20 replies to this topic

[richardhubb]

im thinking up up gradeing my suspension to some coilovers all round
the ones from mini spares for lowered cars ive heard are the best i just wondered if i would need to modify my subrame front or back or the arches?

[[email protected]]

They are designed to fit with the minimal of mods. A bracket set is supplied to mount the fronts, and the rear shocks have offset pins to avoid modding the rear arches

[richardhubb]

They are designed to fit with the minimal of mods. A bracket set is supplied to mount the fronts, and the rear shocks have offset pins to avoid modding the rear arches

thats brilliant i did think about the rears rubbing after i posted but if there supplied with offset pins jobs a gooden.

ive read some threads and people talk about didfferent weigth springs do i need to specify what i need as i have no idea?

[[email protected]]

No, the kits come with everything to convert a standard road going car with appropriate poundage

[t@z]

the lowered coil kits aren't forgiving and can give a rough ride as well as damper issues and brackets hitting the subframe if you lower them to much......well thats what i expereicnced and my mate is currently havign issues with.

[richardhubb]

the lowered coil kits aren't forgiving and can give a rough ride as well as damper issues and brackets hitting the subframe if you lower them to much......well thats what i expereicnced and my mate is currently havign issues with.

well what would you sujest as all i wont to do is have my wheels snugly fit im my miglia arches
would standard height ajustable go low enough?

[Guess-Works.com]

I would also be considering strengthening the shock mounts in the rear arches (and possibly the front)... they are not originally designed to take the sprung weight of the vehicle..

[t@z]

the lowered coil kits aren't forgiving and can give a rough ride as well as damper issues and brackets hitting the subframe if you lower them to much......well thats what i expereicnced and my mate is currently havign issues with.

well what would you sujest as all i wont to do is have my wheels snugly fit im my miglia arches
would standard height ajustable go low enough?

even the lower ones are low enough for it to be snug like you describe as i think you'll need new springs and turn the shocks to super hard as its the distance between the bracket and the subframe thats your limit. but it would make for one painful ride on a road car even mine before i sold it was back breaking lol

[richardhubb]

well i would like the top of the wheel to sit just below the bottom of the arches.

if i was to get coilovers would it be best to get lowerd version and wind them up or standard and wind them down?
from what people have said about coil overs they dont sound to good
i would like a smoother ride were possible, are coil overs a really ruff ride

so would just ajustable dampers do or will they rub on the arch?

[t@z]

well i would like the top of the wheel to sit just below the bottom of the arches.

if i was to get coilovers would it be best to get lowerd version and wind them up or standard and wind them down?
from what people have said about coil overs they dont sound to good
i would like a smoother ride were possible, are coil overs a really ruff ride

so would just ajustable dampers do or will they rub on the arch?

as i said i got the lowered version and didn't think they were that low to be honest but my mate has them as has to keep winding them up as the brackets keep banging on the subframe and the wheels rubbing.
they can work i think but honestly they aren't comfy lol

i think some people get used cones lower it with high lows and set the dampers to solid. but i dont think a comfy ride comes with a low car....

Edited by t@z, 22 May 2008 - 04:00 PM.

[supermotolee]

the problems i'm having is if you run the car on its lowest settings on the coilovers (not that low by the way) the brackets supplied hit the subframe i modified the brackets now the actual coil springs hit the inner wing brackets, if your not gonna go all that low then the coilovers are very comfy actually if you dont wind the dampers up hard... this is the spax minispares kit i've not seen the gaz ones fitted...

if you want to go low you have to run them ard so stuff doesnt rub i wouldnt sugest getting the normal ride height ones as the lowered arnt all that low.
i could run my car lower on old cones hi lows and spax dampers...

[JR.]

After buying my Mini I've just managed to get time to take the wheels off and check to see what I have on the suspension as its its very low. Its got Spax coilovers at the front (looks like Hi-lo's have been removed) and Avo's at the back with Hi-lo's. Every small bump in the road feels like a 6" pothole I've just driven over and feels like something is bottoming out.

I might have a look at either raising the rear adjusting the hi-lo's or fitting shorter or normal length shocks, but at the front there is no hi-lo's so may replace the coilovers and fit hi-lo's with short/normal shocks. Any advice appreciated

[JR.]

Hmm not much feedback, maybe I'll post some pics up tomorrow, but meantime if someone has fitted coilovers to the front of my Mini (and yes the bracket hits the subframe) would there be any reason to remove the Hi-lo's from the front as well.?
I only ask because the Coilovers provide Rebound and damping and I cant see how you would adjust height.

[steveobennet]

for the front coilovers, if you want to go really low then you need to fabricate a new lower bracket.

original



mine



jr - i take it you have coilovers up front and doughnuts at the rear? you can try backing off the stiffness of the shocks and see if that helps. the coilover ride height is set by the spring. its sits on a adjustable platform the screws up and down.

if you are running both doughnuts and coilover on the front or rear someone must have had the wrong idea. if you want to run coilover you remove the original mini suspension i.e. hilos, doughnuts, knuckles.

[JR.]

Steve thanks for the reply.
Yes I have Coilovers up front and doughnuts at the back with hi-lo's
It looks like part of the subframe has been cut away is this normal?



Mini spares doest mention that Coilovers does replace the Rubber doughnuts
so I guess my set up is correct but need to investigate why bracket is hitting the
subframe.

Edited by JR., 31 May 2008 - 08:06 PM.