12 replies to this topic

[classicoop]

Does anyone know the spring rates of the Minitastic springs (both fast road and race)?

 

Also has anyone broken their Minitastic springs? I know Minispares (which looks to be the same product everyone else sells) have gotten broken springs. I know of one break with just 2KM. Bad batch?

 

Is there a better coil spring maker? I've heard the Japanese ones are good, but couldn't find anyone selling it.

 

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I've read cones are better etc etc etc etc. Bottom line is, car is gona be a daily driver. As it sits, the Mini is much much much more UNcomfortable (clutch/brakes/ride/noise etc) than the weekender. Softening everything bit by bit. Lol I'm getting old. But damn, this is the worst riding car I've been in, including some track cars (not all, some). Most probably because of the old cones. But even with new cones some people still complain. Coils on the other hand look like the comfort solution.

[Alex_B]

Well cones are a better system, old cones will be rock solid and give a horrid ride, thats the way it is, have you looked into smootha ride cones? they stiull have the advantages of the original cones (variable spring rate etc) whilst making it a bit softer at the same time 

[Dark Angel]

I'm with Alex. New cones can make a big difference. As can a slightly softer shock. Just make sure that he rid height is correct. Both my minis had old, sagging ones and the front was either on or close to the bump stops. Which makes for a very stiff ride, as the ones an shocks can't do their job. Also better seats might help. More cushion.

[Jordie]

Ive got minitastic fast road with gaz lowered adjustable shocks. Found it good so far, need to raise car abit at the front as it scrapes on the arches when coming down off a speed hump or taking a hard corner. im happy with comfort etc. I fitted new lower arms rebound rubbers and made sure the springs are located fully. My car isnt extremely low so ive had no problems with the springs coming unseated etc.

 

Jordie

[classicoop]

Thanks for the info guys. But the main thing that's stopping me from buying cones (smootha ride or Minispares) is there are still people who complain about them. Too stiff/bouncy, fails too soon etc etc etc. I've heard nothing but good things (comfort-wise) about coils. The main thing that worries me about coils is the sudden failure (coil breaking) which seems to happen a bit too often.

 

Currently on Spax, full soft (which I read somewhere is like stock shocks), cut bump stops, cut front arch/rears tubbed. Tried hi-los on highest/middle/lowest all the same.

 

I mean the rides "ok". It's when I'm going over 60+kph/40mph when things get too bouncy (Spax stiff or soft). The short wheelbase doesn't help either.

 

PS: I couldn't care less about go-kart handling. As long as it isn't wallowy like those old boat 80s Benz's, I'm ok. And hopefully at least get close to new econobox handling.

[classicoop]

Ive got minitastic fast road with gaz lowered adjustable shocks. Found it good so far, need to raise car abit at the front as it scrapes on the arches when coming down off a speed hump or taking a hard corner. im happy with comfort etc. I fitted new lower arms rebound rubbers and made sure the springs are located fully. My car isnt extremely low so ive had no problems with the springs coming unseated etc.

 

Jordie

 

How did you order? Just email them? How long have you had them?

 

Based on your avatar 13s+sportspack arches? How high/low are you (wheel to arch gap). Is it too soft that it bottoms-out often? 

 

Won't be running them too low either. Right now, mines around 1.5inches from the arches (spack+13s also, tried running them at max low, but scraped everywhere lol.

[Cerberus]

Thanks for the info guys. But the main thing that's stopping me from buying cones (smootha ride or Minispares) is there are still people who complain about them. Too stiff/bouncy, fails too soon etc etc etc. I've heard nothing but good things (comfort-wise) about coils. The main thing that worries me about coils is the sudden failure (coil breaking) which seems to happen a bit too often.

 

Currently on Spax, full soft (which I read somewhere is like stock shocks), cut bump stops, cut front arch/rears tubbed. Tried hi-los on highest/middle/lowest all the same.

 

I mean the rides "ok". It's when I'm going over 60+kph/40mph when things get too bouncy (Spax stiff or soft). The short wheelbase doesn't help either.

 

PS: I couldn't care less about go-kart handling. As long as it isn't wallowy like those old boat 80s Benz's, I'm ok. And hopefully at least get close to new econobox handling.

 

Sounds to me like you've bought the completely wrong car. I don't think a mini can ever ride like a modern car, partly as you say due to the short wheelbase, also the small wheels, and short suspension travel.

 

I've got standard cones (minisport) on mine, with Hi-Los set at standard'ish (might be higher) ride height and Gaz shocks set at about 6-7 clicks.  Ride is a little bumpy at times, and is bad on big holes or large speed bumps, but I just avoid potholes and go slow over speed bumps.  Everywhere else, it's fine, and handles well.

 

I suppose your 13" wheels won't be helping matters as you've lost any damping from the tyre sidewalls.

[maccers]

I installed mini tastic fast road springs on 10" wheels and found it a bit bouncy, very comfy however. I removed them and put new rubber cones in and found them instantly stiffer, but also installed hi los, and solid front subframe mounts along with adjustable neg camber back and front, so like lots of changes all at once.

 

The coil springs were very comfy though, if I had a daily driver I'd use them no questions.

[Fast Ivan]

 

Ive got minitastic fast road with gaz lowered adjustable shocks. Found it good so far, need to raise car abit at the front as it scrapes on the arches when coming down off a speed hump or taking a hard corner. im happy with comfort etc. I fitted new lower arms rebound rubbers and made sure the springs are located fully. My car isnt extremely low so ive had no problems with the springs coming unseated etc.

 

Jordie

 

How did you order? Just email them? How long have you had them?

 

Based on your avatar 13s+sportspack arches? How high/low are you (wheel to arch gap). Is it too soft that it bottoms-out often? 

 

Won't be running them too low either. Right now, mines around 1.5inches from the arches (spack+13s also, tried running them at max low, but scraped everywhere lol.

 

 

I've recently ordered some, I phoned them. The total cost was £262, with vat and delivery

[classicoop]

Sounds to me like you've bought the completely wrong car. I don't think a mini can ever ride like a modern car, partly as you say due to the short wheelbase, also the small wheels, and short suspension travel.

 

Lol I know. I didn't think it would be this bouncy at speed. But slowly getting there. Doing a couple mods to make it more liveable. Gona turn this well handling car into an old-mans car, but lowered haha.

 

I installed mini tastic fast road springs on 10" wheels and found it a bit bouncy, very comfy however. I removed them and put new rubber cones in and found them instantly stiffer, but also installed hi los, and solid front subframe mounts along with adjustable neg camber back and front, so like lots of changes all at once.

 

The coil springs were very comfy though, if I had a daily driver I'd use them no questions.

 

Thanks for this. Was looking for some direct comparison. Was this on standard cones or red/yellow ones?

 

I've recently ordered some, I phoned them. The total cost was £262, with vat and delivery

 

 

Thanks =), Should've jumped on the Fast roads for sale on here.

[maccers]

Mine were standard cones from Mini Spares, not the uprated ones. Am still waiting for them to settle in before getting ride height set and geometry set up.

[Jordie]

 

Ive got minitastic fast road with gaz lowered adjustable shocks. Found it good so far, need to raise car abit at the front as it scrapes on the arches when coming down off a speed hump or taking a hard corner. im happy with comfort etc. I fitted new lower arms rebound rubbers and made sure the springs are located fully. My car isnt extremely low so ive had no problems with the springs coming unseated etc.

 

Jordie

 

How did you order? Just email them? How long have you had them?

 

Based on your avatar 13s+sportspack arches? How high/low are you (wheel to arch gap). Is it too soft that it bottoms-out often? 

 

Won't be running them too low either. Right now, mines around 1.5inches from the arches (spack+13s also, tried running them at max low, but scraped everywhere lol.

 

 

Ive got sports pack arches with 12x6 wheels. The wheel to arch gap is two fingers, which is probally the reason im getting the odd scrape under hard cornering or coming off steep road humps. My shocks are set quite soft aswell. It rides nicely, handles fine but its scraping under hard cornering due to the lack of arch gap compared to the suspension travel. I will adjust it up to give more clearence.

 

Its not bottoming out, just havent got enough clearence as it was set for "cosmetic" reasons.

 

I bought them 2nd hand from Maccers who has posted here. had them for 6months ish.

[classicoop]

Mine were standard cones from Mini Spares, not the uprated ones. Am still waiting for them to settle in before getting ride height set and geometry set up.

 

Great thanks.

 

Its not bottoming out, just havent got enough clearence as it was set for "cosmetic" reasons.

 

I bought them 2nd hand from Maccers who has posted here. had them for 6months ish.

 

 

PM me if you decide to sell them hehe =) Thanks.