18 replies to this topic

[glennthrower]

Ok so as some of you know i am changing my suspension (finally as i said i would) I have read a few threads and searched but it has confuzzled me more!

I have cones (that are failing) at the moment and i would like something to make the ride a lot smoother for road use (as thats where i use it) Yes i do like to proove i have a mini and i can go round roundabouts fast.

Can anyone suggest and also explain what i can get and do? I am getting someone to fit them for me becuase im to scared obviously.

Ive heard dampers, shocks, cones everything mentioned but would like a good answer

Thanks Glenn

[taffy1967]

Well the Mini Sport Moulton Smootharide Suspension System is said to offer the best ride quality in a Mini. But obviously the suspension will need stripping down and the new parts fitted.

The only down side (from what I've heard) is that the Mini will feel more floaty and there'll be more body roll on corners/roundabouts.

Or you could just fit brand new O/E rubber springs (donuts) from Mini Spares and new knuckle joints. That way you'll get the best ride that a brand new Mini would have had, since the old springs shrink or collapse and generally go hard causing the car to crash over bumps and potholes.

You could also fit adjustable suspension (either genuine Hi-Lo's from Mini Spares or Adjusta-Rides from Mini Sport) as they tend to help make the ride more progressive. Fitting a decent set of dampers (shock absorbers) also helps a great deal too.

I've had Adjusta-Rides and Spax Adjustable Dampers fitted to my Mini since early 1996 and I'm still quite happy with the ride today.

[THE ANORAK]

well i have the moulton smootha-rides on my mini and i have to say, i wouldn't bother with them.

OK, so they do make it a little smoother when the car is fully loaded and/or at speed but as taffy said they have a tendency to make the car roll a bit more.

as for small ruts and pot holes..... useless, no difference at all

[Marru]

I have adjustables on mine.. definatly made it smoother.. but still bounce around a lot.. its more of a bounce then a bang now

[glennthrower]

Ok thats a great help with the small reviews. So i have found front Spax (i assume i can set these for my preference and then get the rears at a later date????) And the front adjusta ride kit would work too according to taffy. Is this all i need to replace my cones. ??

[glennthrower]

Lowered Height or standard height dampers??? I want my car near the wheels so i assume i would want lowered. I thought i had everything sussed then

[THE ANORAK]

i think the rule is if you plan to lower more than an inch past standard then go for lowered dampers. someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

you say you want a nice smooth ride but then you say you want it "low". the two don't always go together you know

[glennthrower]

Ok, well i would like to be able to go along country roads fast. So i dont want something that would make it roll more.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

if ur going low get the lowerin ones as standard ones will just get pushed too far

[Mini_Magic]

The only down side (from what I've heard) is that the Mini will feel more floaty and there'll be more body roll on corners/roundabouts.

This is true, but overall it still corners like a Mini.

I would also recommed getting some adjustable shock absorbers, such as Gaz. I found these to make the biggest difference to ride comfort.

I still have my Smootha Ride cones, hardly used. You can buy them for a good price if you want.

This is actually the exact same situation I got in, I wanted a smooth ride but also wanted the car to sit low. In the end I found you couldn't do both, although fitting Gaz adjustable shocks did get it somewhat closer to achieving this.

Edited by Black Civic, 03 March 2009 - 12:59 AM.

[glennthrower]

Ok so after an awful lot of talking, being nosey in minimag and other minis. I have come to the conclusion i will get hi los and new cones.

But someone said about rally/road cones and normal ones. Is there really much different in the ride?

Also im going to be doing it myself so any links to guides would be really good as well

G

[taffy1967]

Will this guide do?: -

http://www.theminifo...;hl=smootharide

[Prawn]

Have you thought about perhaps fitting coilovers? I run my mini fairly low, and on the old cone/hilo setup with gaz dampers, even with the shocks at their softest setting the ride was still really fairly harsh.

Now on Gaz coilovers all round, at the same height, the ride is noticably smoother, and it soaks up bumps far better than before. It also handles amazingly still, so it's the best of both worlds!

[jaydee]

So i have found front Spax (i assume i can set these for my preference and then get the rears at a later date????)

Hope u'll fit all 4 shocks at the same time, dont run a car with brand new front dumpers and odd dumpers at the rear, safety first!

[Jammy]

Currently my plan to 'smooth' out a Mini is thus:

Uprated rubber donuts: http://www.minispare.....BBER(ROAD A...
They are progressive in their spring rate, so they don't bounce around so much, however they still have enough support in them not to roll around so much.

KYB 25% uprated dampers: http://www.minispare...=...DE SHOCK ...
Excellent damper that don't need setting up, just work straight out of the box! Minispares have never had a faulty one returned!

Bare in mind if you do go for the uprated donuts you'll also need HiLos: http://www.minispare...=...AND REAR ...