I just replaced my stock suspension and thought some of you might be interested in my impressions. I am now running Texas Speedworks springs, Koni FSDs, M7 STB, H-Sport rear sway bar and rear end links.
My wife was fond of the FSDs and stock springs saying it made the car “comfortable”, I was leaning more towards coilovers… Since FSDs came as a Christmas present I opted for the stiffer Texas speed works springs, the adjustable lower control arms to keep rear camber in check, and Ireland engineering fixed camber plates up front.

I took the car in to Scott at Central Coast Coopers for install just before Christmas. Unfortunately, the Front Camber plate was defective so I am not yet able to comment on this, but I was able to get everything else installed. Scott and Company did an excellent job with the installation .

The ride is a bit more firm than the stock set up but at the same time much less abusive (not sure how else to describe it). The handling is fast and responsive and the ride (on the 200 mile drive home from my in-laws over trashed southern California freeways) was a dramatic improvement. Overall I am very pleased with the outcome. Firm and quick response without being abusive, dramatic improvement in the twisties and a comfortable ride for the longer drives. The ride was lowered by ¾” from stock at all four corners and handles a full load much better than the stock set up. Overall, I have to say the ride is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something to improve handling but at the same time provide driveability for my wife and I seem to have both of these. I will comment more on handling once the front camber plates are installed. Also if anyone has any questions, I will try and answer!

Kudos to Texas Speedworks for their springs! I would definitely recommend them based on my experience. I would think these would be the perfect choice for anyone looking for minimal/ slight lowering, and improved handling or anyone with a convertible or fully loaded MCS/ or one that routinely carries a few extra pounds around. The FSDs seem to really smooth out the rough edges and so far don't seem to suffer at all from the reduced travel. This combination IS NOT a soft ride it is definitely firm but at the same time very tolerable on longer drives and much more forgiving when you hit a nasty pot hole. You will still feel it, but you wont feel like you just lost your fillings going over it

Overall, I am very pleased with the results

Can't wait to get the fixed camber plates on, get the fine tuning done and hit the twisties!!

 

I have had the FSDs + H-sport springs installed at Central Coast Coopers for several months. I am very happy with the results. IMO, Scott and Matt at Central Coast Coopers are BEST when it comes to suspension mods! I just hope they don't get too busy when the M7 coilover install requests start flooding in.

 

thanks for the update on this. i've been talking with scott (CCC) and jeff (TSW) for awhile and waiting to see how you liked yours after the install. this is the set-up i've been wanting, but needed to hear from someone who actually did it. i'm ordering my springs this weekend and setting an appointment with scott for january. merry christmas to my mini!

 

You'll love the setup! I'll update again when I have the fixed camber plates installed and everything dialed in.

 

Glad to hear you like your setup! We aimed to make it play well with the FSD's...

One thing to remember when you install the fixed Ireland plates - depending on your build date (05+), you may have those two ridges on the inboard side of the driver's strut tower (which, for the life of me I cannot understand why MINI added them, but whatever!). You will likely need to clearance those with a BFH in order to ensure the spring doesn't bind against those ridges. We just installed some fixed plates on an '06 (11/05 build) that had them and we had to do some clearance work on both sides, actually. With adjustable plates, we've had to do the same with stock springs, our springs, and even some coilovers to get more than -2.0 degrees... Just make sure you have clearance and then have fun!!! A little extra camber in the front really transforms the car...

 

Thanks for the input and the great product

If I need to pull out the BFH I think I'll let Scott take care of this one for me. My 2 favorite auto shop tools are the hammer and 2x4 but sometimes I get a bit carried away with the hammer part...

 

With the springs being non-progressive.....is there a problem with them coming off of the perches when jacking up the car?

Excellent post !

 

we appreciate the nice words and good input. As for the vertical support ribs, we did 2 06 JCW cars that morning before yours, and "modified" the ribs as required, and noted on your car that it has the ribs as well. As always, we will take care of everything needed to make your installation and driving experience better than ever!!!

 

I installed nearly the same setup a couple of weeks ago, but with Ireland adjustable camper plates. No issues with the springs coming out of the perches when the weight is off the wheels. The TSW springs are about 1/2 coil shorter than stock.

Since I finished this project at about 1:00AM, in my driveway, and it was around 30° out, I didn't give that 'rib' a massage with a BFH - I was just too tired. The passenger-side front strut was nearly impossible to get seated in the steering knuckle. I think the paint on the FSD might have been a bit too thick; it was miserable. So, right now, I'm living with some creaking and haven't been motivated to get the wheel off to do the body work.

 

Nope!

 

Sounds like a nice setup. I also had Scott and Matt at CCC install some FSDs, JCW springs, and a RSB a few months ago... they are great guys, and do great work - highly recommended! Anyway, I think your description of the ride (firmer, but less abusive) applies to the combo with JCW springs also - must be a characteristic of the slight drop + linear springs. I might have considered the TSW springs instead of the JCW ones, except they came out a few weeks after I got my setup installled. And to be honest, the red springs + red RSB goes well with my Chili Red / Black MCS...

 

I can see why red on red would be a selling point I went with the heavier springs because I have a tendency to leave all sorts of heavy junk in the back and figured it would work better with the extra weight. Gotta say, the more I drive this the more fun it is... I am REALLY looking forward to getting everything dialed in and seeing just how much better this car can get! Then its time for more engine work

 

What was the problem with the Ireland Fixed Camber Plate?
Thanks, Steve

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I took the car in to Scott at Central Coast Coopers for install just before Christmas. Unfortunately, the Front Camber plate was defective so I am not yet able to comment on this, but I was able to get everything else installed. Scott and Company did an excellent job with the installation .

 

I only got a quick look at it when Scott showed me looked like a sheared off bolt