Who can help fellow Mini owner to install mods?

Hello all.

My 2011 Cooper S will get some goodies soon.  I am thinking of getting BC Racing coilovers and Alta 22mm rear sway bar.  Stock setup is way too soft (I don't have sport suspension).  Also the ride height is a little too high for my taste.  I will possibly lower the car about an inch.

I would rather do this myself, but I am quite worried I will mess this up.  Also, I haven't done this type of work in my cars, so I want to learn as well.  Biggest project I did was changing springs in my old Z4M Coupe with a help of friend..

Any psmini.org volunteers to help me?  I will compensate your time and help.




Edited by Erhan - August/16/11 at 8:54pm

I'm looking to do the same and am considering renting a lift to do it down in Kent to make life easier.

Although I'm looking at H&R street coilovers or ST.  I only one about a 1" drop and it seems like most drop them more.  I have the 22mm on the soft setting but will certainly stiffen it up when I do the springs.

I don't have a lift but just about every other tool imaginable, and would be happy to help... but it would have to wait until end of this month as I'm working through a heavy workload. 

Why don't you all get together.

 Erhan, you may want a set of adjustable rear control arms. Also did you take a look at Megan? http://www.waymotorworks.com/megan-racing-coilovers-for-r55-r56-r57.html

I just mentioned the Megan's because most of the time they cost less and as you mention they are basically the same.

Rear control arms? Of course for adjusting the camber, but the main reason is the stamped steel ones fail with cars that have been taken below stock height

A lot of people like H-Sport (Hotckis) because they use urethane instead of heim joints, but Heilx has improved there heims and now seal it with a rubber boot. Also is the kit your looking at come with adjustable drop links for your sway bars???

It is just nice to keep the geometry right , I believe what most people doe is move the front to the back and use the new ones on the front. 

No, all I am saying is depending on how low your drop is down the road you may want to play wig the drop links to get the sway bars back into the right position. It is just some coilover kits come with adjustable drop links. Say you do your install and you drop a 1/2 inch you sway bar will move proportionally off of a numeral position. It is not a life an death issue just something to consider down the road and more so if you drive hard.

John

In your OP you indicated the main reason for a change was things were to soft. Have you considered FDS's or Big Yellows if it it is not lowering that you were looking for?

Well, yeah the main thing is to stiffen up the suspension.  But I also want adjustable camber plates for track use.  I also think the ride height is a little too much.  So in terms of priorities:  Stiffer setup > Adj. Camber plates > Ride height. 

This kit has all of the above for $1000.  Also I can adjust the compression/rebound between street and track as well.

johnf36 wrote: In your OP you indicated the main reason for a change was things were to soft. Have you considered FDS's or Big Yellows if it it is not lowering that you were looking for?

Sounds like a plan.

Thanks for the up date Larry, We need to ask Ken what he did then because he used the backs on the fronts??