Suspension R56 lowering springs: options and specs
#352
#353
I might be getting a "Justa" 2009 next week and starting poking around. I see that H&R lists a part 50450 for the non-S and 50452 for the S. Does anyone know why an aftermarket company wouldn't condense these into a common part number? Is there a reason I can't use 50452 on a non-S?
#354
I think you will find that the Justa is a lighter car, in particular in the front where the S has the turbo and intercooler and other support items for that system... Therefore, a different spring is needed to achieve the same ride height between the 2 models. An S spring on a Justa will likely sit higher than it would with the proper spring.
That said, I would expect them to be interchangeable - I really don’t think the suspension setup is any different. Just likely stiffer ride if using S springs on a Justa.
#355
Lowering springs are overrated,
especially for our MINIs that have
such limited suspension compression
travel at stock height.
I used Koni Yellows (Sports) on my previous
R50 with stock springs and recommend
that combo heartily. I was never really
happy with lowering springs and Tokico
Illuminas on my old 1982 Rabbit.
I am about to put Koni Yellows on my
current R 55 with stock springs.
If you’re set on lowering, coilovers are the
only good option to retain decent suspension
travel, but you will also have to worry about
ground clearance more than with lowering
springs.
especially for our MINIs that have
such limited suspension compression
travel at stock height.
I used Koni Yellows (Sports) on my previous
R50 with stock springs and recommend
that combo heartily. I was never really
happy with lowering springs and Tokico
Illuminas on my old 1982 Rabbit.
I am about to put Koni Yellows on my
current R 55 with stock springs.
If you’re set on lowering, coilovers are the
only good option to retain decent suspension
travel, but you will also have to worry about
ground clearance more than with lowering
springs.
So the summary is this - springs are cheap but you’ll pay for it in shock wear and ride quality (I had springs on a heavier BMW and within a year or so my shocks went, they’d bottom out at every pothole).
I’d maybe agree on springs in Japan or in Germany, in other words countries that have some investment in infrastructure and decent roads - but North America? Nope. Pass.
#356
Hang on. No. I was with you until you said “ride height”. What you meant was “spring rate”. I would expect both springs to offer the same ride height, but as the front of the S is heavier, the springs should be a bit stiffer, not lower.
That said, I would expect them to be interchangeable - I really don’t think the suspension setup is any different. Just likely stiffer ride if using S springs on a Justa.
That said, I would expect them to be interchangeable - I really don’t think the suspension setup is any different. Just likely stiffer ride if using S springs on a Justa.
And I am only responding to your question about why different stock numbers...
If the spring rates are the same, and the free length is the same, hence they are interchangeable, then the ride height for the Justa will be different (that is: higher) than the S. Not the same.
ECS lists 1.4” drop for both the Justa and the S. If that is truly the case, then the springs will need to be different. The spring for the S as compared to the Justa will need to have a longer free length or higher spring rate, or some combination of the 2 in order to produce the same drop in a heavier car. In either case, the springs being different would necessitate different stock numbers.
Last edited by Eddie07S; 09-15-2021 at 07:35 AM. Reason: Edit
#357
I'm looking into coilovers this early spring for my R55 JCW and putting together a list of items.
- Erik
#358
Erik - I see you list your location as Broomfield, CO... Sorry to hear/see about the fires in that area. Hope all is OK.
#360
Also note that the front sway bar is a PIA to change.
With any change to spring rates (a sway bar is a spring), you should upgrade the shocks. Also note the MINI shocks are really poor. Actually they are pretty crappy and on a 10 year old car, they are shot. The S shocks are marginal as sports shock. If you are doing shocks then you should include front camber plates (IE fixed camberplates are a great option).
I am running a 27mm bar up front and a 25mm hollow bar in the rear in my R56 (see my signature). These are really good on the track, but pretty stiff for the street.
For the street I would recommend the JCW 23.5mm front bar and a 19mm for the rear and a set of Bilstein B6 shocks and the IE Camberplates. This also works well for an occasional track day, which I did many of on a similar setup.
Hope this helps...
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