http://www.minicooperspeed.com/minic...er-adjustment/

You only end up with a tiny bit more camber, but every little bit helps.

- Andrew

 

ok, read the entire thread - lots of awesome info, thx guys and gals. among all of the positive reviews of the NM springs i learned: a) need to cut bump stops b) need to do an alignment after the springs settle in a bit...

questions:
a) will tires wear unevenly?
b) which sway bar would you recommend - 19 or 22mm? the car is mostly DD, but will do some AutoX and HPDEs. i am looking for a neutral car, but if i were to choose between snappy or slightly pushy car, i'd go with the pushy as it is a DD. my current OEM sport suspension set up is VERY pushy...

thx a lot

 

a few answers:
a) in my case, as far as I can tell yes, it looks like pretty even/normal wear
b) I don't have a sway bar (yet) but I've heard the 19mm is more than enough for this car....but this one is better answered by guys who have installed a sway bar

good luck

 

I'd recommend some camber plates and a 19mm rear bar.

- andrew

 

Install of the NM springs will change the camber on the rear from the OEM -1.5deg. to about -2.5deg. This is great for track/AutoX, but it will increase tire wear on the inside edges. You need to install adjustable rear camber arms, H-Sport in my case, to have some flexibility in camber settings. I had mine set for -1.9deg. Result? Dead neutral handling.

The other component of this neutral handling package is a H-Sport 25.5mm tubular RSB set at it's lowest stiffness point. It has the same overall stiffness as a solid 22mm, but weighs about 8lbs less and gives you more handling options then a solid 19mm.

 

I'm attempting to get a set of these soon... Have been (and still am) trying to decide between the NM springs on stock struts or a JCW stock suspension kit including rear sway... both scenarios leave me paying the same amount of money once install is complete. I'm sure I'd be happy with either but the NM Engineering springs have rave reviews and lower the car to the point that I think would be ideal for the long run.

 

I had these NM springs installed today without the bump stops being cut as my mini guy basically demanded ("if you want to blow your struts ill cut them but i never cut them... Thats why they are the size they are... And people on forums are weird like that and you can listen to them if you want, but... NM is just trying to get more travel without regard for your factory struts" and "your car will never actually sit on the bump stops unless you go to the track and pull enough G's")
Riding home on my normal drive, it feels like I am riding on rubber springs... it's definitely bouncier than before. Hitting big abrupt bumps cause the car to sort of pop up and settle with a ripple effect, and short lived as it is, I'm very unpleased with the performance of my $450 investment since I don't want to drive my brand new $30k car this way... I also disagree about uncut bump stops since my car rides nothing like the rave reviews that this thread is filled with...
Pretty bummed. Don't want to go back and complain because dude is fairly rude and just not a good people person and I have a feeling that I know how it will end up.

Any way that I can cut my bump stops appropriately by jacking each side of the car up and taking my time with it?

 

That "mini guy" is so full of it his eyes are turning brown. I've got 24K on my NM springs with the cut down bump stops and have had no problems at all. The ride is firmer, but not harsh at all to my 66 year old butt accelerometer. At first it just felt like I'd put the RFs back on!

I don't think you can cut down the bump stops w/o removing them, but I could be wrong.

 

Yano I may have jumped the gun the slightest bit since I had the hub centric rings installed today and they "checked" my tire pressure... I think they refilled all my tires to like 40psi (215/45/17). I may adjust tire pressure and do another test drive before I hate on mini guy anymore. Everyone I talk to says this guy knows more than most about coopers and I guess even on the forums there's a mixed feeling about cutting bump stops. Anyhow, I'll report back on my findings and add a photo as well.

 

I didn't cut my bump stops as well, my mechanic was pretty adamant against it, although I showed him the installation guide.
However, I'm more than happy with the results.

 

I think I'm being too picky. The guy didn't want to talk at all about anything so that didn't help my confidence in his opinion, but he has only five star reviews on yelp.
I guess they have excellent car service and poor customer service, but I'm okay with that in the long run. Tire pressure made a noticeable difference but it's still a tad bit bouncy. Oh well... I'll take forum feedback with this experience in mind for next time round.

 

Sorry to hijack this thread... Wanted to give a final word on the issue. I'm going to figure out a way ($ or complaining or a combination) to have the bump stops cut per NM specs, because this is the worst riding lowered car I've ridden in. The 10 fwy east from downtown LA made my wife car sick. I was steaming a bit, myself.

 

You ain't wrong about that piece of the "10"! It's a real PITA with the NM springs, but I've had no bottoming on it. It wasn't any better with the OEM suspension. Just a horrible piece of interstate and it was built that way!

 

The car is almost on the bumpstops sitting still....and with the NM springs it's actually getting into the bumpstops before you even get in the car.

If it's specifically stated in the instructions to cut the bumpstops, he should be obliged to cut them at no extra cost. You paid him to do something, and he did it wrong.

- Andrew

 

Called him up and told him my feelings on the matter... he was like, "no problem, bring it in and I'll cut the bumpstops... I'll squeeze you in when you get here."

I was sort of worried about it. That's rad... I'll report back once they are cut.

On the plus side, I'll have a first hand experience at how the car rides on stock struts and NM Engineering springs with and without bump stops.

So far: uncut bump stops= bounce house on over-inflated 215/45/17

 

In my opinion, this is the best advise you will get for those starting out on suspension mods. Then go driving and figure out what else you need based on your driving style and what you want to do with the car.

Getting into lowering (>1.25") can sometimes introduce some major issues that you should be willing to tackle with time and it generally involves lots of $$$. Remember there is lots of junk out there. Unfortunately, I have been there and with AndyRoo's help, managed to work much of it out. But I do have a bunch of suspension parts sitting in my basement that I would rather throw away than sell because it is junk.

 

Bump stops now cut and tires at 32psi all the way around. It finally lives up to the reviews! Ride is amazing and perfect for what I wanted. Torque steer not even noticed. Really love the car now.

 

what are you thoughts on your mechanic now lol

 

11cooperS - where is this place and what was your cost for install?
I live in LA area as well.. and I am looking for someone who is knowledgable enough on Mini..

 

very very nice! Loving the black headlight housing, wish I could've gotten that with mine. I heard it wasn't a good idea to try and retrofit a joey mod because of the air tight seal in the headlight.

And would you mind telling me what size rims you are running?

 

BruinJustin... PM sent.

It was $250 labor which included a Helix short shift kit install... which was pretty in depth. pretty appreciated, too, since he installed them TWICE, cutting the bump stops the second time around. Not great customer service, but excellent car service.

P.S., I highly suggest the Helix short shift kit. I love shifting now. Very tight, notchy (in a good way) and it retains the factory shifter height.

 

Finally updated some pics... it's definitely settled in the back since this photo. With the bump stops cut, this is the best riding setup I've ever had on a lowered car... and that's on stock struts!

BEFORE:


AFTER:

 

this is after some driving and subsequent settling... I also removed the roof rack to give it an even lower look... I actually sort of miss the rack, but better MPG's on the freeway now!

Sorry for poor picture quality. It's actually raining in LA, who would've thought!?

 

Looks good 11coopS

 

That looks exactly what i want my drop to look like! I can't wait for mine!