22 replies to this topic

[monster_mini]

Hi guys:)

the time has come to change and uprate my suspension as my cones are shot, soo here are my questions,

im deffinatly replacing my front cones, and i think i should do the rear ones too, even tho they are still keeping my rear end very high, i think its best to replace as they probs havent been done in many years.

soo number one, should i get the minispares standard genuine cones, or the red dot ones?? how much difference is there between the two?

im going to lower it so im going to buy the minispares genuine hilo's and i thought about getting these shock absorbers with them? >>

http://www.minispare...itle=SUSPENSION PACK OF HILOS ...

how do you know if i want the lowered or standard height shocks?? and if its the lowered shocks, doo i need to buy the proper front mounts for lowered ones?(with the pin at the bottom)?

if anyone could recommend what they think on those items, or if they think anything else is better or worse? or any idea's that would be great:)

thanks:)


p.s if anybody wants pictures of my current cones then i can get pictures of them:)

[lindy119@school]

go for it! that looks like a good kit, might just get one for myself!!

[nicksuth]

The Minitastic Cone Spring conversion is worth a thought??? Fitted it to my MPi along with some adjustable Gas Spax and it's sooooooooo much smother

http://www.minitastic.co.uk/home1.htm

[monster_mini]

i have heard about those:) which set did you go for??

whats the pro's and cons of them? can i still fit minispares genuine hi-lo's with them or is it just best to buy the full kit from them?

any other things im missing out on??

thanks:)

[nicksuth]

I got the "fast road" versions as the standard are apparently a bit toooo soft !!

You need to buy the matched height adjusters rather than HiLo's as they have a slightly larger flange face to suit the springs - looks good quality to me and they appear to be TMF Members resommendation.

[monster_mini]

ok thanks:) would you say the mini still is as solid on the road as using original cones? is it still just as good round the corners? thanks and sorry for all the questions:P

thanks

[nicksuth]

Yeh, handles just as good if not better and the ride is a lot smoother. Only problem with the fast road kit is it's really meant for 2 x people in the front only, if you carry anyone in the back then you need to lift the ride height a bit or tyres rub on underside of arches when hard cornering or going over bumpy ground

[monster_mini]

humm im soo tempted now:P

do the springs have to "bed in" so to say like new cones do, or do you just put them in and set the height to what you want:P? do the height adjusters that come in the fast road kit allow plenty of adjustment? as my rear is currently sky high:P

thanks

[TimmyG]

If you are going to lower the car you'd probably be better off fitting the minispares red dot cones over the standard ones as they are more progressive. This'll mean less likelyhood of hitting the bumpstops as the spring gets increasingly stiffer as you compress it. Also it means you're very much less likely to suffer the wheel rubbing problems that nicksuth has got with the coil springs. If your original springs are knackered which they almost certainly will be, then you will also see a big improvement in ride comfort into the bargain! It's a myth that mini's have a poor ride in my opinion, when the suspension is in good nick and well greased they're great. Firm yes, but ride QUALITY excellent. Good dampers are a must, KYB gas a just are really good with the red dots.

[nicksuth]

humm im soo tempted now:P

do the springs have to "bed in" so to say like new cones do, or do you just put them in and set the height to what you want:P? do the height adjusters that come in the fast road kit allow plenty of adjustment? as my rear is currently sky high:P

thanks

Yes, like fitting standard set up, it takes a bit of time to settle down but was quicker with the springs (about 100 miles?). I did the whole lot at the same time (radius arms, wheel bearings, shockers, coils, knuckle joints, ball joints etc.) so was playing around with all sorts of settings, really needs checking over propoerly which it will in a few days/weeks (corner weight check).
Also I get a bit of paranoid when it comes to checking and re-checking bolt tightness !!!!!!!

[monster_mini]

lol ok:P would you deffo recommend the fast road kit from minitastic over the rubber cones then? do the hi'los allow plenty of adjustment? are there any bad things about them?

thanks

[nicksuth]

lol ok:P would you deffo recommend the fast road kit from minitastic over the rubber cones then? do the hi'los allow plenty of adjustment? are there any bad things about them?

thanks

Yes No bad things found yet

[monster_mini]

ok kwl:)

this might seem like a silly question, but sinse im not putting a new cone in if you put springs in, do i have to get a cone compressor:P?

thanks

[nicksuth]

ok kwl:)

this might seem like a silly question, but sinse im not putting a new cone in if you put springs in, do i have to get a cone compressor:P?

thanks

Yes, you'll need the compressor tool to get the old ones out (and you have to drop the top arm off)

[monster_mini]

dudee, this sounds harder than i thought:( you should soooo come and help me do it:P