Okay so I haven't been as active around here as usual, my fiance has been driving my car for the better part of a year, I just got it back as I got her an eos. So here goes-

The car has had H&R springs on it for as long as I can remember, with some 16" Flik FTDs and agressive tires (no, not R compounds, though I did have hankook rs2s for a while, a little noisy). Car also has alta endlinks. Anyway, I got the car back, did a few fun mods, oem sirius, JCW alcantara wheel, shift boot, ebrake boot, which all look great and make it much better to drive. But I wanted more.... I've wanted camber plates since I got my car, and now that I'm driving it every day again, it was about time to pull the trigger on some new toys. I contacted Dustin@ Autoxcooper about some coilovers actually, and he told me he suggested TSW springs and IE fixed plates. Though initially I thought I wanted coilovers- I figured this was a good way to go as its a good bit cheaper, and still uses my stock sport shocks, which aren't too shabby. I also scooped up some carbotech front brake pads, also from Dustin.

Fast forward to today. All of my parts came within 3-4 days, the brakes came in about a day (hows that for customer service!!!). Had them put in. Was shocked at how high the car is (the springs have to settle....). So I got in the car. As I'm driving, I notice the big bumps aren't nearly as jarring. Lots of traffic so I don't have a change to get on it much. The brakes are suddenly much easier to modulate. I then tried some spirited driving. HOLY CRAP!! The camber plates made a HUGE difference, the car tried to rotate on me in a corner, its absolutely GREAT. The springs made a huge difference too, the combination is lethal. This car was a weapon in traffic before.... On the way home tonight I drove a little more "spirited" too. HOLY CRAP again, the car is now a surgical instrument in traffic. I can't even begin to explain how happy I am. I decided to bed in the brakes as per Dustin's instructions. Wow do these things stop, and they are incredible in the feel department. I'm pretty excited. And for me to be excited even though my car looks like an SUV right now is pretty amazing. I'm waiting for the springs to settle, then an alignment. I can't believe how GREAT this car is now. This is really the ultimate combination...

FWIW my car is an 07 S with LSD and sport suspension. This is really a great combo. I don't really think I need a rear bar now....

THANK YOU DUSTIN, IE, TSW!!!
I love this car even more now. Should have come like this from the factory.

(Sorry for the super long post, and please ask questions, I'm so impressed with these parts...)
If you want the "Josh Package," hit up Dustin from www.autoxcooper.com. You will NOT be dissapointed.

 

It all sounds wonderful with the exception of the SUV comment. :( How long do the springs take to settle? I'm dying for some pics here Josh.... hook us up!

 

No pics. Its really jacked right now. Coming from the H&Rs to unsettled TSWs is a bit of a big deal lol. In 1000 miles I'll post pics, until then, sorry no

 

OK, I'll bug you in 3 months.

 

Got nearly 30k on it already, you wont have to wait long!

 

Most have found them settled within just a tank of gas.

 

Haven't been driving it much this week. Will work it out in traffic again.

Honestly- even if it stayed this height (which it wont) I don't give a *****. The car handles so unbelievably well I don't care. And thats saying something from someone who had a nice drop from H&Rs and enjoyed it.

 

Good you went with this setup. I'm going to back off my 19mm rear sway to the softest setting.

What do the IE fixed camber plates give you for negative camber?

I have about 900 miles on my TSW spring install, you will retain some of the SUV look, but as you said the ride and performance rocks.

Lots of pictures in the other TSW R56 spring thread for those looking to see the subtle drop.

Install pictures start about here. TSW R56 SPRINGS.

I'm still waiting on an alignment, since we measured and marked everything as we did the install. Probably do it when I put on some new tires in a few weeks.

 

Same here, waiting for the springs to settle for an alignment. Best guess is around 1.5 degrees right now, car really needed this!

 

I just installed TSW springs yesterday as well (ran the H&Rs for a week) and went to pick some TSWs up from Jeff on a whim because he's local. However, I also did rear control arms at the same time (though I probably don't 'need' them - that's another story). However, now I'm curious about the alignment aspect of it. I know I should wait until the springs settle but I know my camber is probably way off since I removed the LCAs and 'guesstimated' on the new ones. Any thoughts on what you guys would do? Is there a way to get them 'close' so that I won't tear up my tires while I'm waiting for these springs to settle?

 

The IE Fixed Plates are set at -1.25 when you put them on top of lowering springs you get another -0.25 on avg.

I'd get into an alignment shop ASAP to save your tires. When you installed the new arms you could have set the new arms using the old ones then you would have know you were safe to run a few hundred miles before alignment.

I also encourage my friends over 200 pounds, like me, that drive most miles solo to be in the MINI drivers seat during the alignment. The MINI will camber out the rear when larger people sit down on one side. Plus it's fun to help the tech and see how the stuff works. Just don't start asking the tech 1001 questions while they are working on your MINI.

 

Blacksapphire - I'd get the car aligned asap, but at a place that offers a warranty. That way, once the springs settle, you can just go back and get it straightened out again.

 

Good info. I was smart on one side and marked the adjuster when I removed the control arm. On the other side, I wasn't so smart (got in a rush and then went 'doh!'). As for the arms themselves, I matched the lengths to the OEM arms. So, one side was a 'guess' and the other side is 'not so much'.

I'll definitely sit in the driver's seat when they do it... I'm 6'3" 240lbs.

 

You should do the camber plates, you have no idea what you're missing out on!