Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Mystery springs...help me figure these things out

  1. miniconcarne

    miniconcarne New Member

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    #2 miniconcarne, May 16, 2009
    I looked on realoem.com (I'm sure you did also) and nothing available info wise without VIN. Or;

    "The choice of proper coil springs depends on the options installed on your vehicle. Refer to your local BMW dealer for details."

    I am only guessing that these are factory installed springs and have no idea as to the different lables or uses.

    Baiscally I'm no help at all:eek:.
     
  2. Deviant

    Deviant Banned

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    #3 Deviant, May 16, 2009
    Wasn't John Cooper Motorsports the independent part of the Cooper Works factory that BMW didn't buy out? I can't find any website for them but I remember hearing about other parts from them.
    Perhaps a call to Eibach can shed some light on them?
     
  3. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #4 Steve, May 16, 2009
    The guy told me about their intended use but couldn't tell me anything about the rates or the shocks/struts with which they were originally mated. I put them on a shelf planning to learn more before deciding what to do with them and then forgot I had them until now.

    Seems like he said they were removed from a set of coilovers designed for a Challenge car.....something like that.....which might explain why I was interested in a set of springs about which I knew no important details.

    I suppose contacting Eibach might be the best idea.....should have thought of that myself (thanks).
     
  4. Deviant

    Deviant Banned

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    #5 Deviant, May 16, 2009
    Well, using the Challenge car clue I found a .pdf at this site (About a third way down the page): ts’ racing sport report MINI Challenge Club Sport R53 Race Cars in Detail

    The section of the rules regarding the spring reads:
    Mind you this relates to the R53 and is translated from German, it also mentions KW but not Eibach so I don't know if it's any help.
     
  5. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #6 k-huevo, May 16, 2009
  6. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #7 Steve, May 17, 2009
    Thanks for the tip; I sent him an email. Have you dealt with him yourself?
     
  7. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #8 k-huevo, May 17, 2009
    Yes, he has answered JCM questions for me in the past, he has a sense of humor. It may take a few days or a week for him to respond.
     
  8. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #9 Steve, May 17, 2009
    Since I'm not in a big hurry, that works. I'll post answers here.....if I get any.

    In the meantime, if anyone else has any good info, please post up.

    thanks
     
  9. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #10 Steve, May 18, 2009
    I heard back from Tony:

    So, they were from an Eibach spring + Bilstein shock setup spec for the '04 Challenge, and they're apparently suitable as replacement springs over stock struts/shocks. I'm going to ask him whether he knows any other details to help determine their effect as stock spring replacements, etc, but so far so good!
     
  10. miniconcarne

    miniconcarne New Member

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    #11 miniconcarne, May 18, 2009
    Nice! Info is cool.
     
  11. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #12 k-huevo, May 19, 2009
    I doubt the front spring seat coil will fit the lower spring perch of an OE strut.
     
  12. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #13 Steve, May 19, 2009
    That rang true as soon as I read it, but I pulled my old set of OE struts off the shelf to confirm.....they definitely don't look like direct swap candidates. I wonder what Tony was thinking of when he said they'll fit as direct replacements.
     
  13. GrAy RaVeN

    GrAy RaVeN New Member

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    #14 GrAy RaVeN, May 19, 2009
    How about a call to Bilstein instead of Eibach....they must have contracted out to Eibach for these springs....so maybe they can set you up with a price of Bilstein coilovers these go to.

    And if I am not mistaken, all 1st Gen JCW Sport Suspensions are a Bilstein set up....so maybe they were removed from a JCW ?