Looking to enhance your MINI's road holding and handling? Lowering the suspension and using a stiffer spring will make the MINI feel more sprightly. There will be less bodyroll and better balance to keep your speed up in the corners. The firmer suspension will make the car more stable and easier to drive when pushing the car through the corners. Since the springs are firmer, there will be a corresponding increase in the stiffness of the ride but with the Bilstein sport shocks it will always be composed and controlled.
H&R Sport springs lower the ride height 1.3" front and 1.2" in the rear and stiffens the spring rate. Both combine to lower the car's center of gravity and reduce the amount of bodyroll in corners. The springs are progressive rate so their initial stiffness is actually very compliant and it becomes stiffer as the spring is compressed. This is great for street cars that see bumps and potholes where suspension compliance is key. Overall, they are about 30% stiffer than the stock original springs. Lowering amount will be less if replacing the factory sport suspension.
We use Bilstein Sport shocks as the dampers and they feature Bilstein's patented and innovative valving system. With this system, small bumps and impacts are absorbed as they should be. But the shocks stiffen for cornering and other suspension motions. It's the best of both worlds as the shock self-adjusts based on suspension motion. These fit with the stock strut and shock mounts, making for an easy and clean install.
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