There are many different types of adjustable replacements for suspension cones, typically called hi-lows.
I've only had one type until I imported a car from Japan. Here are some photos to show the differences:
In the first shot you can see the front and rear hi-lows of two different types. The ones with the smooth cylindrical rods at the rears and the rough sand cast alloy parts are the same as the ones on Mokesta. These are cheap to make and do the job perfectly well. The others are from the Japan car. See the turned-down hex bar, the smooth surface finish and the grease nipple for the thread. These must cost three times as much to make but do the same job. They even have special plastic covers for the cone end to stop contamination of the threads...
Here are just the two types of fronts.
The Japanese ones have one difference. The surface that bears on the rubber cone is concave. This means it engages the cone earlier and increases the effective spring rate. That is the theory, but I don't know what the real effect on wheel rate is.
Here are the standard type against the Jap ones. See the standard ones have a straight face, like the alloy trumpets had.
So there you go. The japs have over-engineered one of the simplest items on a mini. I hate to think what they would cost new! The only benefit they have is that they use smaller spanners to adjust. The downside is that they are heavier and a waste of $$. To use willy's terms, they are more wank than bling.
The standard type shown here were the ones I had for sale. They are sold now, awaiting shipping.
M
PS: I bet Miniman could make you a set with whatever cone face shape you want.
