Joey's Cooper Thread; Suspension Thoughts

[Azuremen]

Possibly more, given the way you drive. I've gotten about 10,000 miles out of Azenis before, and I know of people getting more out of them. That includes auto-x runs and such.

The rating on the Kumho XS is 180. The rating on the V700's I have for the BMW is 50.

 

[Joey D]

Well that's good to know, plus I do a lot of highway driving which I assume means I can get more mileage out of the tire. While I was waiting for the car to be done today a guy came in who had put 92,000 miles on his OEM Hummer H3 tires...everyone that worked there was impressed.It boggles my mind how long tires last.

 

[Keef]

A 440 rating is certainly good for more than 30,000 miles. I've got about 10,000 on my Azenis already and I'm due to hit at least 15,000, depending on how much action they get this year. They might even last the rest of the driving season.

 

[Joey D]

Since a lot of you have aftermarket wheels, what is the best way to keep the finish on them? I've been told to wax them, is there some sort of special wax I should use? The lip is polished and I'm going to probably use some Never Dull on that. Any suggestions?

Oh and should I paint my brake calipers black now that you can actually see them? They look pretty awful. I can't tell what would look goofier though. I could be real pimp though and paint them red or yellow...ya because I have performance brakes.

 

[Keef]

I'd rather you not paint them at all, really. The only way to do it right is to take them apart and it's a huge paint to do that. If anything a dull, stock-ish silver would probably be best. You would want to use high-temp paint, like stuff from VHT.

It seems a lot of new cars' calipers are zinc-plated to avoid rust these days, so they've got an odd chrome/silver look to them. Has that worn off on yours?

 

[Joey D]

They aren't awful but they look bad through the rims, I guess the epic amount of salt we put on the roads are hell on the calipers. I don't really want to paint them but I'm up in the air which looks worse. I was thinking black because it won't stand out and make me look like a plonker.

 

[Azuremen]

Do not paint your calipers red or yellow. You'll look like a jackass. There is some clown with a A4 and his are bright yellow now on a silver car and it is just laughable.

Black would be okay, though it is a pretty big hassle.

 

[Joey D]

I was just screwing with everyone, I would never EVER paint my calipers yellow or red. The only way I'd ever rock red or yellow calipers is if they came as part of a big brake kit and even then I'd probably paint them black.

And reading more about it, it does look like a PITA to do. Maybe I'll just live with it for the time being or wait till I have to replace the pads or something.

 

[Philly]

Oh and should I paint my brake calipers black now that you can actually see them? They look pretty awful. I can't tell what would look goofier though. I could be real pimp though and paint them red or yellow...ya because I have performance brakes.

Blue! It would be MAD TYTE JDM R32 style yo!

In all seriousness, I don't think a Champagne and black Cooper is going to look the best with some funky color of brake caliper. If anything, I'd keep it subtle and try and hide them because I don't think many colors will match the car well. Too bad the Cooper isn't BRG because I think BRG calipers would look awesome.

I really like the red setup on the GTI, but again, it has to be the right color/car combo to pull it off.

 

[WJHMH]

Here's my '05 R53 S from this weekend. I just got this set of 17 x 7 Konig Feathers in silver w/ Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 215/45/17 two weeks ago.

It started out as salvage title fixer upper, here's the thread from NAM.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/1st-gear/166636-greetings-from-texas.html

 

[Joey D]

Great looking MINI you got there 👍!

And awesome work bringing the car back to life, you defiantly gave it another chance to keep on motoring. Besides the rims, tires and upgraded brakes what all do you have done to it?

 

[homeforsummer]

Deleted the picture, apparently...

 

[WJHMH]

Since Alta was having a 20% off Labor Day sale I went ahead & ordered the SUPER POWER PACKAGE a couple of weeks ago.

Current mod list:


MINI-Madness Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates
15% Supercharger Pulley
Tensioner Stop
Supercharger Pulley Belt
MSD Coil Pack
Spark Plug Wires
Spark Plugs
Intake System
Cat Back Exhaust System
Hawk Plus Brake Pads
& 2" stubby radio antenna

The slotted & drilled rotors came with the car, they were a new install by the former owner & were not damaged.

more to come....

 

[exigeracer]

Ooo this is my personal opinion, but I'd stay far away from a salvage title car. You're dealing with frame damage, and if you're booting the car and looking at a couple track days, things can get squirelly pretty quickly, no matter how much "reinforcing bonding agent" you slather on. When your vast tune is so variable, you don't want constants like the chassis to be throwing your curve off. I won't even mention the safety implications of bent chassis components in the even of another accident.

I'm not familiar with the MINI chassis, so you might only be dealing with a subframe alignment or something. I've always been told (and seen) that salvage titles have too much unknown history to be used as a frame for a performance car. Good luck, but I wouldn't have recommended a salvage title car to anyone I know.

 

[WJHMH]

I used to own a body shop & went over this car thoroughly with another shop owner. Some insurance adjusters don't write up proper estimates & would rather write a car off as a loss than try to fix it. This Mini never got a teardown for any supplemental damage. I do agree for some to avoid salvaged title vehicles unless you know what you’re getting into. ‬ This car has been on the road since May with one track event & a couple rallies without any alignment or frame issues.

 

[Joey D]

Since Alta was having a 20% off Labor Day sale I went ahead & ordered the SUPER POWER PACKAGE a couple of weeks ago.

Current mod list:


MINI-Madness Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates
15% Supercharger Pulley
Tensioner Stop
Supercharger Pulley Belt
MSD Coil Pack
Spark Plug Wires
Spark Plugs
Intake System
Cat Back Exhaust System
Hawk Plus Brake Pads
& 2" stubby radio antenna

The slotted & drilled rotors came with the car, they were a new install by the former owner & were not damaged.

more to come....

Wow, that's quite a list, that little Cooper must be pretty quick. As you can see I don't have much done to mine and I'm beginning to doubt I'll ever will. Oh well there is always the next car.

 

[Joey D]

*sigh*

This is probably going to a be a case of I told you so...OK this is going to be a case of I told you so.

I'm going to pop for winter tires, I have a lot of driving to do this winter and I don't think I'm going to risk it with these tires I have now. Plus I don't really want to mess up the rims with the hideous amount of salt we'll put on the road. The guy that was going to buy my old rims didn't end up doing it (long story) and they have been sitting my grandma's porch all summer. They one that was damaged is out for repair right now and should be fixed by Monday.

Anyways, I need suggestions on them since I have no idea which ones to get. So suggest away.

Also I might end up getting summer tires in the end too. A guy I know wants the tire I have on my car but is to cheap to buy $350 worth of tires. He's offered me $175 for my used tires, and if I end up taking it then I'll be in the market for some summer tires too. Suggestion on them might not be a bad idea either.

Ideally I'd like to keep it $400 or less for each set (total $800).

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

I'll be in the market for some summer tires too. Suggestion on them might not be a bad idea either.

How much are Toyo R888's?

 

[Joey D]

How much are Toyo R888's?

I haven't a clue, Belle Tire is the only place I know of in the area that sells Toyo tires and they don't have the R888's available. They seem a bit over kill for me though, I don't track or auto cross.

If I were to get summer tires I'd like something directional with good wet weather traction. I'd also like the tires to be somewhat light. The Goodyears I have right now are absurdly heavy. I know the rims are heavy at 17lbs each, so it doesn't make that big of a difference. My knowledge on performance tires is slim.

 

[buickgnx88]

Check out the BFGoodrich Traction T/A T's, they have excellent wet and dry performance. Of course, depending on size they weigh 18-25 lbs each. They are even really good in the snow, so they could be solely your winter tires if you choose. They also are cheap, at $49 to $92 per tire, depending on size.

BFGoodrich Traction T/A T

 

[Joey D]

Check out the BFGoodrich Traction T/A T's, they have excellent wet and dry performance. Of course, depending on size they weigh 18-25 lbs each. They are even really good in the snow, so they could be solely your winter tires if you choose. They also are cheap, at $49 to $92 per tire, depending on size.

BFGoodrich Traction T/A T

They don't have quite the performance aspect I'm looking for, even when it comes to all-seasons. And I figured I've ignored the advice on winter tires long enough, so if I'm going to do this I'm going to do it properly and get actual winter tires.

I might just live with the Eagle GT's for the time being as I'm eating through them nicely and just get different summer tires next June or so.

However I might put those Traction T/A's on Kate's Caviler since it needs new tires on it, they look like pretty good tires for what she does and they have to be better then the awful off-brand crap she has on there now.

 

[buickgnx88]

So what tire size are you looking at for the summer tires?

 

[TheBook]

Check out the BFGoodrich Traction T/A T's, they have excellent wet and dry performance. Of course, depending on size they weigh 18-25 lbs each. They are even really good in the snow, so they could be solely your winter tires if you choose. They also are cheap, at $49 to $92 per tire, depending on size.

DO IT.

Those are what's on our PT Cruiser, and they're pretty damn good.

 

[buickgnx88]

DO IT.

Those are what's on our PT Cruiser, and they're pretty damn good.

Yeah, we had them on our '93 Saturn SC2 for winter tires and they worked great, which is why I suggested them.

 

[Perfect Balance]

For winter tires, I'm going to suggest some kind of Blizzaks, they seem to get great reviews.

Stay away from Firestone Winterforce tires. They feel like absolute crap in dry, and they aren't so great in snow either. Personal experience. (not on my car)

 

[Azuremen]

Told you so...

Blizzaks would be my suggestion as well.

As for summer tires, Direzza Star Specs are getting good reviews, and I am found of the Kuhmo XS

 

[Perfect Balance]

I think that's a bit too "summer tire" than he's looking for. With the type of driving he does, he'll never even warm those tires up.

I would suggest BFGoodridge G-Force Sport tires. I had them on my Civic, and even on my 240 for a while. Long lasting and good grip, not to mention very progressive.

 

[Joey D]

So what tire size are you looking at for the summer tires?

205/50/16

For winter tires, I'm going to suggest some kind of Blizzaks, they seem to get great reviews.

Ya I was thinking either Blizzaks or X-Ice, I haven't heard anything bad about either of them.

Told you so...

I know.

As for summer tires, Direzza Star Specs are getting good reviews, and I am found of the Kuhmo XS

I think that's a bit too "summer tire" than he's looking for. With the type of driving he does, he'll never even warm those tires up.

I would suggest BFGoodridge G-Force Sport tires. I had them on my Civic, and even on my 240 for a while. Long lasting and good grip, not to mention very progressive.

I think PB probably got the it right, I think those are a bit overkill too. My first thought was the Star Specs but after reading up on them it looks like I would have to drive like a man possessed at all times.

I've looked into the G-Force Sports too and a lot of MINI owners seem happy with them. I've also thought about Yokohama S.drive's and Toyo Proxes TPT's and T1R's...but I don't know if T1R's are to overkill for my driving.

I also don't really want an obscenely loud tire since I do spend so much time in the car. I don't really care if there is some noise but I've been in some cars where it's awful.

Also if I should look at a different size tire I'm all ears. The rims are 16 x 7 and the standard tires were 175/65/15. According to the tire calculator though miata.net I'm about as close as I can get to the stock size.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'd echo Blizzaks as well. We've had them on all of our FWD sedans over the years, and they're unstoppable in the snow. One recalls a quick run up Honey Creek hill in the old Maxima with a set of those puppies on... Totally awesome.

 

[Joey D]

I think I've pretty much decided on Blizzaks, unless there is some promotion on X-Ice's where I can get a rebate. I think I'm going to head over to Discount tomorrow and see about ordering them.

Also I think I am going to do the summer only tires, but I might end up wanting till next spring. Unless of course I can find a deal around here. It seems like I don't have a ton of options in the 205/50/16 category. However my speedo reads about 5mph too fast right now and if I'm not stupid and figured this out correctly getting 205/55/16's would put it almost spot on.

I got a huge overtime and commission cheque today so I'm a little more apt to spend some money.