Hey all, I just ordered a set of 18" R1 Wheels wrapped in 215/35's. Now im looking to lower the ride just a little. Im not really familiar with what i need seeing im pretty new to MCS's. Im still unsure if i want the H-Sport springs that will put me down the inch or the Alta Springs that will set me 1.2" - 1.4" lower. Will i need anything besides these springs to drop my car or will i just be able to install them and see instant results. (I have a lift and all the tools necessary btw)

thanks in advance,
tyler

 

I also have an 02 MCS with same tire wheel size with an 42mm offset lowered on stock struts with Eibach springs in addition with rear control arms which are used to set the correct camber when lowering, are they absolutely necessary? I think so, but maybe someone else could chime in here on that issue.

Yes you get instant results and you shouldn't have any tire rubbing issues ( at least I don't, hence mentioning the wheel offset) Hope this helps and enjoy!

 

Control arms aren't absolutely necessary. But if you want to correct your camber settings then they are. I'm running H-Sports without them and I'm fine. Several people on here are running springs without control arms just fine.. Obviously its better if you put them on and correct the camber, but it isnt ABSOLUTELY necessary...

 

IMO it's overkill to get camber plates/aftermarket control arms for just a mild (approx 1") lowering job. The car should look the biz once it's installed!

 

so i can just buy a set of H-Sports and throw them on?

 

It won't be bad, you might want an alignment afterwards. With just a 1" drop, if you're not looking for the additional performance that camber plates / control arms / whatev gives you, you should be fine.

 

Just had some installed and they have worked great from the get-go!


I was in the middle of a MCS bumper install :-)

 

One thing I learned early on is that lowering springs kill struts much more quickly. If you have the original struts, high mileage and 18" wheels you may need new ones soon.

 

If you do not correct your camber be sure to rotate your tires more frequently. Otherwise you will wear out the inner edges of your rear tires faster than than your entire front tires.

i hope that makes sense. Plus i have a set of used H sport control that i am selling for 175 shipped any where in the Continental US.

 

I am lowered as well. I have the H-Sports and also have the IE fixed camber plates. I do not have control arms and I did get an alignment afterwards. I have not had the springs on long enough to see abnormal tire wear, but I really don't see how you would get abnormal tire wear with that little of added camber. I wouldn't go any lower than 1" though.

 

the problem with the early Cooper S's 02 to 04 is there is no adjustment in the rear for camber. Once you lower the car (1" or greater)you end up with negative 2.5 or so.

great for cornering, not so good for going in a straight line done the highway.

 

I have an '04 and the camber doesn't seem that drastic. I know the front camber is like a -1.5/-1.7, but the rear looks exactly like the front. Do you think just by looking and not measuring that one could see the difference?

 

this is all a lot more complicated then i thought...
i want to get my car to that clean lowered look but i dont want abnormal tire wear, i want to have a comfortable straight line drive and i dont want to hurt my car if the camber isnt adjusted. help?

 

You won't have drastically different tire wear on H-Sports. I haven't had mine on long enough to tell you from personal experience but I haven't heard of anyone complaining about faster/uneven tire wear from just H-Sports. Put them on worry about the rest later, you'll see that chances are you won't notice a difference in wear. If you do, buy a set of lower control arms for the rear and your fine...

 

just be safe and by my set of lower control arms now