Best handling kit / dampers?

[4WD]

I see there are a few tuning compnies offering adjustable shock kits and all sorts for the mini. I've only ever driven the standard set up on a 1998/2000-ish cooper. I suspect it was the hydrolastic? system, rather than the lovely AVO type coil over affairs available.

So, which is the best setup for fast road usage? I guess I would like to use the standard 10-12" wheels. Are poly bushes reccommended? Also where in the south east will set it up / sell the gear?

Thanks for any help - newbie here.

[mr dann]

Personally, I like dry suspension. Huddersfield mini spares are the place to get cheap kit which works, I run spax at the moment which are 24 point adjustable, the hilos as well as their heavy duty adjustable stuff. Avoid rose jointed stuff as it wears out quickly. Polybushes are thrown in and HMS do really give you good deals. Whilst my car may not be totally period expensive, it works and is set up right and is strong. Not sure about the different sorts of shock, people give spax a bad write up but they work for me.

If you want a car with coil overs, get something like a fisher fury or caterfield. Remember, a mini is a mini!

MWS do the cheapest decent tyres as well. (Although I am running Camacs at the minute which are fun in the wet). Good geometry is better than good tyres. I reckon. Stu

[cooperman]

4WD said:

I see there are a few tuning compnies offering adjustable shock kits and all sorts for the mini. I've only ever driven the standard set up on a 1998/2000-ish cooper. I suspect it was the hydrolastic? system, rather than the lovely AVO type coil over affairs available. So, which is the best setup for fast road usage? I guess I would like to use the standard 10-12" wheels. Are poly bushes reccommended? Also where in the south east will set it up / sell the gear? Thanks for any help - newbie here.

Welcome on here 4WD.
I doubt you drove the hydrolastic type suspension, that was only current from 1964 to 1970-ish.
For normal and most enjoyable road use the basic Mini dry suspension is fine. It is relatively inexpensive to improve it.
There is a recent post covering this under the topic 'Budget lowering', although as you will see most of us don't recommend any lowering for road use as a Mini pn normal roads needs all the suspension travel it can get.
Have a look at that thread then either post any other questions on there or email me personally.

Peter

[minicity]

www.mlmotorsport.com could probably help you.