Hi, if someone in the area has experience installing coilovers on minis and a garage/space/tools, please let me know. Or if you guys can recommend a good shop, that would work too.
I am in downtown Buffalo and drive an 09 jcw clubman. I recently lost all of my tools and garage in garage fire thus looking for the assistance. I have some experience working on cars and willing to do the work with your help.
Black Forest Motorsport on Genesee and Holtz rd Jason is a good guy the exclusively work on European vehicles. Done some work on my McS. Great people, great service, excellent prices. All of my friends with BMW, Audi, Benz, Mini and Porsche go to him when they need ANYTHING done and would say as I have.
Wish I could help, it only takes about an hour to just do coilovers, I'd do it for a good six pack. I've installed/uninstalled suspension on my car probably a dozen times at this point. I have the tools, no garage and also no time. Maybe in a week or two I could help. Sorry
Alternetively if I were you I would just go spend $300 on a jack/stands and a socket set. Then just do it in a parking lot or friends driveway, rather then spend $900.
-- Edited by Rev on Wednesday 10th of April 2013 07:14:40 AM
Wish I could help, it only takes about an hour to just do coilovers, I'd do it for a good six pack. I've installed/uninstalled suspension on my car probably a dozen times at this point. I have the tools, no garage and also no time. Maybe in a week or two I could help. Sorry
Alternetively if I were you I would just go spend $300 on a jack/stands and a socket set. Then just do it in a parking lot or friends driveway, rather then spend $900.
-- Edited by Rev on Wednesday 10th of April 2013 07:14:40 AM
we did coilovers on my Ex's 2007 Cooper S. The only thing that was a pain was really just setting up the car afterwards to look right. I would say $300-350 with alignment is more reasonable of a price.
Wish I could help, it only takes about an hour to just do coilovers, I'd do it for a good six pack. I've installed/uninstalled suspension on my car probably a dozen times at this point. I have the tools, no garage and also no time. Maybe in a week or two I could help. Sorry
Alternetively if I were you I would just go spend $300 on a jack/stands and a socket set. Then just do it in a parking lot or friends driveway, rather then spend $900.
-- Edited by Rev on Wednesday 10th of April 2013 07:14:40 AM
Rev or anyone who has some time to spare on a weekend :), if you could give me a hand in a few weeks, that would be great. I should be able to get access to my friend's garage with tools. He is in Williamsville. I just need someone who did it to walk me through it so I don't spend the whole day figuring out things for the first time or doing something wrong.
BTW, I am getting Bilstein PSS10s. Adjustment should be pretty easy with these.
-- Edited by 67Morris on Wednesday 10th of April 2013 07:26:44 PM
-- Edited by 67Morris on Wednesday 10th of April 2013 07:27:29 PM
Are the coil overs assembled with camber plates, or do you need to re-use the factory ones? Do you have adjustable rear control arms? Any other changes that you are making at the same time?
If the front coil overs have camber plates, the install is very easy, literally remove the stock assembly and install the new ones.
The rear coil overs should come complete, again it is as easy as dropping out the stock ones and replacing.
Do you have any idea what ride height that you would like? Adjusting the ride height affects the wheel alignment. If you go significantly lower than stock in the rear, you will likely need adjustable rear control arms. If you lower the front a bunch you may require adjustable sway bar links.
There are some DIY threads about this stuff, you can get pretty familiar with what is required, just to make sure that you have all the parts that you need.
Have fun, Mike
PS. Don't let Drew help, he will just want to drive a MINI again........
Are the coil overs assembled with camber plates, or do you need to re-use the factory ones? Do you have adjustable rear control arms? Any other changes that you are making at the same time?
If the front coil overs have camber plates, the install is very easy, literally remove the stock assembly and install the new ones.
The rear coil overs should come complete, again it is as easy as dropping out the stock ones and replacing.
Do you have any idea what ride height that you would like? Adjusting the ride height affects the wheel alignment. If you go significantly lower than stock in the rear, you will likely need adjustable rear control arms. If you lower the front a bunch you may require adjustable sway bar links.
There are some DIY threads about this stuff, you can get pretty familiar with what is required, just to make sure that you have all the parts that you need.
Have fun, Mike
PS. Don't let Drew help, he will just want to drive a MINI again........
Mike, yes, I am looking for camber plates right now so that I can do all of it at once. I am also getting minimadness sway bar. Besides adjustable rear control arms, is there anything else I can replace while suspension is apart?
Hi All! Sill looking for someone to help me with the installation of my coilovers and rear sway bar. Please let me know if you are willing to help out. Thanks!
Got the coilovers and sway bar done. Not too bad of a job considering I have never done suspension before. Now just need to put my rear lower control arms and get an alignment.
So far so good. Almost as comfortable as stock, but a little bumpier. Will need to play with rebound adjustment to get it perfect. They lowered the car just right as well.
