Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension BC coilovers installed (how-to & feedback)

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  #151  
Old 04-11-2008, 05:47 AM
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  #152  
Old 04-11-2008, 05:50 AM
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Originally Posted by ChrisMCS04
Thanks Brian...so do the fronts come with either the bulb, or linear?
The eariler units were straight springs.
With the travel, even on a 8K some folks did experience binding.
 
  #153  
Old 04-11-2008, 06:07 PM
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Mine are adj just like in the photos that Cor Blmy provided...... have about 3/4" or so gap up front and rears are even with the tops of the tire, maybe a tad bit below..
 
  #154  
Old 04-12-2008, 05:23 PM
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I got them on today. I forgot the check the springs rates but i was set 8k/8k

The fronts aren't rubbin the locknuts, but it's close. Below is a picture of the wheel on. This is with the car still OFF the ground (still got other things to do before I put it down). What do you think about spacers? yes/no/too close to call

 
  #155  
Old 04-12-2008, 07:25 PM
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That's got to be a 7" rim, no? 205 tire?

I've got 7.5" with a 215/40 and was just barely rubbing, just enough to squeak so I went with a 5mm spacer...

Put her down and I bet it rubs the perch nut....and I'll bet you will want to drop it that last 1/2" or so after seeing it on the ground.
 
  #156  
Old 04-13-2008, 07:03 AM
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6.5" inch, 205 tires. It's the stock 5 stars. In a month or so I'll be getting 17x7, but I'll be using 205/45 tires.

I think I spaced the locknuts 1/2" in the front .75" in the rear for starters. I'll probably end up getting close to bottoming them out.
 
  #157  
Old 04-13-2008, 05:06 PM
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Well - there you go. That 1/4" wider rim on either side will just about wipe that gap away and prolly rub a bit. I'd get some spacers.....just for peace of mind. Get the 5mm's...
 
  #158  
Old 04-14-2008, 11:35 AM
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Just a quick note.

If the car is on jack stands or on the ground the relation between the lowre part of the coilover and the tire stay the same ...
The coil over is bolted to the spindle ... also changing the camber these 2 still stay the same ...
 
  #159  
Old 04-14-2008, 11:44 AM
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Except the tire will deform some with load placed on it. I would get spacers just for peace of mind.

I might have some for sale soon.

With any wheel+tire combo, it depends on the offset. Your future 17x7s may fit fine.
 
  #160  
Old 04-14-2008, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by S-Driver
Well - there you go. That 1/4" wider rim on either side will just about wipe that gap away and prolly rub a bit. I'd get some spacers.....just for peace of mind. Get the 5mm's...
That would only be true if you stayed with the exact same offset. All you'd have to do is make sure your offset isn't as high as your current stock wheels and you'd be fine. You could easily move up to 17x7 without any need for spacers as long as you paid close attention to the offset.
 
  #161  
Old 04-14-2008, 01:35 PM
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Thanks for clearing that up guys. I was having a hard time working that logic in my head while trying to put the rest of the car together! Hopefully I will have it down tonight and can see how close it is. I'm looking around for some spacers anyway. If I went with 5mm would I need longer bolts? what length?

Also, the 17x7s i'm looking at have a offset of 40mm. The stocks are something like 48mm I think, so hopefully no spacers required
 
  #162  
Old 04-14-2008, 01:49 PM
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I can run my 7" wide 42mm offset wheels with 205 wide tires on my BC's with no spacer and no rubbing, for what it's worth. A couple millimeters of clearance is fine between the coilover and the tire, as even during hard cornering the tire barely deflects up there, the deflection is mostly down at the contact patch.
 
  #163  
Old 04-15-2008, 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Ryephile
I can run my 7" wide 42mm offset wheels with 205 wide tires on my BC's with no spacer and no rubbing, for what it's worth. A couple millimeters of clearance is fine between the coilover and the tire, as even during hard cornering the tire barely deflects up there, the deflection is mostly down at the contact patch.
That's great news. Hope the same thing applies to 18's.
Since fitting BC's to my 04 MCS the oem S-lights are rubbing, i am looking to update to 18's that will fit WITHOUT using spacers.
I was thinking 18" x 7" with 42mm offset & 205/40/18 tire would be the only option.
Wondering whether 18'' x 7.5'' with 42mm offset & same tire would fit, as there are more wheel design options in 7.5"
Anyone have an answer to this ???
 

Last edited by steve11; 04-15-2008 at 03:43 AM.
  #164  
Old 04-15-2008, 03:54 AM
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i think you'll be ok with a 7" rim with a 42mm offset, but can you fit a 205 tyre on a 7.5" rim?
 
  #165  
Old 04-15-2008, 04:36 AM
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Originally Posted by etalj
i think you'll be ok with a 7" rim with a 42mm offset, but can you fit a 205 tyre on a 7.5" rim?
Yah no problem going with a 205 on a 7.5"
 
  #166  
Old 04-15-2008, 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Rally@StanceDesign
Yah no problem going with a 205 on a 7.5"
didn't know that. i just assumed that because stock 7" rims come with 205s, that that was the smallest size you could go
 
  #167  
Old 04-15-2008, 02:05 PM
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Anyone running a 7.5'' with BC's & no spacers?
 
  #168  
Old 04-15-2008, 03:10 PM
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I have 16x7.5 +43 wheels and it's very, very close to rubbing. I'll be running a 5mm spacer just to be on the safe side.
 
  #169  
Old 04-15-2008, 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by steve11
Anyone running a 7.5'' with BC's & no spacers?

Would need to know diameter (section width and aspect ratio) and ET of rim to answer that one ...

My auto x wheels are enkei nto3-m 7.5 wide, ET 45, 17" diameter
225 / 40 / 17 Hoosier A6 (these do run a big)

I run 15mm spacer on the front so the end result is ET 30
They are really close on the inside (suspension and the wheel arch is trimmed -OK .. very trimmed) camber is -2.6 and this is the biggest tire you can get under there (without even more trimming and cutting)
Rear I run a 3mm spacer as the tire would touch and it would touch the arch if again not heavily modded.
 
  #170  
Old 04-15-2008, 09:03 PM
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See post #163 for details
18 x 7.5 et42 205/40/18
 
  #171  
Old 04-16-2008, 06:43 AM
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I simply cannot get a 5mm ball hex in there to adjust those so I'm going to have to trim. Any tips before I start trimming this strut tower so I get it right the first time? I'm a little weary about this part. I have a dremel but what kind of cutting wheel should I be using? I'm not risking cracking of the strut tower later on (i'm assuming not)?
 
  #172  
Old 04-16-2008, 09:13 AM
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There are 6 screw holes on the top for mounting the slide part of the camber adjustment .. are you using the best combination of those for your set up ???Mark it with a sharpee or paint pen cut a bit (Always can go bigger not smaller)
I use the new dremil fast lock wheel ...
 
  #173  
Old 04-16-2008, 10:30 AM
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wow, I didn't realize there were more holes for the camber screws. I'll pull the fronts off (again ) tonight and pick the best ones to hopefully reach them without cutting. I just want to be able to set it to -2 and forget it. I don't plan on changing the camber on a regular basis.
 
  #174  
Old 04-16-2008, 04:47 PM
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this is how they come shipped.
As you can see there are 6 holes ... the outer 4 are are used when shipped ... but lets say you want more camber and the bolts are hitting the fixed plate you can put those 2 bolts in the more "inner' holes

Stock . but limited adjustment here





and to show you my set up at -2.6 and still able to go futher ..
 

Last edited by COR BLMY; 04-16-2008 at 04:55 PM.
  #175  
Old 04-16-2008, 06:13 PM
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Well...I'm learning as I go here. Until recently I didn't know about being able to move the adj bolts from one side to other so I'll pulling mine out soon and moving them so they are like in the above pic. I can only get about 1.5 degrees adj now and the tire really doesn't even look like it move at all. And I trimmed a lot! Here's a pic.....

It looks a lot better after touch up paint and a STB install...

Some general instructions/tips would be nice to have been included.
.
 


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