Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Discussion about wheels, tires, and brakes for the new MINI.

Which ride softer? Springs or Coils?

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Old 05-02-2011, 07:48 PM
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Which ride softer? Springs or Coils?

I currently got NM springs on my R56.
I want to lower it a bit more but don't want it too hash.
Would coils be better way instead of going for some other lower springs like M7, etc?
Thanks!
-Mike
 
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Old 05-03-2011, 07:35 AM
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Some springs are crap, some are good. Some coilovers are good, some are crap. Wide range for both.

The lower you go on springs makes a big difference for ride quality because there is hardly any suspension travel on these cars. Anything lower than NM springs will likely be crap.

For coilovers, you usually end up with a little more travel if you want a lower drop, so that's good. But the cheaper priced chinese coilovers have crappy damping which can make things uncomfortable over rougher roads.

If you really want to go lower than NM springs, I'd go with coilovers. On the cheap end I'd go with KW variant 1 or H&R.

You also might want to have this post moved to the 2nd gen suspension section.

- Andrew
 
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Old 05-03-2011, 05:35 PM
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What do you want to do with the car?
 
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Old 05-03-2011, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by slinger688
What do you want to do with the car?
Great question!
I forgot to mention that I only use the car as daily driving :-)
Thanks,
-Mike
 
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Old 05-03-2011, 07:40 PM
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How long have the NM springs been installed on the car? Perhaps you should wait a while....they tend to settle some, they might just settle into just where you like them. Worth a try and doesn't cost anything!
 
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Old 05-03-2011, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by kukaepe
How long have the NM springs been installed on the car? Perhaps you should wait a while....they tend to settle some, they might just settle into just where you like them. Worth a try and doesn't cost anything!
Hi,
It has been about 4 months and it has settled some.
I was just thinking to go with some agressive fitting using CCW wheels or something. Just worry about getting CCW 18x8 with 42 offset will not give the wheel any lip. Maybe I will tell them not build to clear big brakes so they can get more lip on the wheels.
Well, but those CCW still a big thinking since they are just too expensive and not sure the next Gen Mini would fit :-)
 
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