I have an 06 MCS and I am thinking about getting a set of H-sport springs. My suspension right now is completely stock. For those that have H-sports, is it necessary to get aftermarket adjustable rear control arms to return the camber settings to stock? I am trying to avoid any unnecessary wear on the shocks and tires if possible, while also not trying to spend money if I don't have to. Is there anyone that is running H-sports without aftermarket control arms that isn't experiencing any problems? I also have 215/45/17 tires. Will the drop from the H-sports cause any rubbing? Thanks in advance.

 

I'm running them without adjustable control arms. No big problems, but the inside edges of the rear tires are feathering slightly. Of course my old tires did that with stock springs as well.

So while it causes no immediate problems, I am concerned as well about any long-term issues we might experience.

 

not using rods on mine.

 

Are your shocks stock? How many miles have you had the H-sports on for? Have you noticed any pre-mature wear on your tires, shocks, etc? And with an alignment you were able to return the rear camber close to stock camber settings without control arms?

 

No, camber setting will stay fine with the H-sports. If you with the H&Rs, you will need them in the rear as the camber will be about -3 degrees.

 

Another question: Is there any way to get replacement H-sport bumpstops? I am buying the springs used and they aren't going to be coming with the H-sport bump stops? Or will I just have to cut the stock ones?

 

mine are 03 stock dampers (firmer than 04+). they still keep the
car planted even after 18K miles or so. mine was aligned but for
toe only.

 

you can probably order new ones from H-Sport directly or one of their
stores. if not, cut about 25-30mm off the stock bump stops and you
should be fine.

 

Thanks ken!

 

H-sport springs put the rear camber at about -2.5 degrees. I used rear, lower camber arms to dial it back in a bit.

 

i put the h-sports on in the spring.

was fine till they settled a bit

After one summer *which equals 2-3 sunmmers worth of driving for most*, my tires are absolute junk on the inside edges. But the outter 2-3s are still good

I have control arms coming right now, before i switch to my winter tires. no use killing two sets of tires this year

 

Also considering installing H-sports springs that I got from a fellow NAMer. USCfan, I was able to get a set of bumpstops from H-Sports since they are based in Los Angeles. I think they ran about $10 for a set of 4.
Question: Are the stock control arms on the '05 and later models adjustable?

 

I have spent countless hours asking questions like this. If you want all of the answers call Scott at Central Coast Coopers. Scott and Matt are suspension specialists and Scott has used his own 2005 MCS as a suspension guinea pig. He has tried many spring and strut combos. He installed the Koni FSDs with my H-sport springs and I have had a sh#* eating grin on my face ever since. (Central Coast Coopers - 805-487-4748)

 

i have a set of spare h-sport bump stops if you need them. brand new never used.

also i always recommend a set of rear control arms to put the rear camber where you want it. stock is one deg., but you can put any setting you like. i am running 1.8 in the rear, but i am also running 2.25 in the front. somewhere in in 05 they started to add rear adjustable control arms on the MINIs. but you will only get about 1/2 deg each way. it will not be enough to correct it back to stock.

good luck. feel free to give us a call if you need more help.

Chad
Detroit Tuned.

 

I guess I'll have to suck it up and pick up a pair of control arms...

 

Just picked up a set of Alta adjustable rear control arms. Early x-mas present for my Mini!

 

Yes. But only to a degree.

Anyone with an 05+ with a ~1" drop able to get their camber back down to -1.5 or thereabouts?

 

Anyone experience any rubbing issues with 215/45/17's with H-sports?

 

I installed my h-sports on my 2005 and matched my helix arms to stock length, took it for alignment and it was within spec w/o adjusting, so I think a 2005 could go w/o arms

 

Thanks xizor.

 

From my reading, it seems that the need for control arms w/ lowering springs depends a lot on the weight of the car and the agressiveness of the springs. I'm running the Texas Speedwerks springs (moderate drop... 1 inch or less all around), but I hit -2.7 degrees camber in the back because I've got almost every option and I keep the boot fairly well loaded.

I think the basic premise is the lower the springs drop the car, the more negative camber is created, the greater the need to add the rear control arms (at least the lower pair) to dial back the camber to a more reasonable setting.

 

Picked up a used set of H-sports on the weekend, and have the Alta control arms on the way. Can't wait to get these on the Mini!

 

so im ordering some H-Sport springs, after install when i have it aligned is there anything i need to tell them shop? Like does it need to be set at a certain camber? Or do they just try to set it close to the stock settings?

 

Mine were set at -1.5 per side for street driving

 

once you add springs you will need rear control arms to adjust the rear camber. you can set it to anything you like. from 1.8 to 1.6 for more of a race car setting (front camber recommended), or 1.5 to 1 for a aggressive street to stock settings.