R56 R56 Softer Springs
#1
R56 Softer Springs
After reading many posts about lowering the car (is not my plan but it is not a problem) I'm understanding that by changing my stock springs could be a great mode to get a softer car (what I want).
My car: Mini R56 2010 Base (non-S)
My problem is bumpy road/streets, so since I'm running JCW wheels on 215/45-17 I'm going to the rim repair shop every 3/6 months. Today, one repair value is $ 150 for the 4 rims. Yes, I know.
First I was searching for the best "look" 15x8 / 15x9 rims.
I can't get the perfect look like the R53 can, without lowering my R56.
But after some research in the forum I could read that my springs are "hard" and changing it could help to get two great mods:
1) Lowering the car about 1.5' (OK, it is not a problem BUT is not what I'm looking for)
2) Get a softer drive without changing my shocks because the OEM springs are "hard" and the shocks surely should be almost as new.
So, the question is:
My problem with bumpy roads and 17' wheels could be not solved but minimized by moving to a softer spring? (I'm trying to change my 17's to 15's today to get this).
If yes, any brand/model to buy? (NM, H&R, etc)
Thank you !
My car: Mini R56 2010 Base (non-S)
My problem is bumpy road/streets, so since I'm running JCW wheels on 215/45-17 I'm going to the rim repair shop every 3/6 months. Today, one repair value is $ 150 for the 4 rims. Yes, I know.
First I was searching for the best "look" 15x8 / 15x9 rims.
I can't get the perfect look like the R53 can, without lowering my R56.
But after some research in the forum I could read that my springs are "hard" and changing it could help to get two great mods:
1) Lowering the car about 1.5' (OK, it is not a problem BUT is not what I'm looking for)
2) Get a softer drive without changing my shocks because the OEM springs are "hard" and the shocks surely should be almost as new.
So, the question is:
My problem with bumpy roads and 17' wheels could be not solved but minimized by moving to a softer spring? (I'm trying to change my 17's to 15's today to get this).
If yes, any brand/model to buy? (NM, H&R, etc)
Thank you !
#2
Why not go for 16" wheels? More than a few have gone from 17's to 16's and described the ride to be much nicer. Check out this thread HERE. Some more HERE and HERE. Are you still running on run flat tires? Switching out the run flats for normal tires will also improve your ride feel.
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#3
#4
Thanks for the links.
I'm running normal tyres since first day (non run flat)
#5
Yes, actually I'm offering my 17 non run flat wheels to buy the new ones (16'? rim + tyres).
And I must admit I'm a little obsessed with the aesthetics and it is really difficult to find something that matches or exceeds the aesthetics of the JCW 17 wheels on the R56 with no other mods related to suspension.
#6
#7
For aesthetics, there are some decently good looking 16" wheels out there. It just depends on how much you want to pay for them. Something like 3SDM wheels HERE, which many MINI owners run the 0.05 wheels. I think they go for about $200 a wheel. As far as springs go, lowering the car with a spring may not essentially give you the softer ride that you want. It does, of course, depend on the spring rate of the spring, but typically with coil overs you have a much larger range of adjustability to help with ride comfort. A lot of people go with KW V3's for this reason.
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#8
For aesthetics, there are some decently good looking 16" wheels out there. It just depends on how much you want to pay for them. Something like 3SDM wheels HERE, which many MINI owners run the 0.05 wheels. I think they go for about $200 a wheel. As far as springs go, lowering the car with a spring may not essentially give you the softer ride that you want. It does, of course, depend on the spring rate of the spring, but typically with coil overs you have a much larger range of adjustability to help with ride comfort. A lot of people go with KW V3's for this reason.
It's that correct or I'm wrong?
#9
I'm not looking for springs for lowering the car.
I like some 16 x 8.25 I could see the last weekend ...
#10
If you put softer springs in, the wheel will move upward more than with stiffer springs. You have less spring rate (lbs/inch) which means the same force on the wheel (lbs) gives you more inches of movement upward. But at the same time, you have cut down on the total range of motion of the suspension, by lowering the car. Which means you can run out of travel much more easily, either getting into the bump stops (which are hard rubber/plastic) or by having the metal parts crash into each other.
Neither of those is very good for your ride comfort.
There is a reason that it is almost impossible to get lowering springs that have lower (softer) spring rates than the stock springs do.
I think your best option is to find tires with taller side-walls. If that means going to 15" or 16" wheels, then that's what it means.
#12
A certain bump at a certain speed will exert a specific amount of force to your wheel. Doesn't matter what suspension, what wheel, or anything else. (OK, that's an oversimplification, but it's close enough for this discussion.)
If you put softer springs in, the wheel will move upward more than with stiffer springs. You have less spring rate (lbs/inch) which means the same force on the wheel (lbs) gives you more inches of movement upward. But at the same time, you have cut down on the total range of motion of the suspension, by lowering the car. Which means you can run out of travel much more easily, either getting into the bump stops (which are hard rubber/plastic) or by having the metal parts crash into each other.
Neither of those is very good for your ride comfort.
There is a reason that it is almost impossible to get lowering springs that have lower (softer) spring rates than the stock springs do.
I think your best option is to find tires with taller side-walls. If that means going to 15" or 16" wheels, then that's what it means.
If you put softer springs in, the wheel will move upward more than with stiffer springs. You have less spring rate (lbs/inch) which means the same force on the wheel (lbs) gives you more inches of movement upward. But at the same time, you have cut down on the total range of motion of the suspension, by lowering the car. Which means you can run out of travel much more easily, either getting into the bump stops (which are hard rubber/plastic) or by having the metal parts crash into each other.
Neither of those is very good for your ride comfort.
There is a reason that it is almost impossible to get lowering springs that have lower (softer) spring rates than the stock springs do.
I think your best option is to find tires with taller side-walls. If that means going to 15" or 16" wheels, then that's what it means.
Understood
#13
#14
Since yesterday I have a buyer waiting for my JCW wheels
I will be buying 16x8 aftermarket:
Tyres: 205/55r16
The shop is not selling at this moment 215/50r16 (what I want).
Options: 215/55r16 or 205/55r16
The 215/55r16 seems to be too tall and the wheel will be greater than my actual 215/45r17 (gap compromised)
I will be buying 16x8 aftermarket:
Tyres: 205/55r16
The shop is not selling at this moment 215/50r16 (what I want).
Options: 215/55r16 or 205/55r16
The 215/55r16 seems to be too tall and the wheel will be greater than my actual 215/45r17 (gap compromised)
#15
Just moved to Rays Volk 16x8 with new Roadstone "test tyres" on 205/50.
Very happy with the rims look!
Now testing changes on comfort & ability handling.
Ready for black & metalized Plastidip (there was no rim color options at the shop)
Ready for a "Mini" center cap (Rays center cap it is too tall and the Volk logo is not nice)
Thank you to all for your time and advices!
I will be posting new pictures
Very happy with the rims look!
Now testing changes on comfort & ability handling.
Ready for black & metalized Plastidip (there was no rim color options at the shop)
Ready for a "Mini" center cap (Rays center cap it is too tall and the Volk logo is not nice)
Thank you to all for your time and advices!
I will be posting new pictures
#17
Wow! Looks very good! Good wheel choice.
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#18
#20
ET 30. That was the buying factor
I was thinking in using wheel spacers for my old JCW wheels.
These have exceeded my expectations.
The view from the front and the rear is just very perfect.
Tested and not rubbing under hard driving conditions.
Since we are under rain since 10 days, after plastidip I will be posting new pictures from all the angles.
I was thinking in using wheel spacers for my old JCW wheels.
These have exceeded my expectations.
The view from the front and the rear is just very perfect.
Tested and not rubbing under hard driving conditions.
Since we are under rain since 10 days, after plastidip I will be posting new pictures from all the angles.
Last edited by miniuy; 06-05-2017 at 06:47 AM.
#22
#24
Mini Mania suspension selections
http://new.minimania.com/Search_Results/springs/All
#25