17 replies to this topic

[PaddyShepherd]

Okay, so, one of my rubber cones has sagged and collapsed on my mini.

I have looked at prices for a new cone, and at 40 quid a pop they ain't cheap.

However; huddersfield do a spring conversion kit for 100 quid for all 4 springs, are they any good does anyone know? Will there be any handling benefit? Thanks.

Here's a link.

There's extra charges for the conversion plates etc, but would they be better value than new rubber cones?

[JakeJakeJake]

£100 only buys you two, all four is £180. Check the "combinations" drop down box.

[PaddyShepherd]

Ah yeah apologies for that, however; with the four with conversion plates only being £180ish that's still good I reckon.

[MR J]

Have heard mixed results for the Huddersfield and P+L Minis ones, I'm getting some Minitastic ones but his fast road springs are on back order at the moment.

[AVV IT]

I haven't fitted a spring conversion personally, but I seem to recall that when this has been discussed here before the general consensus seemed to be that the Huddersfield kit is cheap for a reason, so if you're going to do a coil conversion then you should probably do it properly and fit the Minitastic version instead. http://www.minitasti.../suspension.htm

It might also be worth doing a bit of research before fitting a coil conversion too, as at one point there seemed to be an issue with the springs moving/becoming dislodged after fitting. It's also worth checking with your insurance company before fitting too, as I believe that some insurers see them as a track only modification and therefore won't cover you for road use.

Edited by AVV IT, 12 July 2012 - 03:36 PM.

[PaddyShepherd]

So if I got the good quality ones, would they be an improvement over cones?

[Skortchio]

I'm running the Minitastic 'Fast Road' springs, had them on about 500miles or so now.

My first impression was: Holy Moley, these are comfortable!
I quite literally drove 1/2 a mile before realising I hadn't felt a bump (the 1/2 mile is a bumpy one away from my garage).
After dialing the dampers up a little to compensate I've got spritely handling, coupled with shock absorbtion I never imagined on a Mini!

Assuming you have adjustable dampers (reccommended with them) you can go from smooth and complient ride to that near solid cone like feel with just a few clicks. I wound them out recently while I had company staying to make the ride more comfortable, once they left I stiffened it up to enjoy driving again!

You get slightly more body roll than with cones, but it's only really apparent when cornering hard and given the % of time that is compared to other driving, for me the choice was simple.

Steve is a lovely chap and very helpful too.

There's no problem with them becoming unseated, it's just not possible as long as your damper is attached. They are uncompressed slightly higher than cones, so initial fitting takes a little jiggery pokery. Upper arm needs to come off for the front and some gentle persuasion nothing drastic though.

They do bed in slightly so your ride height will be a bit high for the first miles, much the same as cones.
The price for the kit is the same (near enough) as a set of cones too.

[AVV IT]

So if I got the good quality ones, would they be an improvement over cones?

Again I've no experience of them personally, but some people here who have fitted them swear by them. Others seem to think that they are completely unnecessary on a road car, I believe the phrase used is "keep springs for the track & rubber for the road". But if you have been driving around on collapsing 20 year old plus cones though, then you will probably notice a massive difference just by fitting something new, whether that be a coil conversion or just new rubber cones.

Another option is "smootha ride" rubber cones in conjunction with an "Adjusta Ride" suspension, again I've never fitted them personally, but some people claim that there's a noticeable improvement with them over standard rubber cones. Also they are currently on special offer at minisport with 23.3% off. http://www.minisport...A318490019.html

[Skortchio]

So if I got the good quality ones, would they be an improvement over cones?

Again I've no experience of them personally, but some people here who have fitted them swear by them. Others seem to think that they are completely unnecessary on a road car, I believe the phrase used is "keep springs for the track & rubber for the road". But if you have been driving around on collapsing 20 year old plus cones though, then you will probably notice a massive difference just by fitting something new, whether that be a coil conversion or just new rubber cones.

Another option is "smootha ride" rubber cones in conjunction with an "Adjusta Ride" suspension, again I've never fitted them personally, but some people claim that there's a noticeable improvement with them over standard rubber cones. Also they are currently on special offer at minisport with 23.3% off. http://www.minisport...A318490019.html

It's a strange saying that one.

Given the arguement seems to be that cones offer a better rising rate compression at the expense of comfort, surely their ideal place would be on track where precision suspension has it's place far more than on the road.
Of course if you're going that route then coil overs are the best option, if an expensive one.

The Minitastic springs are progressive rate themselves, but as said more forgiving than rubber. Plus much longer lasting.

I'm curious what the difference with the smootha rides over other cones, slightly higher initial shape and I'd suspect a softer rubber compound. But of course the softer the compound the faster it degrades, so you'll be replacing them sooner.

[PaddyShepherd]

Mass help guys. I will be saving for a minitastic kit in that case, thanks a lot!

Although, how much different is there between the 'town ride' and the 'fast road' kits? My car's a standard 1275 so it's not really a 'fast road' car, and it's a daily, but I do like hammering round the back roads every few days.. ;)

[Skortchio]

I'd suggest the fast road kit then, from what I understand of talking to Steve the town ride is a mega forgiving set up designed for restored, ancient shells and old ladies

The fast road is an advancement in comfort terms over rubber but still retains enough fun factor to keep you entertained. It sounds to me you use your car much like mine.
I use the adjustable dampers to tweak the ride for balance that suits me, a little on the firm side to minimise body roll but still plenty comfortable for daily trips around the pothole ridden Essex roads!
Plus a couple of clicks off and you're into 'riding in a duvet' land.

[PaddyShepherd]

I'd suggest the fast road kit then, from what I understand of talking to Steve the town ride is a mega forgiving set up designed for restored, ancient shells and old ladies

The fast road is an advancement in comfort terms over rubber but still retains enough fun factor to keep you entertained. It sounds to me you use your car much like mine.
I use the adjustable dampers to tweak the ride for balance that suits me, a little on the firm side to minimise body roll but still plenty comfortable for daily trips around the pothole ridden Essex roads!
Plus a couple of clicks off and you're into 'riding in a duvet' land.

Yeah, well I don't want a lot of body roll but still want comfort, so I'm thinking the fast road kit then some lowered adjustable dampers?

[Skortchio]

That's what I'm using at the moment, Gaz lowered adjustables, 40point.

I have them set at 10 front and 17 rear, from full soft and i'm starting to come out the seat (MGZR) before the arches start rubbing despite having the ride height down some.
It rolls more than rubber will but of course it's markedly more comfortable too - stands to reason the softer the spring rate the more movement you'll get.

The only tricky element I found was when installing them initially keeping the spring seated while you bolt the damper on, I do stress this is mearly tricky and not 'hard'. Using the trolley jack under the hub proved a simple solution to keeping everything where I wanted

[PaddyShepherd]

That's what I'm using at the moment, Gaz lowered adjustables, 40point.

I have them set at 10 front and 17 rear, from full soft and i'm starting to come out the seat (MGZR) before the arches start rubbing despite having the ride height down some.
It rolls more than rubber will but of course it's markedly more comfortable too - stands to reason the softer the spring rate the more movement you'll get.

The only tricky element I found was when installing them initially keeping the spring seated while you bolt the damper on, I do stress this is mearly tricky and not 'hard'. Using the trolley jack under the hub proved a simple solution to keeping everything where I wanted

I will be in touch in a few month if I get stuck then hahah!

[Lucas1988]

sorry to open this thread but just wondered if you have now fitted your springs and if you have a photo of them in your subframe. 

Thanks