I wonder if someone could tell me all the parts that are different in the suspension of these two cars? These are the parts that I suspect are different:

Springs
Swaybars
Shocks (struts)


Maybe the control arms are different lengths. Any parts that you KNOW are different please fill me in. The shocks may very well be the same. I fully expect springs and sway bars are different.

Thanks very much for your help.

 

Suspension set up in a stock MINI is broken up into three levels.

MC with stock suspension
MC with sport suspension plus
MCS with stock suspension

Each MINI has slightly different individual suspension parts as evidenced by numberous part numbers for shocks and springs, less so for swaybars. This is because with each MINI option (NAV, Xenon lights, Sunroof, etc) there are different weights so with different loads the suspension parts change.

MC with sports suspension plus is supposed to be close but not identical to the MCS stock.
The MCS stock is supposed to be some 20-30% stiffer suspension than an MC stock.

As far as I know the rear upper and lower control arms and links on all MINIs are the same.

 

>>MC with sports suspension plus is supposed to be close but not identical to the MCS stock.

A Mini Cooper with the Sport Suspension Plus has the identical suspension to a Mini Cooper S if the Cooper S is not equiped with the Moon Roof. If the Cooper S does have the roof, the roll bars and the shocks and struts will still be the same, but the spring ratings are changed.

 

Thanks gentlemen, very good information.

Now, with that newly gained knowledge let me revise my question.

What are the differences between an MC standard (non sport) suspension and an MCS, say, without a sunroof. Let's, for the moment, ignore the subtle differences indicated by optional equipment and assume the same springs for all. Now what parts are different?

Are the differences limited to the springs and bars, or are the control links of different length? End links of different length?

Where I'm going here is, could I simply substitute a set of MCS or MC sport suspension springs and bars and have an MCS suspension, or will I need some other parts to make things right?

I am aware that with aftermarket springs, adjustable rear control links are needed to bring the camber back in spec. Are the control links on an MCS different length to compensate for this?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

 

Here's a couple links to the suspension parts on various models (MC.MCS, One):
What suspension parts differ in MC & MCS?
ETK Spring Table

 

Thanks for the link cristo.

From that link I learned that there is no rear sway bar whatsoever on a base MC. That means I will have to come up with end links as well as the bar.

I still wonder if the rear control arms are the same link on all cars.

Thanks for all the help everyone, please keep it coming.

 

The base MC does have a rear bar. Perhaps the link was saying a One (not available in the US) has no rear bar.

 

Thanks asodestrom.

I still would like to know if the rear control arm is the same on all models.

Thanks for everyones comments.

 

I am sure this will help answer some of your questions: (Links taken from MINI2.com Technical specs section):


MINI Cooper specs:

http://www.mini2.com/technical/cooper.php


MINI Cooper S specs:

http://www.mini2.com/technical/coopers.php


MINI ONE and MINI ONE D (Neither one sold in North America):

http://www.mini2.com/technical/one.php

http://www.mini2.com/technical/oned.php


MINI Cooper Convertible (On sale as of July 2004):

http://www.mini2.com/technical/convertible.php

 

The only differences are springs, bars and shocks.

 

I thank everyone very much for the replies, links and detailed information. With that info and getting parts coming this direction here's my plan:

I will start by putting on a set of MCS springs all around with a change to an H Sport three position Sway bar in the rear. I have read where folks have gone to even lower springs with no adjustments.

I put the car on my lift this morning for the first time and confirmed that really the only adjustment is front toe. So, after all the goodies are installed, I will check front toe and zero if necessary.

After all that is done I will go from there. I have a set of S Lites coming, but the tire selection is bothering me. I just don't want to increase tire diameter since the MC is not overpowered. I may go to something like 195 55 15's or 205 55 15's on the stock wheels. The slightly shorter tire won't hurt power.

Although I don't want to decrease power in any way, I'm after improved handling. I can live with the limited power.

Thanks again for taking the time with all your great responses.

 

>>
>>>>MC with sports suspension plus is supposed to be close but not identical to the MCS stock.
>>
>> A Mini Cooper with the Sport Suspension Plus has the identical suspension to a Mini Cooper S if the Cooper S is not equiped with the Moon Roof. If the Cooper S does have the roof, the roll bars and the shocks and struts will still be the same, but the spring ratings are changed.
>>
>>
The ratio of sring rates front to rear is different on a Cooper than on a MCS. There is more weight on the front of an MCS so the rates are higher. Cooper SS+ and MCS spring all have differnt part numbers and paint marks.

 

FWD-MX5,

Just as I thought I had my plan all laid out.....

Thanks for the info, it's better to know this now than to learn it after I've taken it off the lift and done the work. I show 45 pounds difference between MC and MCS and I expect every bit of that to be in the front.

Hmmmm.. What next?

Thanks again,

 

LilRed, does your MC have the CVT? If so, that adds back about 33 pounds in the front.

 

No CVT. This is a base car. No accessories whatsoever. I wonder how different it would be with MCS springs. I may just try it. I don't think it will be a big deal to just swap out the springs since I have a two post lift.

Thanks,

 

>>FWD-MX5,
>>
>>Just as I thought I had my plan all laid out.....
>>
>>Thanks for the info, it's better to know this now than to learn it after I've taken it off the lift and done the work. I show 45 pounds difference between MC and MCS and I expect every bit of that to be in the front.
>>
>>Hmmmm.. What next?
>>
>>Thanks again,

See this thread for corner weights for various MINIs:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47114

Don't forget, the S has a significantly larger exhaust system and has its battery in the hatch.

 

Ooh, if you can cancel that deal, DO IT! The S-lites are waaaay too heavy, especially if you haven't changed your spring rates yet. Rota and Team Dynamics Racing make excellent sets of inexpensive lightweight wheels for the MINI, or go for Volk or OZ or Centerline if you can afford them. I got a set of OZ Superleggeras, and the difference is night and day, changing over from S-Lites.

 

Does anyone know if the MC's SS struts are significantly different in dampening/redbound rates than the SS+ ones? They have different part numbers, I know, but are the internals different?

 

Doc-

I put in MCS springs, struts and rear swaybar in my "non-sport-package" MC. I left the "softer" front swaybar.

Net effect: stiffer, former ride, with near over/undertseer balance. With teh MCS rear swaybar, leaving the front swaybar in had the same effect as putting in a stiffer aftermarket swaybar on in the rear on a MCS or "sport suspension" equipped MC...

A really great cost-effective mod for me.


HTH