14 replies to this topic

[runkthepunk]

Hello

Thinking about getting a ride height kit and considering almost every company claims theres is the 'original' and 'best' I just wanted to ask which technically is the first, I presume its the Moulton one?, and which do most people run with?

Are there any problems if you just buy the rear parts and keep the front at standard height? because I am happy with the front height and just want the car 'leveled off'

Basically want to buy it and not be worried about the thing once its fitted.

Thanks

Rob

[ferrit]

Hello

Thinking about getting a ride height kit and considering almost every company claims theres is the 'original' and 'best' I just wanted to ask which technically is the first, I presume its the Moulton one?, and which do most people run with?

Are there any problems if you just buy the rear parts and keep the front at standard height? because I am happy with the front height and just want the car 'leveled off'

Basically want to buy it and not be worried about the thing once its fitted.

Thanks

Rob

I think the original "Hi-Los" were made by Ripspeed and are available through Minispares , these are the only RAC homologated ones available. Whether this make them the best I cannot say.

You could get away with just rears but whats the point? Fit the fronts at the same height you have now and if in the future you want to alter the front ride height they are already fitted. Personally I would do the cones (or possibly coil replacements) and shocks at the same time if they havent recently been done

[Guess-Works.com]

Quite simply, the ones with "HILO" cast into them are the originals....

These.... http://minispares.co...ty=pb&pid=37151

Everything else is a copy.

and yes as above, don't just fit hilo's, fit new cones aswell...

[rozzer1275]

I think the original one are branded hi lo's, the early type had a lock nut and a long allen key to adjust the height but have now changed to 2 nuts, also some have a different flare profile (ie. adjusta ride) this type make the spring effect harder.

don't know what you mean by the moulton one do you mean smooth ride kit?

you can just change the back, note that as above different makes change the spring rate.

other option is to do it old school, cut some of the cone down or add knuckle spacers.

[Bungle]

I think the original one are branded hi lo's, the early type had a lock nut and a long allen key to adjust the height .

yes these are the original hilo's made by Ripspeed

i have a set fitted to my mini

[runkthepunk]

Thanks everyone

I should have said adjustable ride height suspension instead of hi los because I know they are a specific brand. I was most interested in the perceived differences between the min spares versions and the mini sport versions, but obviously everyone offers some form of these kits.

By the moulton one yes I was referring to the smooth ride kit I thought he also developed the other sportier types as well but obviously not.

The only reason I asked about just doing the back is because of a lack of money at the moment, I just wanted to be sure nothing untoward would happen if I only did the back set-up and left the front standard.

Thanks again

Rob

[Bungle]

yes you can fit just the back

but if you do you don't want to be lowering the back with the front riding high

[rozzer1275]

I think the original one are branded hi lo's, the early type had a lock nut and a long allen key to adjust the height but have now changed to 2 nuts, also some have a different flare profile (ie. adjusta ride) this type make the spring effect harder.

as above adjusta ride (mini sport) makes the ride harder

[taffy1967]

I've had the Mini Sport Adjusta-Rides (coupled with Spax Adjustable Dampers) fitted to my Mini since early 1996 and the ride is just fine.

[jayare]

The only complaint I have with my Adjusta-Rides (Minisport ones) are that they use a larger diameter knuckle joint which is:

1. Only available from Minisport, thus could be an issue if you need to replace one in a hurry, and
2. Very expensive compared to the standard ones due to 1.!

JR

[taffy1967]

The only complaint I have with my Adjusta-Rides (Minisport ones) are that they use a larger diameter knuckle joint which is:

1. Only available from Minisport, thus could be an issue if you need to replace one in a hurry, and
2. Very expensive compared to the standard ones due to 1.!

JR

The Mini Sport knuckle joint costs a few quid extra and isn't very expensive at all.

[taffy1967]

The only complaint I have with my Adjusta-Rides (Minisport ones) are that they use a larger diameter knuckle joint which is:

1. Only available from Minisport, thus could be an issue if you need to replace one in a hurry, and
2. Very expensive compared to the standard ones due to 1.!

JR

The Mini Sport knuckle joint costs a few quid extra and isn't very expensive at all.

Here you go for a price match comparison between the two: -

http://www.minisport.......;PR=-1&TB=A

Not much in it is it?

[rozzer1275]

[quote name='taffy1967' date='Dec 16 2008, 07:46 PM' post='1259905']
I've had the Mini Sport Adjusta-Rides (coupled with Spax Adjustable Dampers) fitted to my Mini since early 1996 and the ride is just fine.

I have heard them being refered too as adjusta hard, there ok with 12" wheels worse with 13s even worse with a weight reduction, a lot of it is to do with the condition of the spring though ay. I've just changed back to standard cones, I must be getting old, I have considerd using them on the front only as the back is hard on mine.

[Dan]

They are hard by comparison with Hi-Los, not so much when compared to standard suspension. The patended (and best) part of Hi-Los is the shape of the spring platform. It has a specially designed curve included to effectively change the spring rate and make it more progressive. That's why Hi-Los are the best in my opinion and is also why nobody else can claim theirs are original, only Hi-Los are patented.

Don't level out your Mini, it's meant to sit higher at the back and is actually an important part of the suspension setup. A levelled Mini handles quite differently and is not so sure footed by some margin.

[taffy1967]

Well I think I chose Adusta-Rides instead because they seemed to be more state of the art back in 1996 and the Mini World Mag Rover Mini Cooper was treated to a set and so I just did the same.

And I find the ride quality to be very good, more so since I'm still running on my original rubber springs which are now passed 18 years of age.