Long term consequences..? - totalMINI Forums

neilJCW · **Long term consequences..? -** 29th April 2013, 09:03 AM

Hopefully a few of you guys on here with knowledge or prior experience might be able to help me out.

As I'm sure you've all seen in the For Sale section, James (R99) is selling a lot of parts, including some AP Coilovers, at a very reasonable price I hasten to add.

I'd like to reduce my wheel gap by some margin but obviously want to retain the good handling characteristics of my FJCW.

Therefore my question to you guys is, as I will never be putting my car anywhere near a Track or indeed driving it to its limits, what are the downsides/long term consequences of purely fitting coilovers?

Do I actually need all the other bits like camber plates, rear control arms, drop links etc. or could I get away with just fitting coilovers? I fully understand that without doing a "complete" job I run the risk of reducing the life of certain components for instance, tyres. But for every day Mr. Average driving around town could I get a lowered look for a fairly decent price?

George T · 29th April 2013, 09:10 AM

AP coilovers are fit and forget coilovers. They are basically KW V1s, exactly the same design and even owned by KW.

In theory, you can just fit them without doing anything else except an alignment afterwards. If you don't want drive shaft wobble, don't go really low and if you are running stock wheels, depending on the offset you might need a 5mm spacer up front.

Front top mounts are not really needed unless you want to try to take the handling on the road to a higher level, adjustable rear control arms will allow you to easy set the rear camber and stop excessive uneven tyre wear. Adjustable rear control arms can be added at any time and are roughly £180-190 brand new and take an hour to fit.

Adjustable drop links are not really needed if its never going to see the track.

Depending on where you post this question you will get different answers such as people telling you what you have to get etc...

I fitted APs by themselves and they were fine, never had any issues with them or knocking, such good value for money. I added adjustable rear control arms after a month or so.

neilJCW · 29th April 2013, 09:14 AM

Thanks mate! I was hoping you would have something to say about this. How long would it take someone who is competent with fitting them, to fit a set of coilovers so I can get an idea of total price? I would be running stock wheels, R112s.

George T · 29th April 2013, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilJCW

Thanks mate! I was hoping you would have something to say about this. How long would it take someone who is competent with fitting them, to fit a set of coilovers so I can get an idea of total price? I would be running stock wheels, R112s.

If I remember correctly, R112s have a better offset than other stock wheels as they clear the FJCW Brembo's so no need for spacers.

A competent person/garage would normally charge 2-3 hours for installation and tweaking of ride heights to get it to your preference.

Not sure where you are located, 1320 MINI in Cambridge charge for 3 hours @ £60. You will be able to get it done cheaper elsewhere but having it done by people that have done it hundreds of times before on these cars is a bonus, plus its a nice day out if you haven't been there before.

neilJCW · 29th April 2013, 09:30 AM

I'm in Sandhurst, Berkshire. Google Maps says it's 90 miles so not ridiculous milage.

Elphaba · 29th April 2013, 09:31 AM

And definitely get a full geometry alignment after lowering

so budget for that too.

neilJCW · 29th April 2013, 09:52 AM

Indeed. Thank you.

spykeymyk · 29th April 2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilJCW

I'm in Sandhurst, Berkshire. Google Maps says it's 90 miles so not ridiculous milage.

Surrey New Mini Have a sponsor TWG Automotive in Camberley BMW & MINI Specalists not used them myself but orher SNM Members have and have given good reports

Surrey's independent BMW and MINI specialist | TWG Automotive

Almost on your dorstep maybe worth a call

tcbw · 29th April 2013, 10:51 AM

I'd still consider the RCA's with APs - they're not that expensive from say KAVS and will take out the excess negative camber (and thus saving your rear tyres). They're also lighter than stock and will remove a bunch of unsprung weight.

stefano · 29th April 2013, 12:19 PM

^^^ I use TWG increasingly as I'm too far away from 1320 who arguably are the default choice in the South given their reputation. I think TWG do a good job