Hi follks im wondering whats the best bang for buck suspension setup for a comfortable ride for around $400.

Ive looked at the suspension kit from http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/MSSK3004.aspx it has kyb shockers and a complete set of hilo's would be around $350 posted , are they comfortable and do i still need those rubber donuts with them " as im pretty sure mine are shot ?

Or

Looking at those Spring sets from minitastic http://www.minitastic.co.uk/home1.htm for $385 , i would still have to buy shockers with those.

Anyone have any of those ?

Cheers Bill

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I had a Moulton Smootha Ride kit from Mini Sport UK fitted to my Moke about 6 or 7 years ago and it transformed the ride. The trouble is that it has slowly deteriorated. The cones have sagged and the ride has got harder. Its still better than it was before, though.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

hydrolastic with spacers and less fluid pressure

edit: Big job though fitthing hydro pipes and subframe swapping etc, so unless you were keen and could do it yourself would cost more than $400.

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I put Minitastic springs in my daughters car , this was the best improvement
I have done . You have to lift the ride height up , this is to allow for more suspension travel . I put spax adjustable shocks on to complement the springs , you won't be disappointed.

I believe in Coil spring. I have MST springs fitted to Mine which we get from Japan. Best Mod ever. Possibly a bit more expensive than the Pommy ones but I swear by them. My Mini rides better than my wife's Pulsar SSS. And for those with the silly idea that they fall out please try them and stop making up stories.

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My brother had coil springs in his mini and they just bind and bend hi-lo rods (He bent and had to replace atleast 2) and crack the subframe around the tower (atleast 2 of these as well). There Just isnt enough give in them.

I wouldnt recommend springs

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Bubba, what was the ride ht , the springs front or back , what manufacturer and spring rating ? . The old saying horses for courses , but for a comfortable ride springs are gooooood. Remember it's for comfort not for racing plus you drive to condition of the road . Hydo suspension bags can leak,burst and are old so springs are a good option.

I fitted the Minisport Smootha ride kit in my latest project and it rides really well.
I am comparing it to my hydro Cooper S and other minis on 40 year old rubbers

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

Thanks for the replies guys ,thats the sort of opinions i needed im still 50/50 though lol.
A couple of more questions is the minitastic spring kit the same idea as coilovers ? ie shocker in the spring setup , also do you need extra brackets welded on or do all these solutions just require fitting ? .

Thanks again for the replies its much appreciated .

oooooh just thought of one more question is there any aussie suppliers of their own springs for the mini at that same rough $ mark ?

im asking these questions as ma "mum " is going on holiday to the UK next month and im looking to fill her bags with mini gear

Cheers Bill

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Project Pickles is ALIVE!!!!! Click Here!
Success is so much sweeter after the struggle

Minitastic springs are not coilovers. They are a coil spring with about 1-1/2? coils, ie hardly a spring at all. They fit in where the rubber cones are.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks doc that clears that up a bit so they are basically a rubber cone replacement " have you any hands on expierence with the coil setup doc ? " .

It mentions " on the minitastic site " that the kit comes with height adjusters , so i would just need some shocks unless im missing something " which i probably am ".

Ive read quite a bit about suspension mods for a couple of months now but unfortunately all the medication im on stuffs my short term memory which is a bloody pain in the butt so im trying to picture the setup in my head in the hopes of remebering it better.

Cheers Bill

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Project Pickles is ALIVE!!!!! Click Here!
Success is so much sweeter after the struggle

Nope I've not used them, I run the best riding setup (hydrolastic + front shocks + comp rear bumpstops).

People on UK and USA forums either hate these springs or swear by them.
There have been some horror stories.
I have heard the Jap ones are best quality though.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Hey mini Bill

The adjustable part I'd say would be the Hi-Lo part of the suspension.

Basically a Hi-lo is an adjustable alluminium trumpet (the original alloy trumpets come out and a aluminum trumpet with a threaded rod goes in. This threaded rod then is either adjusted out or in to make you car sir higher or lower.

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Hi
Im running the fast road springs from minitastic along with spax adjustable dampers on my 66 van and it made a huge difference with the ride comfort. The only thing id watch is keep it close to the std ride height so you get decent compression travel especially on the back . If you buy the complete kit your alright I made the mistake of thinking my hilos would work with the springs but the type i had were the ones with the rounded tops to suit the original cones. The ones that you need are the flat top type these are the ones he supplies in the kit. I did originally consider the road spec springs but im glad i went with the stiffer ones as i like the feel it gives. Will probably go for the same set up on my next project

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66 Van 1275
69 K Sedan
69 K Van Teabag
66 austin Countryman
68van

Thanks again for all the replies its very much appreciated and i must admit very thought prevoking ................ ,

soooo the spings dont sound ideal now as i would still have to add the rest of the suspension parts myself and possibility of mismatching parts might be why some people either love them or hate them.

I never really gave much thought to coilovers , so at the mo im leaning towards michaelb's smootha ride setup as its a complete suspension solution http://www.minisport.com/mini-spare-par ... S0400.html , its in my budget and if the whole kit doesnt weigh to much i will get ma to bring them back from the UK with her .


Thanks Bubbacluby it makes more sence now.

Cheers Bill

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Project Pickles is ALIVE!!!!! Click Here!
Success is so much sweeter after the struggle