R60 Appearance opinions
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 72
[QUOTE="stardoc;3862384"]I don't mind the lifted look, but the standard suspension is so sloppy that I'd be afraid to make it even worst. My suspension dollars would go towards an aftermarket sports set up.[/QUOTE
I would hardly call the standard suspension "sloppy". Yes, there is a little (read little) more body roll, but it's still very tossable and very much a MINI.
I would hardly call the standard suspension "sloppy". Yes, there is a little (read little) more body roll, but it's still very tossable and very much a MINI.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Body roll is one thing, this car suffers from serious suspension issues and I wouldn't feel safe "tossing" it around. Check out what automobile mag said about the suspension, I think the word "oxcart" was used in there somewhere.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews..._all4_wrap_up/
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews..._all4_wrap_up/
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 914
Likes: 54
I'm with ASKtheteach on this one. While the Countryman may not have go-kart handling, its definitely 'tossable' and is far better than my Honda Civic... and i dont really care what the mag rags have to say cuz most of them are simply out to sell their stories and controversial comments attract readers.
Trending Topics
I'm with ASKtheteach on this one. While the Countryman may not have go-kart handling, its definitely 'tossable' and is far better than my Honda Civic... and i dont really care what the mag rags have to say cuz most of them are simply out to sell their stories and controversial comments attract readers.
Compared to the other cars we test drove — VW, Subaru, Toyota — it's a tight, balanced, tossable car. A joy to drive.
Compared to my Clubman S or my old R53, it is easily upset by abrupt maneuvers and slow to regain its stability. I would not drive it hard into bends; I'm not confident I would come out the other end still on tarmac.
I suspect it would be *much* improved with a stiffer rear sway bar.
Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring
I have 20" inch tires and went the opposite way lowered the car with HR springs. The 20's came with the car and I still wanted to reduce the gap. At first I wasn't happy then installed a rear sway and everything "works" and feels and handles great! I installed the Way rear sway.
Summer: big rims, normal ride height.
Winter: 16" wheels with chunky all-terrain rubber and a lift. Kinda like these guys:
https://i.imgur.com/TLUHj9L.png
https://i.imgur.com/lKHBM7j.png
Of course you could do both at once...
https://i.imgur.com/2Qkea5C.png
Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 615
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, OH
? We ordered the 19" wheels on our JCW R60 and really like them. They fill out the wheel well nicely and the car handles great with them.As far as the suspension goes, ours has the OEM sport suspension and I helped it out with a front strut brace/bar and 22mm rear ASB.
I had the car on the Dragon and other roads in that area last September, and IMO this suspension is anything but "oxcart-like".
the full-time AWD really gets the rear end to track really well. try as I might, I had a hard time getting the rear end to step out-something pretty easy to do with dedicated FWD vehicles.
I can really throw the car into corners at aggressive speeds with confidence.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
Body roll is one thing, this car suffers from serious suspension issues and I wouldn't feel safe "tossing" it around. Check out what automobile mag said about the suspension, I think the word "oxcart" was used in there somewhere.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews..._all4_wrap_up/
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews..._all4_wrap_up/
Originally Posted by http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1212_2011_mini_cooper_s_countryman_all4_wrap_up/
A more significant example of BMW's influence has been Mini's fun-to-drive character, and that's evident here as well, despite this being a taller, larger Mini. "Just about no one tunes electric power steering as well as Mini," said associate editor David Zenlea. Our Countryman was not equipped with the optional sport suspension, but even without it, the Mini was really in its element on rural country roads, barreling up and down inclines and ripping through sweeping curves. "On smooth back roads, the Countryman is a delight," we wrote.
Notice, however, the qualifier "smooth." If the pavement is anything other than smooth, the Countryman suffers serious bump steer -- and that was just the start of the complaints about ride quality. Logbook commenters debated whether it was akin to a hay wagon or an oxcart. It had drivers dodging potholes, broken pavement, manhole covers, pebbles in the road. And while that did add a video-game element to the driving experience, we eventually sought a fix. Just before the 5000-mile mark, we replaced the stiff-sidewall Pirelli run-flats with a set of non-run-flat Continental ExtremeContact DWS all-season tires on Tire Rack's recommendation. "We've taken the ride quality from unforgivable to acceptable," senior web editor Phil Floraday proclaimed afterward. "It's amazing how much better the ride is with a little sidewall flex." Others felt that the new tires helped, but did not completely fix, the issue.
Notice, however, the qualifier "smooth." If the pavement is anything other than smooth, the Countryman suffers serious bump steer -- and that was just the start of the complaints about ride quality. Logbook commenters debated whether it was akin to a hay wagon or an oxcart. It had drivers dodging potholes, broken pavement, manhole covers, pebbles in the road. And while that did add a video-game element to the driving experience, we eventually sought a fix. Just before the 5000-mile mark, we replaced the stiff-sidewall Pirelli run-flats with a set of non-run-flat Continental ExtremeContact DWS all-season tires on Tire Rack's recommendation. "We've taken the ride quality from unforgivable to acceptable," senior web editor Phil Floraday proclaimed afterward. "It's amazing how much better the ride is with a little sidewall flex." Others felt that the new tires helped, but did not completely fix, the issue.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
While there's no doubt that the CM can't match the other Mini's in the handling department it's still pretty amazing how flat it corners, especially when you consider that this is a tallish car (though the CM is not as tall as a true crossover it is taller than most sedans).
I have a non-S turbo ALL4 with regular suspension and 17" wheels, FWIW.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
F55/F56 Do I have rear fog lights?
Peking Duck
F55/F56 :: Hatch Talk (2014+)
13
Jan 19, 2021 03:17 AM
R50/53 Help please.. Odd issue.
PsychoRallye
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
21
Feb 17, 2019 06:08 AM
