Lowering springs

Mitch · Motorer

Lowering springs

SPDinNY · Motorer

mitch do you have AOL IM? We have done this to our R56 and can discuss on aim easier

SPDinNY · Motorer

nm just saw yours is an 05. I dont think they are hard to install just note that you will need an alignment after.

Mitch · Motorer

Maybe when I decided to do this, we could do a spring fling which could be like a pulley party but with lowering springs. That is if others want to do it to. I just don't want to take it all apart and not have people around that know what they are doing.

SPDinNY · Motorer

well I am against just putting lowering springs on any car. We did it with our R56 and it is ok but for how long? A semi local place for us sells complete coilover kits for R52,53,56 for about $650 and this is the route we are going to go. The are also height adjustable so you can raise your car for winter use.

Mitch · Motorer

Ya I would love coil overs for sure. I found some used on NAM for sale that I am interested in. Be masters student I have limited funds though.

-- Edited by Mitch at 21:46, 2009-02-17

SPDinNY · Motorer

http://www.stratmosphere.com/mini_drivetrain.htm

$649 and I can get 15% off that price,

SPDinNY · Motorer

I called them, they are 20% off starting today, and it is about 160 to have them installed.

TINMAN · Motorist

I have never replaced springs in a Mini, but I do have a nice setup in my garage to work on cars. I have a 4 post lift that will lift a car up to 6000 lbs. It has a jack platform that you can lift a car off of its wheel using a bottle nose jack.It is great to change oil and work on exhausts. I get under my Mini all of the time. If you want to do a work party I would like to help.

VeganBrian · Motorer

I plan on lowering my car with coilovers this spring/summer too!

SPDinNY · Motorer

TINMAN wrote:

I have never replaced springs in a Mini, but I do have a nice setup in my garage to work on cars. I have a 4 post lift that will lift a car up to 6000 lbs. It has a jack platform that you can lift a car off of its wheel using a bottle nose jack.It is great to change oil and work on exhausts. I get under my Mini all of the time. If you want to do a work party I would like to help.

where is this garage? =)

*hopes it is close* lol

SPDinNY · Motorer

dont know how my previous post was duplicated..LOL

-- Edited by SPDinNY at 18:51, 2009-02-17

TINMAN · Motorist

It is my garage at my house. I live in lockport

Mitch · Motorer

I am very excited about this! I wish this was known to me when I was installing my megan cat back. Oh well, I have e-mailed the company spninny gave us to see if they would potentially be able to put together a group buy for us. I'll let you know what I find out. This is more than I was planning on spending, but if it is a bit from now and they are able to get us a good cost I may be able to be in on it.

Venno · Motorer

When I was putting Camber plates on my '06 we had to remove the springs as well....they're [the stock springs] a pain to compress if you don't have the right tools ....Which we didn't...but it can be done and it's fairly simple...Note: I did this about 2 years ago so i unfortunately don';t remember all the details....

SPDinNY · Motorer

I have a spring compressor =) it was cake removing my stock springs

Venno · Motorer

SPDinNY wrote:

I have a spring compressor =) it was cake removing my stock springs

evileye

Venno · Motorer

Ooo right...Actually I think I just remembered.... we needed to make a tool...It was a deep socket with a 'window' ground into it through 180 degrees so that you could insert an allenkey into it and turn the 2 separately....What's going on is that you have a bolt with a set screw in it. If you just turn the bolt nothing happens....the set screw turns with the bolt if you just turn the set screw, nothing happens either. You need to hold the set screw as you turn the bolt.....anyway that's a simple thing to make once you know what you'll need to make

Mitch · Motorer

Yes there is a special socket you can buy and need (or you can make your own). This tools to change the springs would cost me about the same as having a shop do it so... But if we got together and all pitched in on a "club set" of the tools or maybe Towne would loan us some?

I received an e-mail back from stratmosphere and because there is a confidential information warning at the bottom of the e-mail I won't say much (because I don't want to say thing I shouldn't, never seen that in a customer service e-mail before but whatever). Anyway things are looking good. So if you have any interest in the coil-overs SPDinNY posted a link for let me know, I am talking to them tomorrow.

SPDinNY · Motorer

I am buying a set ASAP. Also the tool we used was a Hex key and a open ended wrench in the appropriate size. I think it was just to get the caliper off if I remember correctly.

SPDinNY · Motorer

Venno wrote:

SPDinNY wrote:

I have a spring compressor =) it was cake removing my stock springs

oh Venno dont be jealous of my $14.99 harbor freight spring compressor. It was really made easier by using the impact gun to tighten the clamps down

Mitch · Motorer

So SPDinNY you would be in on a group buy?

TrixieinNY · Motorer

SPD and I would be in for a group buy, hopefully really soon!

Mitch · Motorer

TrixieinNY wrote:

SPD and I would be in for a group buy, hopefully really soon!

Ok sweet when I talk to them on the phone today I have you two for sure, me if the price is low enough and possibly this guy from Long Island. I am guessing the more we have in on it the better the price. But I don't know for sure. I'll post once I hear from them.

Mitch · Motorer

Ok I talked to them on the phone. They are offering 20% off this week and when I asked him about future sales he said not to worry about it and they can work something out. They are located in Victor, NY so it is nice they are so close. I told them that I was part of the WN MINI club and there is some interest. He said they have lots of stock we can do local pickup or he will ship. Also he can instal in Victor for $80/hour and cap the instal time at 3 hours max. He knows of a place in Buffalo he can recommend.

I can't get a set right now as I just bought a set of tires and wheels, but this summer I would like to try.

To call them direct use (585)742-9310 tell them you are with the MINI club of WNY and that you heard they had a 20% off sale.

So I guess with the 20% off the $650 set would be $520, which is a really good price on coil-overs. After reading on NAM those who do not have them are suspect of them because of the low price. And those who have bought them are very happy and have had no problems.

TrixieinNY · Motorer

We're going to go ahead and purchase this week then. Mark read a review of them in the NAM Alliance magazine or whatever and they seem like overall a good product as long as you aren't looking for a track setup.

Mitch · Motorer

Ok let me know what you guys think I am going to start saving my pennies. Are either of you taking springs off that would be compatible with an 05 non "s"? If so would you be interested in selling them and possibly helping me install?

I know springs aren't the answer but until I can get a coil-over kit they would be nice.

Looking on the H&R site I guess the spring for '07 are out and probably the '05 too because it is an "s" and mine isn't. Although I can't imagine there is a different suspension between the "s" and non"s". I do have the sport suspension. Maybe the "s" are a bit stiffer because of the added weight.

-- Edited by Mitch at 12:34, 2009-02-18

TrixieinNY · Motorer

We have the springs on my '07, so they wouldn't be compatible. hmm

We will be open to selling them to someone with a compatible MINI though.

-- Edited by TrixieinNY at 13:23, 2009-02-18

Mitch · Motorer

Someone will be happy with these. If you two are going to be doing the installation yourself I would love to watch/help. It is something I would like to learn how to do.

-- Edited by Mitch at 14:37, 2009-02-18

SPDinNY · Motorer

well if I do it would be on a warmer day in the spring and anyone is more than welcome to help.