I am giving my girlfriend my R53 and would like to return it to stock.
I'd like to trade my coilovers and adjustable rear control arms for stock mini sport struts/springs and $250. I am willing to meet at your place and do the swap in your driveway if you'd like.
The coilovers came from Way Motor Works and have about 20k on them; they were $900 (without shipping or tax). The adjustable rear control arms have only about 5k miles on them; they were around $200.
I want stock sport suspension from an R53 with fairly low mileage, say 50k or less?
If you aren't familiar with the setup, let me tell you, it's pretty damned nice. Handling is superb. Ride comfort varies based on how they are setup. Dampening is adjustable in 32 steps, 1 being the most firm 32 the most supple (I settled on 20). Height is adjustable from above stock to I don't know how low, but far too slammed for northeast road use I am sure (setup now to a reasonable drop maybe 1 ½ inches but I didn't measure the difference). The rear camber in Mini's is not adjustable with stock control arms, so if you lower a car the inside of your rear tires wear out, which is why I am including the adjustable rear control arms with the kit. Everything is in fine shape with one exception: the strut boots are a little cut up. When the car is jacked up you see it, but when there's weight on the tires you don't. They got like at some point after I installed them, but I didn't see the need to do anything about it as no rain or road dirt seems to get in there.
If you're interested and would like to check them out, let me know; I work during the day in Rochester and live in Geneva. Respond with your email or phone number and I'll get back to you. I am willing to travel within a couple hour radius, certainly Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse.
I think $250 is a pretty good deal for someone wanting to upgrade suspension on a budget. It's $1100 worth of metal if you went to a shop and ordered this stuff and had it installed I am sure the bill would be nearly two grand.
-- Edited by ajschneeberg on Saturday 27th of April 2013 10:57:40 AM
-- Edited by ajschneeberg on Wednesday 8th of May 2013 08:22:49 PM
Hmm 83k? Well I bought this kit at 180k and my stock stuff was still good. How does this sound: if I don't get an offer with lower mileage stuff (considering the age of R53s I don't know how likely it really is I will) you got a deal.
Now that I read your little blurb about your car, I am adding a condition: if your offer is the best one you have a deal IF you let me take your mini for a spin! 226HP wooohoo!
Mmm yeah I don't have an LSD either. Say, do you do your own work? I've replaced my differential; it broke at 190k or so. It was hard, but not THAT hard.
Smart. I have one driveshaft shop axle and a valeo single mass clutch/flywheel. If ya ever consider attempting such a project let me know, I'd be willing to lend a hand and a wrench.
Smart. I have one driveshaft shop axle and a valeo single mass clutch/flywheel. If ya ever consider attempting such a project let me know, I'd be willing to lend a hand and a wrench.
I would love to attempt this but if it takes a shop 11 hours to do the work and I can do just brakes etc. I think I will leave it for the pros LOL
If you're having someone take all that apart, I'd also considering doing the things that the subframe need to be dropped for. (Although I honestly think it isn't all that hard to drop the frame, I can have it on the ground in probably less than an hour.) First and foremost control arm bushings. Those little guys are a pain in wallet if it's the only thing you bring the car in for. They usually don't last very long on these cars either. I went with Powerflex bushings and I'm glad I did. I also did sway bar bushings while the frame was down. The sway bar bushings themselves are only a few bucks, and it's only four bolts if the frame is down, so might as well. The only other thing I think I'd considering doing as a preventative measure would be the inner/upper control arm ball joints. Lemfoerder joints are fifty bucks a pop, and also only four bolts if the frame is already down. On the other hand, mine lasted 195k miles, so maybe not necessary to through those in.
do you have a garage or something? My mom lives out in Phelps near ya (I grew up in Phelps). I'm wondering how much you would charge to just do this for me? I have 2 cars so I can just drive the winter beater (04 Forester XT stage 2). I wouldn't mind working on it with you however I work Friday to Monday til 6pm downtown :(
Nope, no garage. Only a driveway I am not technically supposed to work on the car in, according to my lease. I'm just ambitious I suppose. Nah, actually, I just like my Mini and can't afford to pay someone else to fix it. Struts are really straight forward, that's why I offer to do the work to sweeten the trade. Anyway, I'll letcha know if anyone will lower mileage reaches out to me. But like I said, if not we have a deal!
