Ok...so I've read up on suspensions here until I'm blue in the face. H&R Sports has the amount of drop I desire and I want to get the right shock combo to go with them. This will be my Daily Driver and DO NOT want a harsh ride, so what shocks should I pair them up with? I'll also be installing the H-Sport lower camber arms as well.

Thanks for the help!

 

You need to drive your car around for at least a few months before you start modding the suspension. Then you will know what you what to change based on your driving style.

 

Lol....I already know my driving style. What I "need" is shock recommendations based on my spring choice.

 

That is great. I would then recommend OEM.

 

A second choice would be Koni Yellows.
They may hold up better than OEM with lowered springs (1.4"), and you can probably
set them soft enough to your liking.

 

What's harsh to one is different to another.

Adjustable KONIs if you are not going to get coilovers.

The softest ride you'll experience is stock. Anything else will be harsher.
The next best thing you could do is change to different tires after the drop to get anything less 'harsh'.

 

Thanks for the input....appreciate it.

The runflats will definitely be replaced, just not right off the bat. I've read too many posts that reflect the OEM shocks being crappy and will wear out extremely quick with lowered springs. I've done lowered springs with stock shocks in the past on a Mazda and most currently my Mercedes with no issues, but the stock shocks must be of much better quality than the ones the MINI's are supplied with.

What about Bilstein's? Better than the Koni's for comfort?

 

I've only used KONIs. I have yet to equip the MINI with them (I may not even do it for mine), but my last ride had adjustable KONIs. Which to make a side note from what I've heard with the adjustable KONIs. Is you can't actually adjust them on the MINI (the rears anyway), because of the way the strut towers are hidden. On my previous car I could adjust both front and rear. So you will have to set them before you install. The front towers have an opening that you may be able to adjust ... but don't quote me on that. The fronts may even need a pre-install adjustment before you get them in.

I think when it comes to quality, struts, and suspension hardware; Koni is a standard business leader.

 

What's a good online store for ordering the Koni's? For some reason The Tire Rack doesn't list any available Koni Shocks for the 2011 MCS.

 

Both outmotoring and WMW are reputable 3rd party retailers for the MINI.

I believe WMW offers them about 100 bucks cheaper then outmotoring - http://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-ye...5-r56-r57.html

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...ustable_shocks

 

Wow...first of all, thanks for the links.

Secondly....$900 for the shocks alone!?! Aren't the shocks that come with the H&R Touring Cup Kit the same? I can get the Touring Cup Kit for $799 and that's "with" the matched springs that drop the car 1.4". Seems like that's the way to go? I've read some reviews on the Touring Cup Kit and everyone seems to be happy with it.

Am I missing something?

 

Upgrading a vehicle's suspension isn't cheap.

Don't know about the others.

 

Go with the KONI Yellows

 

Why? It takes about 1 trip around the block to realize that a) the runflats MUST be banished, immediately, and b) the stock suspension is pure crapola.

Just about ANY aftermarket parts replacing stock suspension bits is an immediate improvement. One thing to avoid: keeping the stock shocks (which are REALLY low-quality in the first place), and adding lowering springs. Baaad idea (though better than stock, at least for a short while, until the stock shocks beat themselves to death).

 

Thanks for the replies.

I've decided to go with the H&R Touring Cup Kit.

 

Well I have the above mentioned set up: stock shocks and H&R lowering springs. Haven't really tried anything else so don't know but I'm browsing the suspension threads for ideas on how to fix this setup.
The ride quality is what bothers me the most. Every pothole shakes up the whole car - feels like the car is gonna just fall apart. Every time I have had a loaner car from the dealership, the ride has felt great (even on runflats) so you can imagine what I'm going thru...
I like the way the mini looks but the NJ potholes are out to get this mini...
Help!!!
should I just go back to stock springs?

 

1.) you put stiffer springs on the car with the stock shocks, (which really aren't very good for the stock springs), and now think the ride sucks...lol


Fix the problem by replacing the stock shocks and struts with either Koni yellows, or Bilstein sports. (since you lowered the car 1.4" you really can't use the Billy HD's.)

Both of these will be WAY better than the stock shocks. Both offer WAY better compression and rebound calibration than stock. (advantage to Koni for being adjustable on the rebound side...)

Next, get rid of the runflats.

 

Runflats were gone from the get go...
I think I will go back to stock springs and try what the stock suspension feels like and if not satisfied, then I think I will get the JCW suspension or go the koni/bilstein route...

...now where do I find stock springs?

 

Dude, it's not the springs. It's the for crap stock calibration of the shocks and struts.

 

I'm getting tired of my H&R cup kit. Damping just doesn't feel "right". I think I'll stick with the springs, and now that Bilstein Sports are allegedly now available for the R56, go that route.

I have a set of Bilstein HDs sitting in the garage, waiting to go onto the Z4M with stock springs. Should be the last time I need to put shocks on that car - at least for a VERY long time.

 

Another option would be to get the ST coilovers. They are less than $1K and they come with matched shocks and springs. You get the ability to lower and raise your car. My MINI is only a month old and I just installed the ST suspension a week ago. Ride is subjective but to me, I think it rides very close to stock -- i.e. very comfortable. Over very rough pavement it does seems like it rides more firm, but I would never call it harsh. Oh, and I ditched the runflats immediately.

This is the ST setup with the coils raised all the way up front and about 1/3 of the way down in the rear. I got a little over a 1" drop this way:

 

As stated above the best shocks for your springs would be the Koni yellows. I love them with my NM springs. H&R lowers it a little too much.

 

Kevin if you get the Bilstein sports, please take pictures of them and compare the dimensions to stock or the Konis so we know if stroke is the same or if they're physicall shorter and all that.

Also, take some pics of your Z4M. Love that car.

- Andrew

 

The stock struts really do suck. But those springs do lower a bit too much too....very little travel left.

- drew

 

You have good taste.

After a fresh detail recently:





If I do go with the Bilsteins on my MCS, I'll return here with measurements and impressions.