I have swift springs on my R53, just the springs with stock struts (45k mi), not the coil overs. They deliver a much better ride than the stock ones did. In sweepers they work well. But in transitional turns they make the car feel like it's leaning back and forth a lot. I do have a 19mm rear sway bar. Do others that have swift springs see the same thing? If not are you still on stock struts? Thanks
My car was quite flat, on Swift springs with Bilstein B8's. I never ran the stock struts with lowering springs. How many miles do you have on your struts? I would expect 11 year old struts to be about shot... Lots of motion in transitional corners could just be the struts not damping at all...
I agree with BlimeyCabrio. I was using JCW Springs with stock JCW shocks (19mm bar and front camber plates) and started noticing a lot of unbalance during Auto-Xs. I have 96,000 miles on the original JCW springs/shocks. One of my front shocks is dead, does not compress or rebound smoothly when just compressed manually on a workbench. I know that, manual compression, is not a perfect test but it did show that the shock was not well. The shock had no signs of leaking just no longer worked well.
I'll chime in if its ok. I run the TSW V2 springs with the OEM Cooper S dampeners. I love the ride and it handles nicely when it sees a track (very seldom). Someday it will see new aftermarket shocks and struts, just because... The goal was to have a lowered car that I could enjoy a bit more than the stock set up provided, that my wife would still ride in. And, it is.
Originally I wanted to get the TSWs made they weren't being made at time. I was thinking it was probably the struts. Now I have to figure out what to get to keep a good ride and improve the handling. I don't do any track time only back roads in southern Ohio so track oriented struts aren't necessary.
I went with the Swift springs at around 12k and kept the OEM dampers so not many miles on it... The change improved the ride and handling... I now have about 25k on the MINI and have no issues... I suspect your dampers are the culprit Nick...
Yeah, those shocks are likely toast after 11 years. Re-pair them with some Bilsteins and I think you'll be a very happy camper.
It's all about how you are setting up the shocks (They are adjustable) and the Swift spring rates you select. You can make the car ride like a old Caddy or a Track car. :idea:
My current setup on the ridiculous GPR isn't harsh at all, even with full black bushings, huge swaybars, and Colin's coilovers. But my wife will NEVER ride in it, anyway. BONUS!
I think that as enthusiasts... we have a different idea of what 'harsh' is. I have people tell me a stock Cooper rides stiff. :crazy:
I'll have to check into it all when I get back from the Dragon. No time to do anything about it before hand.
Yep. I decided on H&R street coilovers and I'm VERY happy with them. Supple, smooth, quiet, and exactly how I like it.