13 replies to this topic

[ricekikr]

Spax coilvover VS Minitastic (fastroad + Gaz shocks)

Has anyone done a direct comparison or from personal experience? They cost almost the same. Most I read are just general stuff, coilover = track, cones=daily/track, coil=mixed reviews.

Do the coilovers really need reinforcement? Anyone sell the lower bracket (from what I read, the ones that come with the kits, hits the subrframe)

Which would be best? This is for a daily driver. Don't want cones.

[charie t]

Go for the minitastic springs if its a daily. The coil overs are set up for track bias and are too harsh for every day road use. The springs are much softer but need controlling with a good set of dampers

[AndyMiniMad.]

I cant give you a direct comparison, but can say that I have the Spax coilover kit on my road car..Its great. A much smoother ride than the original cones, and has plenty of adjustment on the damper settings...Yes you do need to reinforce the area where the top bracket fits,but its an easy job.I would recommend them for road use..and can easily be adjusted for the odd track day. The coilover springs come with different compression rates so you just choose the set up that suits your needs when purcasing..

[ricekikr]

Thanks for the info guys.

Good to know Spax actually rides smoother than stock, everything I read about em was that they rode harsh.

[rosstolley]

Glad you've raised this question pal as its something I've been thinking about also after seeing slightly cheaper versions on PLmini and Huddersfield Spares.

http://www.plminisho..._Kit_(Fast_Road)_With_Hi-Lows.html

What do you think you will go with?

Cheers,

Ross

[Rhys]

I have done a lot of research into this and have basically found that if you want to lower the car then don't go for the minitastic springs as they can dislodge easily.

Coil overs are not great for the road and take away from the mini feel that we all love. The best option I have seen is mini spares red spot cones and better dampers. Harder better cones but still that great mini feel.

[ricekikr]

Glad you've raised this question pal as its something I've been thinking about also after seeing slightly cheaper versions on PLmini and Huddersfield Spares.

From what I've been reading from the past few days, I'd only go with minitastic+their hilos. But if your not gona use hilos, I guess any would do. Something with regular hilo's being the wrong size, causing the spring to dislodge (but contradicted: read below).

I have done a lot of research into this and have basically found that if you want to lower the car then don't go for the minitastic springs as they can dislodge easily.

Coil overs are not great for the road and take away from the mini feel that we all love.

I thought the other coils (minisport/minispares) with regular hilos were the ones that dislodged?

Could you please expound on the coilover removing the "mini feel"?

Cones I want to avoid, mostly because they're a wear item, that costs the same as something more permantent.

I'm kinda leaning towards coilovers but the need to fabricate a lower bracket to go low is ehhhhh (my welding skills, don't feel like a skill)

[Tupers]

You really should consider sticking with cones. Yes they do wear but we're talking 10 years not 10 months.

[ricekikr]

^even when lowered?

How low do they go with hilos?

[Rhys]

The basic premise of springs becoming dislodged on lower cars is that when the wheel is not underload the travel is far enough to release e pressure on the spring. Although the springs from minitastic are slightly longer than mini spares, they still have the same issue. Remember that is is only on lowered cars.

A for the coil overs, you're changing what it was that made a mini so different to other cars, the cone suspension was the design and as such putting coil overs on takes that away. It is hard to explain in terms of facts without being in both but even down to the location of compression changing is going to make a difference.

As the coil overs are in a different location, the suspension geometry has been massively changed leading to a different feeling car. It's not the same as putting coil overs on a modern car at all.

[ricekikr]

Rhys - Thanks for the input.

Let's say I do decide on getting cones. Which would be best? I think Minispares sell ones made from orig tooling, but doesn't say if they're made from the same rubber/manufacturer? Or would the red dots be better, don't plan on using it on trackdays, maybe once or twice I guess, but I do drive spritedly. And I do plan to go low. More concerned on durability, as this is gona be my dailydriver.

Hilo's - Cast (orig?) vs Machined (half price) - Minispares description says the only diff is additional road noise? - Are the orig hilos worth double the cost? - concerned with daily driver friendlines.

Shocks? Spax (adj) vs Gaz (adj) vs KYB (non-adj; this is the brand I use on JAP cars, they seem to last forever) - looking for durability and lowered friendliness.

edit: MiniSport claims they have genuine cones made by Avon. So which has genuine cones MiniSpares or MiniSport or they're both selling the same exact thing.

Edited by ricekikr, 10 June 2012 - 03:12 PM.

[Rhys]

The red spot cones come highly recommended from everyone who uses them. Minispares is a friend of the forum and if you're a TMF+ member you get a 7.5% discount.

As for the shocks, I would go for some adjustables but I can't give an informed recommendation on which ones.

[ricekikr]

Ok thanks. 7.5% on all orders?! Thanks for the tip. £10 a year - you just saved me around £50.

[mini-luke]

It's £5 now, so make it £55!