Back from the dealer, they couldn't track down the gas smell. Seems to have diminished somewhat. I took off my BSH OCC before I brought it to the dealer, because I didn't want them pointing the finger at that. Maybe that is it though?

Back to the main topic, I would say the sharp edge has been taken off the bumps. Definately the ride feels more muted than before. I have a couple of concrete roads on the way home, and the expansion joints were much improved. I don't think I am going to get any gripes from the wife. Nobody likes roasted ears.

One last inital impression is don't expect any lowering in the front with HD's. I don't think I got any drop. Wish I would have remembered to take pre measurements. I have a 3 finger gap in the front, and 2 finger gap in the rear. Maybe it will settle a bit with time. It doesn't look bad though, definately if there is any lowering it is minimal.

I'll let the wife chime in after she takes it for a spin this weekend.

 

How often do you hear that on your modifications? Awesome, noticeably better, money well spent. That is what the Wife had to say after her 90 mile round trip today. Whew!

So, admittadly only after two days, it is two thumbs up. The only gripe I have is I wish the rear sat 1/2" higher so I had the same gap front and back.
Maybe it will all settle into place, but according to some other posters, the bilstein hd's don't settle much.

TREX

 

Trex, glad to hear you like the combo, congrats! Any chance you would mind posting a photo?

 

I'll snap some photos, but will probably take me a few days. That is one thing about shocks, not too much to see unless the wheels are off. Maybe you will be able to see the difference in wheel gap front to back though.

 

Exactly what I am hoping for

Right on! Thanks

 

Here are the pics. Have about 200 miles on the shocks and springs now. Front still has a 1 finger gap larger than the rear wheel gap. I would be surprised if the front lowered at all. Maybe that is why you have to get the Bilsteins sports. So I suppose if I were starting over, I would just go with stock springs and the Koni FSD's, or the Bilstein HD's and stock springs.
It is a nice tight suspension now though, and the edge has been taken off the bumps. Certainly not a plush, cushy ride, but much better controlled and the big bumps have a muted bump instead of the crash.

 

I like it, I prefer the symetrical look of the tires in the wells, but that's just me. Otherwise it looks like a elephant sat on the MINI if it's too low.
Front may settle a bit more, I have NM springs and it dropped about an inch in front and a little less in back. When mom is happy everyone's happy.

 

Maugre, yours looks good. Your picture is a little small, but looks like you have equal gaps front and back. Nobody I hang out with would ever notice the difference on my car, and it isn't a difference you can feel sitting in the car, but would be a little happier if the front would drop 1/2".

The cornering of the car is amazing though. No body lean whatsoever. That is my favorite part about driving the mini, every corner you just leave the jerkwad who has been tailgating you in the dust. Anybody can be a hero in a straight line, it is the corners that exposes the poseurs.

It is funny how there are so many different styles that people like. It is probably my middle class vanilla upbringing, but the middle of the road seems to be the look I always liked best. Trucks with fairly big tires and a little bit of lift look great, those who have them 3 feet in the air and monster mudders look like hillbillys. A nice chrome 3" exhuast, okay, I can see it. The 6" can on the 4 banger, nobody's buying it. If 17" wheels look good, 20" wheels are going to look that much better. Style at the expense of functionality is never cool. Of course most of my friends and family think that cars, motorcycles, houses.... are good enough right off the showroom floor. They know nothing.