Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Suspension quandary

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.

 

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.

 

Swift springs. Mucho better than the TSWs. I've run both.

 

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!

 

JCW springs. Send our friend Steven a pm at eMINIparts.com he can set you up. Plus the JCW springs are red & we all know that adds 20 HP.

 

I have a set of JCW springs with about 25,000 miles on them for 100.00 buck plus shipping if you'd like. Only reason I removed is because I upgraded to Swifts.

 

I need a larger font, that or learn to read better: At first glance on the phone, thought that the OP had a question about suppositories

 

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

 

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 ).

 

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.

 

Except my H-Sports which were powdercoated red

 

So you de-tuned yours.

 

One option: Save your money for the Swifts because the ones above are not even in the same league. Yes they are that good and worth every dollar.

 

JCW springs are not the wrong stuff. A whole JCW suspender kit would be all the right stuff. Just my .02....

 

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.

 

Those beta test springs noted above are now on my car with Koni Yellows and Vorschlag Camber Plates.