I want to improve my handling a bit and flatten out the roll. First here is what it is currently. Stock R53 struts and springs, fixed camber plates, redone alignment, 19mm adjustable rear bar, 18" Continental DWS on light (20lbs) wheels. I am thinking about TWS springs. They would lower it a little and stiffen it up a little. In Ohio we can go too low and I don't want to kill the ride. But then I was reading that to flatten transitional roll it to get better struts. Are the springs the answer or are different struts the way to go? Ideally I'd do both but don't have the cash to do it all at once. Looking for advice, ideas and experiences.
I had H-Sports on my '06 S and the hard ride about killed me, as well as anyone riding with me. So, I put on TSWs and, WOW, what a difference! The car handles sooo much more efficiently. I love those springs! I still have oem struts, but have a heavy-duty rear sway bar, fixed camber plates, and adj. rear control arms. I'm on 16" R-84s. The H-Sports lowered the car more than the TSWs, but I honestly cannot tell a difference there. However, the TSWs are just a phenomenal setup for my car in terms of ride and agility. Like you, sure, I'd like to get some aftermarket struts, but money IS an issue right now, and the oem struts are still doing the job, so, I'll wait a bit on that.
I've had the KONI FSD struts and Alta sway bar set to max for a couple of years and love the difference. Very reminiscent of the old '60's English roadster road feel. MITM and MITO are even more so than they were. These guys have a dang good price on KONI and delivery was prompt. http://www.motoringwerks.com/c-631-mini-r53-suspension.aspx
If you do not want coil overs because of the cost you could get a set of Koni Yellows and add a set of Swift Spings. That will do the trick nicley. I live in the burbs of Philly so I know what your roads are like. :biggrin5: I have the Custom TSW / WMW KW V2's but the spings were too soft so I upgraded to a set of Swift Springs and love how that car rides now. I also have the below installed that helps a lot: Helix H-Sport Comp Sway bar Helix Adj. camber plates Helix adj. rear control arms Power grid adjustable end links all 4 corners Read more: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/member-garages/8680-mistress-2005-mini-mcs-jcw.html#ixzz2mca3bwS8
I ran a setup like you describe for a few years... TSW springs with stock struts, fixed camber plates up front. I was on the beta test version of the TSW springs that were a bit lower (1/2 inch) than the final production spec. I loved the way that the car felt. Note that your stock struts will wear out more quickly on the lowered springs and they may be nearing the end of their life right now if they are the original set installed at the factory. You won't know until you install the springs and let 'em settle a few days / 100 miles, but I needed adjustable lower control arms to dial in the rear camber... my R53 was heavily optioned and I carried a lot of stuff in the boot at all times.
Some pics (remember that I had the slightly lower beta test springs) are on this thread, near the end. New TSW Products in the werks... - Page 4 - MetroplexMINI I think that this is the most useful pic, an overlay of 'before' and 'after' that I did, centering the photos on the center of the wheel hubs, so you can see how much the car dropped.
Nick the cheapest thing you could do is put a set of either Swift or TSW springs on your stock struts. Ask Metal man how he likes his Swift springs. If I am remembering correctly he is on stock struts, IE fixed camber plates & Swift springs. Having a JCW suspender package on my MINI all I can say is heck yes!!! Not the cheapest way to go, but a very good one for me. Call Steven at eminiparts he can set you up.
And when I took the TSW springs off (my stock shocks were dead), I went to KW coilovers v2 which I loved, but were pretty stiff for daily driver use (Driver loved the car... passengers, not so much ).
I am running the swifts with Koni Yellows on the R56, full soft on the Koni's. My 19 is set full soft, too. It is very, very nice on the highway and trips up into the Mountains. Was excellent on my recent trip down to Texas, then AK (MITO) then back home to Colorado. Very predictable on those occasional track lapping days. I am not running front chamber plates, but I do have H-Sport rear adjustable for alignment, MINI is set for an agressive JCW alignment by the Schomp MINI senior techs. Don
Nick lowering your MINI will require a set of adjustable rear arms to get the added caber back in check. I'm using H-Sport recommend them. Add the cost of another alignment too.
I ran the JCW suspension with Vorshlag camber plates up front and H-Sport adjustable links in rear for about 4 years on my 06 R53. I really liked the feel, but this past year I switched to Swift springs with the JCW struts and all I can say is what a difference!
Stiffer sway bars will remove some roll without going lower if that is a concern. I know it helped reduce outside tire wear on my car in a dramatic manner. Just another thing to consider.
Nick, see if Jeff will let you drive his JCW. When I had it I put NM springs and Koni Yellows on it that's what I also have on the Coupe. Good handling, with 25 mm completion bar without sacrificing ride. Or take my Coupe for a ride although it rotates differently than a hardtop.
It's a real shame our friend Jason traded his MINI in with a brand spanking new JCW suspension kit under it. Had we know he could have sold it & made some money.