1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: H-Sport vs TSW Ride Comfort

Thanks again!

 

I just placed my TSW order tonite! Can't wait until I can put 'em on next week...

 

OK so I just finished the suspension mods this past Saturday. Piece-a-cake! Thanks to some help from my race partner and shop buddys. I can really notice the difference in the car's handling. I did three seperate mods at one time so it's hard to know which one thing made the most difference. WTH, it doesn't really matter, does it......
I went with the WMW/TSW springs, the H-Sport 19mm rear sway bar and the Madness under strut bar. Now that the weather has cleared I can get into the foothills and really see how the car goes. It oughta be a good time!

 

Hello from Tehachapi, Firebro17. Enjoy the drive on those new parts!

 

Hey there Mike. Thanks... We'll be passing thru on our way to Vegas in May 18th. U going too? Also, I've got a great friend that works for Kern Co Fire who lives there in Tehachapi. Keep in touch via P/M...

 

Do you have to cut the bumpstops with the TSW springs?

 

Yes.

Alternatively, H-Sport includes replacement bump stops in their kit, and you can order them separate from the springs. Hotchkiss part number is 19800RB.

Hotchkis Sport Suspension 19800RB - Hotchkis Sport Suspension Bump Stops - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

Yes you cut the factory bumpstops. We are actually coming out with our own bumpstops soon, just need to get the manufacture price right.

 

Thanks for answering, I'm having automotive connoisseur group in san diego order and install my springs, I assume they're in stock (as I haven't heard anything from them otherwise after they placed the order from Way). Can't wait to get them on in time for autocross. Should I just have them cut the factory ones in half? Is there any way they can call you guys for instructions?

 

Does the dustboot fit on those? I have a set of aftermarket bumpstops that came with my used Konis but they are reeeeally firm and not very progressive. Hitting them would suck and I know with the super short travel of this car I would be hitting them or riding them. They look a little different then those h-sport ones. I have the OEM's on for now. With my mild drop springs (tein h-tech) I did not cut the bumpstops up front and it feels fine. I probably should have though.

- Andrew

 

No, the dust boot doesn't fit on the H-sport bump stops, they're pretty small in diameter. The stock bump stop is basically two sections, one half is solid and the other half flares out to hold the dust boot but is hollow. I cut the hollow part off and fit that around the H-sport poly bump stops, so the dust boot is sealed off and the poly bushing is contained within.

BTW, TSW's install instructions say to "cut the bump stop in half." I'm still not sure whether they mean to cut the hollow portion off from the solid portion, or whether you just cut the solid portion in half, which would leave it at about 66% of the original height. Using the H-sport bump stops meant I never had to answer that question, but I'm still not sure of the correct answer.

 

What i was going to do was to cut part of the firmer section off, so that there would still be the softer progression ramping up to a (shorter) firmer section.

- Andrew

 

I actually cut the softer portion off of my bumpstops when I installed my TSW's. Ride is great!

 

I must have missed the answer somewhere. Will the FSD's work with the TSW springs. And if so, the question asked was, will the FSD's raise the car's ride height?

 

Yes, they'll work. PM BlimeyCabrio - he has TSW + FSD.

 

Same here.........TSW V1 with FSD for over 4 yrs

I got no noticeable raise in height with mine.

 

The contention seems to be that the Koni will sustain valving damage when used in this application. As a result, if this does happen, Koni won't warranty the unit. So, it sounds like maybe the TSW springs may be ok then. But, I do remember Waylan stating, more than once, that this combination should not be done... I certainly respect all input, but as I'm sure you guessed, it all leads one to become more confused as the opinions are provided.

On a seperate note: How does your MINI ride with the FSDs and the TSW springs? What I don't want is for the car to be any stiffer or rough than it already is. I drive it daily and have to keep peace as I chauffeur the better half to points unknown.

Thanks for your guys' input.

 

Well it is definitely stiffer than stock. On maintained roads it is a very nice setup, but any harsh surfaces will be a lot more noticeable. My wife is not a fan of the ride, but will take freeway trips with no problem.

Before I bought the springs and shocks I had some nice email exchanges with TSW about this very concern and they were very comfortable with recommending the FSD's as a damper with their spings. Looking back I probably should have gone with the Koni Yellows and had the option to soften them up for when the wife comes along.

 

Well said for sure. Thanks very much for the input. BlimeyCabrio was an awesome help as well. Thanks!