport vs. OEM shocks & H-sports. I noticed it particularly in the rear.

 

Well, I bought some used H-Sports from an nice guy here on NAM, so now I need to save up my pennies to go with the FSDs.

Then I'm going to need to get rid of my run-flats.

Oh well, there goes the Kitchen remodel.

 

The handling doesnt feel nervous anymore. The big bumps seem to be much more muted. No more frame shuddering. I drove about 45 miles today with the new shocks, on every kind of road surface. Way better than the ride from this morning before getting the FSD's installed. Huge diff. I noticed that the FSD's did seem to raise the height of the car. Doesn’t matter to me though. I also had a Madness CAI and 15% reduction pulley & belt installed. (dont forget the 4 wheel alignment) Much faster acceleration on the low end and smoother power band now. The whole car just feels faster & effortlessly quicker; like the car is lighter. I would highly recommend getting all three things done. It made me a believer. My cooper is a keeper now. Also, anyone worrying about the CIA whine can put their fears to rest. I didnt really notice it and it wasn’t buzzing in my ears. Thank god. I wanted the power increase and better air flow but I am not into the loud buzzing noises that seem to come with Asian tuners. (I know it's from their coffee-can mufflers)
Almost forgot, Lucky Dog Garage did the installs. I would highly recommend them. After doing extensive cost comparisons for labor, theirs was the best and they come recommended from other NAM MINI owners too. It was worth the drive. I'd do it again in a heart beat.

Bullydog