Suspension R56 lowering springs: options and specs
#28
Using lowering springs you put more stress on the stock shocks.
Probably they will last about 12,000-20,000 miles depending on how you drive, loads your carry, and your driving style.
I had H-sport springs and stock shocks and after about one year and 10,000 miles with just me in the car my shocks were definitely not as good as when new. Ride quality got very harsh enough that no one wanted to ride with me on the street.
Probably they will last about 12,000-20,000 miles depending on how you drive, loads your carry, and your driving style.
I had H-sport springs and stock shocks and after about one year and 10,000 miles with just me in the car my shocks were definitely not as good as when new. Ride quality got very harsh enough that no one wanted to ride with me on the street.
#29
Ride height- do you want to be lower or same as stock.
Ride quality for street use- do you want more comfort or are you willing to compromise some comfort for better cornering.
Performance- is this a priority that you are willing to trade off vs comfort
Looks- is ride height important or not.
You can't generally change shocks for ride height adjustment. You can add lowering springs or upgrade the whole suspension like the JCW kit or a coilover kit.
On the older R50/R53 you could add Koni FSD shocks to help with both cornering and comfort.
You can always add upgraded shocks with lowering springs rather than just lowering springs. Using runflats makes the ride less comfortable. Try letting a little air pressure out.
#30
Our prototypes should be on the way to us this week... They will maintain the factory bias as far as rates go (one reason the R56 handles BETTER out of the box than the R50/R53 platform), be linear and cold wound, and we're going for a 1" drop up front and 3/4" drop in the rear... More info to come after we thrash the incoming protos!
I am amazed that MINI made a BIG change to spring rates and free lengths to the R56 platform - when I initially drove the car, I noted just how much less understeer there was from the factory and the spring rates don't lie!
I am amazed that MINI made a BIG change to spring rates and free lengths to the R56 platform - when I initially drove the car, I noted just how much less understeer there was from the factory and the spring rates don't lie!
#31
Our prototypes should be on the way to us this week... They will maintain the factory bias as far as rates go (one reason the R56 handles BETTER out of the box than the R50/R53 platform), be linear and cold wound, and we're going for a 1" drop up front and 3/4" drop in the rear... More info to come after we thrash the incoming protos!
I am amazed that MINI made a BIG change to spring rates and free lengths to the R56 platform - when I initially drove the car, I noted just how much less understeer there was from the factory and the spring rates don't lie!
I am amazed that MINI made a BIG change to spring rates and free lengths to the R56 platform - when I initially drove the car, I noted just how much less understeer there was from the factory and the spring rates don't lie!
Just my .02,
Your mileage may vary.....
#32
Interesting... you're dropping the back LESS than the front! Like many, I'm looking to eliminate some torque steer while preserving the basic comfort level of my daily driver '08 MCS with sport suspension. Oddly, I found that in stock form the new MCS has less understeer than my '05 did.
Just my .02,
Your mileage may vary.....
Just my .02,
Your mileage may vary.....
I am surprised there is so much suspension modification going on based on my initial impressions. Also, this may explain why there are so few dedicated parts available.
#33
There are different concerns going on at the same time.
Ride height- do you want to be lower or same as stock.
Ride quality for street use- do you want more comfort or are you willing to compromise some comfort for better cornering.
Performance- is this a priority that you are willing to trade off vs comfort
Looks- is ride height important or not.
You can't generally change shocks for ride height adjustment. You can add lowering springs or upgrade the whole suspension like the JCW kit or a coilover kit.
On the older R50/R53 you could add Koni FSD shocks to help with both cornering and comfort.
You can always add upgraded shocks with lowering springs rather than just lowering springs. Using runflats makes the ride less comfortable. Try letting a little air pressure out.
Ride height- do you want to be lower or same as stock.
Ride quality for street use- do you want more comfort or are you willing to compromise some comfort for better cornering.
Performance- is this a priority that you are willing to trade off vs comfort
Looks- is ride height important or not.
You can't generally change shocks for ride height adjustment. You can add lowering springs or upgrade the whole suspension like the JCW kit or a coilover kit.
On the older R50/R53 you could add Koni FSD shocks to help with both cornering and comfort.
You can always add upgraded shocks with lowering springs rather than just lowering springs. Using runflats makes the ride less comfortable. Try letting a little air pressure out.
#34
#39
Still looking for info on OEM spring rates, very surprised that OEM #s and even #s for aftermarket are not known or have a WIDE range... and what was the formula to convert lbs/in to Kg ???
A stiffer spring rate will be over "sprung to shocks" you really dont feel it on compression, but you will on rebound.
The shock valveing is too free flowing (soft / fast) for the stiffer spring.
#40
I did a search and cant find a thing. Anyone familiar with these? It looks like they are available.
B&G S2 Sport Springs - 08.1.178
Lowers - Front: 1in / Rear: 1in
Progressive Rate
#08.1.159 Fits these 2008 Mini Cooper Trims:
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L Base FWD
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L Clubman FWD
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L S FWD
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L S Clubman FWD
B&G S2 Sport Springs - 08.1.178
Lowers - Front: 1in / Rear: 1in
Progressive Rate
#08.1.159 Fits these 2008 Mini Cooper Trims:
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L Base FWD
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L Clubman FWD
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L S FWD
2008 Cooper 4 Cyl 1.6L S Clubman FWD
Last edited by maxx629; 08-08-2008 at 04:35 AM. Reason: corrected Part #
#41
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Got to disagree ... it is not the fact that the springs lower the car that the shocks go bad fast ... if the rate and travel is the same (just shorter) all would be the same ...(unless just bottoming out and crazy low) ... it is the fact that the springs have different rates and travel that allow the shock to move in a shorter area that will harm the shock.
Still looking for info on OEM spring rates, very surprised that OEM #s and even #s for aftermarket are not known or have a WIDE range... and what was the formula to convert lbs/in to Kg ???
A stiffer spring rate will be over "sprung to shocks" you really dont feel it on compression, but you will on rebound.
The shock valveing is too free flowing (soft / fast) for the stiffer spring.
Still looking for info on OEM spring rates, very surprised that OEM #s and even #s for aftermarket are not known or have a WIDE range... and what was the formula to convert lbs/in to Kg ???
A stiffer spring rate will be over "sprung to shocks" you really dont feel it on compression, but you will on rebound.
The shock valveing is too free flowing (soft / fast) for the stiffer spring.
#42
#43
Heres another spring option...
http://www.namotorsports.net/detail....rt_cd/NM558856
I am finding it difficult to get quotes for suspension to be shipped to Aus - anyone here had a good deal with. I have been talking to an Australian distributor re: the product above - has anyone fitted these springs yet? (knowing that they have only just been released...)
http://www.namotorsports.net/detail....rt_cd/NM558856
I am finding it difficult to get quotes for suspension to be shipped to Aus - anyone here had a good deal with. I have been talking to an Australian distributor re: the product above - has anyone fitted these springs yet? (knowing that they have only just been released...)
#44
Anyone know about KW spings (for R56) ?
From Lohen site:
Ideal for road use, these springs lower the MINI slighty more than Eibach. With this in mind, not only will they look lower you will also notice a sportier ride than the Eibach springs, however they will give a slighty harder ride
So, they lower bit more than eibach?
From Lohen site:
Ideal for road use, these springs lower the MINI slighty more than Eibach. With this in mind, not only will they look lower you will also notice a sportier ride than the Eibach springs, however they will give a slighty harder ride
So, they lower bit more than eibach?
#45
Heres another spring option...
http://www.namotorsports.net/detail....rt_cd/NM558856
I am finding it difficult to get quotes for suspension to be shipped to Aus - anyone here had a good deal with. I have been talking to an Australian distributor re: the product above - has anyone fitted these springs yet? (knowing that they have only just been released...)
http://www.namotorsports.net/detail....rt_cd/NM558856
I am finding it difficult to get quotes for suspension to be shipped to Aus - anyone here had a good deal with. I have been talking to an Australian distributor re: the product above - has anyone fitted these springs yet? (knowing that they have only just been released...)
#47
#49
Hi All,
After having installed the NAM springs a couple of months ago, I must say that I am extremely satisfied with them. The ride quality is only marginally worse (passengers notice it - I don't... However it may be in their mind.. I am also still on runflats), turn in to corners feels a whole lot tighter (even less body roll), and the ride height is just right - the 17" wheels now fit the wheel arches perfectly. See below for some before and after shots - I tried to get the angle the same but unfortunately the photos were taken at different times of the day. The springs may have settled a touch more (attached photos were taken within a couple of days and only a handful of Kms)
After having installed the NAM springs a couple of months ago, I must say that I am extremely satisfied with them. The ride quality is only marginally worse (passengers notice it - I don't... However it may be in their mind.. I am also still on runflats), turn in to corners feels a whole lot tighter (even less body roll), and the ride height is just right - the 17" wheels now fit the wheel arches perfectly. See below for some before and after shots - I tried to get the angle the same but unfortunately the photos were taken at different times of the day. The springs may have settled a touch more (attached photos were taken within a couple of days and only a handful of Kms)