Since these are linear springs, are they going to be pretty stiff?

My Mach V's....even though they are progressive rated, are brutal on these horrible LA roads. I don't really mind the firm ride, and love the drop they give...but I'm almost embarassed to have people ride in my car for any length of time. Nearly everyone that does always comments on how stiff and rough it is. Still, I'll take that over the floaty stock springs anyday!

I'd be interested to see how these TSW's are as I've always heard good things, but I'd imagine they'll be even stiffer than what I have.

 

I know I've had all my customers with TSW Springs on the R53, R50 and R52 that came off the OEM, JCW's, H&R's and M7 springs I say the ride is better and those that AutoX, Track or just play hard in the twisty say they handle better too. I trust/hope that is the same report we will see from our R56/55 customers too.

 

Yes, generally linear springs are very stiff, but well worth it when it comes to ride. In the Audi VW world, Shine Racing's Real Street Kit is the cat's n**s; they use linear springs. I would think that either TSW or the JCW springs which are also supposedly linear would be awesome. I'm holding out for TSWs and aftermarket dampers, less $$ and hopefully more options.

 

Linear rate springs can be anything you WANT them to be - limp or stiff, depending on how much you rub them. Well, okay, that's not exactly it - it depends on wire diameter, winding pitch and the shape.

I think our R50/R53/R52 springs ride better than ANY other spring on the market AND provide exceptional performance. They are most definitely NOT brutal - they're matched up to the OEM strut/shock very, very well. And, that's what we're aiming to do again.

There's NO reason a spring has to be harsh to provide performance handling. We want a modest drop, exceptional ride AND great handling. If we did it on the R50/R53/R52 platform, we can do it again.

It's why we've gone through two prototype sets already - we didn't quite hit it the first two times. Hopefully, we got it this time. And, let me just say, hand wound prototype springs are most definitely NOT cheap (nor quickly wound) - but, it's gotta be right. I think the patience (and investment to date) is about to pay off... We'll know tomorrow afternoon!

 

Install is finished... the R56 spring rates are AWESOME! The ride KILLS the OEM springs by a HUGE MARGIN!!! Testing is being done on a Cooper with the sport package - the owner (a track junkie) is tickled to death with the ride and performance.

We're awaiting a settled height measurement at the end of next week and a post Eagles Canyon track day test next weekend, but we're EXTREMELY pleased with the way these turned out... We NAILED the spring rates (I'll post these later, after we've got production springs ready to ship)!!!

We should have finished R56 springs ready to ship in the next 3 weeks!!!

 

The first set of springs I'm actually excited about

 

This probably goes without saying, but... pictures, please! After they settle, of course.

 

What part of Texas you in?I live in the Dallas area , and would be interested in getting some installed from you of course.

 

Plano...

 

Pictures? Yes, of course...

And tech data? We'll share that as well...

 

By "killed" do you mean you have greatly increased the ride compliance over stock? That would be awesome to have a slightly lower car with a better ride than stock. I'm extremely interested.

 

Oh, it's better than stock... By a fair margin. Just like our R50/R53 springs, they match up with the OEM struts/shocks BETTER than the OEM springs!!!

Here is the initial, subjective report from the current guinea pig:

"Now I'll get off the objective and get to subjective. One bounce over the pyramid on Falcon turning off Independence. No expansion joint slap.

I took the George Bush Turnpike back to the Mid Cities. Newest road in the Metroplex so not too much pavement heave. What I did notice was that I was going way faster than I thought I was going.

That led me to test some other things. There is a spot on 121/820 going north next to Northeast Mall where the pavement changes from asphalt to concrete. In the past when I've had the window down that transition has scared me to death. There was a high speed kind of howl made me think that the tires were coming apart. I've never had that happen in any of my other vehicles. With your springs on, that howl has disappeared.

Also when I near home yesterday, there is a pretty sharp left turn that I tend to take fairly fast. Yesterday, I hung the left and was really surprised that the car went where I told it to instead of where I expected it to go.

I think you've really got a great match between the stock shocks and your springs. Everyone could benefit from less high frequency road noise in the cabin. I don't know if you've ever ridden a bicycle on a newly chip-sealed road, but on the stock springs my car was at least as miserable if not worse than being on the bike.

Great product, nicer quieter ride, better cornering, we'll see what happens at ECR!"

ECR = Eagles Canyon Raceway (http://www.eaglescanyon.com). He's gonna pound on 'em out there for us...

 

That's a great 1st report! Great Job TSW

 

Sounds great. I've been looking for a way to lower my MCS and have been waiting on these due to such great response for the r53.

Plus the 1" in front and 3/4" rear drop, sounds perfect to me.

 

Wow, these sound awesome!

I think I must be the only one on this thread that wishes they had more drop though....

 

No...I wouldn't mind 1 - 1.1...ha ha

 

200 mile update:

"The ride, even on the freeway is so much better, and quieter."

Springs are still settling in, so we're waiting to get final measurements at the end of the week after 500 miles and a track day...

If anything, we may end up making a final adjustment to the static length (still shooting for a 1" drop in front and 3/4" drop in the rear), but the rates are spot on!

 

Forgive me as I'm a first time MINI owner and I've spent 3 months loitering this website.

Will the springs that are undergoing testing be a fit for the Clubman? I suspect not but I have to ask. If not, I assume a Clubman variation is many months down the road (if at all).

Curious, as I am looking to improve the daily commute with the 17" Konig's (non-Runflats).

 

Based on a review of www.realoem.com it looks like the rear springs in the R55 Clubman are different then the R56, I would bet they are a higher spring rate to allow for more load in the wagon. Also know that the Rear R52 OEM Springs are a higher rate then the R53 or R50. While the TSW springs may "fit" an R55 I would bet the rear would sit lower on an R55 than R56 and would limit the load of the R55 making the "space" less useful with heavy loads. I know a few R52 owners running TSW Springs without issue, but they also don't have the space to carry much more weight in the back. Just some things to think about.

 

Yup, we'll test fit them...

 

Post autocross update:

Got to see the test car in action yesterday at the autocross, running right after an R56 Cooper and Cooper S variants - since I was starting cars, I had a great view of the first sequence, which was a hard left, crossover, and a really fast left-hand sweeper (270 degrees). Our test car was a WHOLE lot flatter and transitioned much quicker than those on OEM springs...

The test mule has ~600 miles on the springs, plus an autocross, and we're still tickled to death with the ride - other R56 owners have commented that it's a 'whole 'nuther level'. Final settled ride height has shown that we need to make a final adjustment on static lengths, as we didn't get the ride height change we wanted - should be right at 1" drop in front and 3/4" drop in back on the Production versions. We expect to get Production going this week.

 

so when should we see these for sale?

 

^^^^ What he said. I'm looking at getting springs soon.

Would I have to buy anything else with the springs to help adjust/correct the alignment on the car after the install?

 

3-4 weeks... Just in time for holiday shopping!

 

We would suggest a set of adjustable lower rear control arms to get back to a better rear camber setting, but it won't be a necessity... Also, to optimize handling, we'll soon have camber plates to dial in some more negative camber in the front.