Slammed The MINI

This news is three weeks late, but it’s a big upgrade for the MINI so I can’t possibly skip it. I took the suspension to the next level with BC Racing BR series coilovers. Wee!

Before, I was running lowering springs, Koni Yellows, and front Helix/RDR camber plates. The coilovers replace all of that, and I’ve sold the springs and camber plates (still trying to find a buyer for the Yellows at this point).

For their price, the BC coilovers are a tremendous deal. You get integrated camber plates, 30-way adjustable dampening / rebound, flexible rear adjusters to adjust dampening without removing them from the car, and height adjustment independent of travel. I replaced the front springs that came with the BCs with some Skunk2s, and am now running linear 2.5″ ID 6kg springs at all four corners.

The install went smoothly. I had to cut 2″ holes above each rear coilover for the flexible adjusters, and now I can adjust dampening through the rear cubbies.

So how are they? Pretty flipping sweet. The dampening rates are quality and the 6kg springs are livable on the street. The range from softest to firmest is very wide and being able to quickly adjust will be a godsend once autocross starts up. The only drawback is, as a few others have mentioned, that they sometimes feel a bit “bouncy” over undulating pavement. With three or four people in the car, however, the ride is smoother than ever.

They feel a lot better and I bet they net a significant performance gain.

One big reason for both the comfort and performance improvements is because I finally have some suspension travel back. MINI Coopers are suspension travel-impaired stock, and throwing lowering springs worsens things.

I need to get some 5mm spacers for my Kosei wheels to clear the coilover tubes (slightly wider diameter than stock), and I’ll probably spring for a stud kit too for easier wheel changes.

But for now, here are pictures with my 15″ steelies and bald Blizzaks!