Coilovers

[briain]

Hi
This is my first post had a mini for a few months now and am looking to do a few upgrades including the suspension. So I'm looking at putting on a coilover kit. Everything I've read is either very positive or very negative about them their doesn't seem to be a middle ground on this. So who has them? what do they think of them? and what are the alternatives? I'm looking for a better ride quality mainly because of speed bumps and the like without screwing the handling up. All info is appreciated

[DaveC]

Welcome to the forum
I have no experience of coilovers but somebody will have

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Have you considered the Moulton Smooth-a-ride kit, I think Zak has them fitted.

[briain]

Have you considered the Moulton Smooth-a-ride kit, I think Zak has them fitted.

I've heard of them but don't know much about them, but anything is an option

[StanO'Toole]

If you were to go on to a Mini parts web-site ie. Minisport and find an item of interest just open a new tab and google it. It seems to help me when I'm in doubt.

StanO'Toole

[coop]

I dont know about the coilovers but I have fitted the minitastic fast road coil spring conversion to my car about six months ago with lowered gaz dampers and the ride quality is much improved and the car doesnt roll much around corners when I firm up the dampers a bit to 6 on the front and 3 on the back. He also sells soft springs, which are very comfortable but body roll is too much in my opinion

http://www.minitastic.co.uk/home1.htm

[hughesmarkie]

I personally prefare coilovers on my modified mini's (mainly for track use or weekend warrior) as it allows me to ajust the spring rates I can use that combined with the rest of the geometry to give a nice pointy car with just about zero understeer and what I feel from using both is better balance!

For a pure road car though I wouldnt fit coilovers as they do stress the shell a little with 4 people and a boot full of stuff You also don't necesserally need, or indeed want, a razor sharp car for road use... or do you

[sanguiss]

I was talking to Jocelyn, according to him the coilovers will destroy the subframes in the long run, this said though I don't have any experience with them.

[briain]

I personally prefare coilovers on my modified mini's (mainly for track use or weekend warrior) as it allows me to ajust the spring rates I can use that combined with the rest of the geometry to give a nice pointy car with just about zero understeer and what I feel from using both is better balance!

For a pure road car though I wouldnt fit coilovers as they do stress the shell a little with 4 people and a boot full of stuff You also don't necesserally need, or indeed want, a razor sharp car for road use... or do you

Were they hard to setup? I've actually gone and ordered them. I want a fairly sharp car don't need it as a daily driver got my bike for that so its more about fun. Have you had any problems with damage to the subframes?

[The Marcos Graveyard]

What poundage springs did you order ?

Are all your bearings and bushes in good order, knuckle joints not worn, have you hi-lo's fitted ? Which shocks have you gone with ?

[briain]

What poundage springs did you order ?

Are all your bearings and bushes in good order, knuckle joints not worn, have you hi-lo's fitted ? Which shocks have you gone with ?

I ordered the gaz kit from hudderfield spares. So didn't have options on springs, nothing looks to bad bearing and knuckle joint wise but I wont know till I take it apart

[hughesmarkie]

Anytime Ive fitted coilovers as TMG was hinting to you Always check the overall condition of your suspension components, Ive always replaced any of my bushings or worn suspension parts when fitting them, TBH Ive never heard of coilovers damaging subframes! I always replace the rear with a beam axle, does anyone know where the damage occurs, is it in the same location or is it a fitting issue?
regards, Mark

[briain]

Anytime Ive fitted coilovers as TMG was hinting to you Always check the overall condition of your suspension components, Ive always replaced any of my bushings or worn suspension parts when fitting them, TBH Ive never heard of coilovers damaging subframes! I always replace the rear with a beam axle, does anyone know where the damage occurs, is it in the same location or is it a fitting issue?
regards, Mark

Cool ordered the beam aswell. have heard of clearance issues if you don't get offset brackets with the kit. It probably a good idea to replace bushing should of ordered them with the kit but didn't think of it