I'd like to try one thing at a time, like stiffer sway bars. See how I like it, then move to more suspension mods. Of course, if someone wants to be the first aftermarket F56 suspension test platform, please post your results!!

 

That's what I'd recommend, and that's what I did with my 2007 MCS, I think it was a 21mm rear bar but it could have been 19mm. The way the guy from Way explained it is the Mini wants to understeer, and a thicker rear bar reduces that, whereas a thicker front bar increases it. So Way doesn't even make thicker front bars. Some guys went overboard and did like 23mm and could get into trouble in turns because the car wanted to oversteer/rotate/swap ends. Bar cost $200 installation $100. I noticed the cornering difference right away, but the ride itself was the same.

 

It looks like the SS on the F56 is more than just thicker anti-sway bars, which may have been the case in a previous generation, as per TheBigNewt.

From the MINI configurator: "MINI offers an optional Sport Suspension, using stiffer springs, dampers, and thicker anti-sway bars ..."

 

I didn't read all the responses but thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I have a 2013 factory JCW and a 2012 Factory JCW. The 2012 has the "sport suspension" option on top of being a JCW. I can definitely tell the difference between the two cars. The 2012 is a much stiffer ride.

 

Thanks!! Exactly what I'm looking for, less body roll, more go kart feel.

 

I've had a lot of questions about the different suspension options too, so I finally poked around a bit.

Realoem.com has the suspension parts for the F56. Using a March 2014 build date, I've found different struts/shock absorbers both front and rear for regular, sports, and VDC, and different sway bars front and rear for regular and sports. All evidence points to VDC using the regular suspension sway bars.

The base Cooper has the same sway bars as the base S, but different struts/shock absorbers. As the literature says, the sports suspension on both Cooper and S are the same part numbers, as are the VDC part numbers.

The ideal combo for me would be VDC struts and sports suspension sway bars, but that does not seem to be an option both based on what Mini has said and based on realOEM part diagrams.

I'm not quite sure how a non-VDC car would feel any different upon pushing the sports button. There is no evidence that there is anything on the car to be changed as far as suspension is concerned.

It would be so much easier if Mini just gave out the specs ahead of time and there would be no speculation or misinformation.

I highly recommend becoming familiar with realOEM, especially when your warranty runs out!

Summary of suspension choices:
Base Cooper - regular sway bar, Cooper struts/shocks
Base S - regular sway bar, S struts/shocks
Sport Suspension Cooper and S - upgraded sway bars, upgrade struts (same parts for both)
VDC Cooper and S - regular sway bar, VDC struts (same parts for both)

 

Aha, I thought I had read that the S had a stiffer setup than the Justa.

 

gwman, you rock. Thanks for finding this site and taking the time to pore through the tedium to distill it all down for us. Extremely useful!

 

One of the rare references made to the optional Sport Suspension in a review...

http://www.cars.com/mini/hardtop/201...reviewId=60143

 

Bumping this thread. Someone tested the sport suspension yet?

 

I ordered SS and I have been driving it over the last 5 days and 500 miles. I have 16s with RFs and the tire pressure has been at 100mph+ psi at 41F/38R. Under 100mph it is recommended at psi 35F/R. So what do I think? It's not as harsh as other MINIs I have owned with SS. It is firm, but not to the point of abusing you. Just as the reviewer and OP posted. It is firmer than the standard and Adaptive suspension in my opinion, two suspension setups that disappointed me to the point that I was not going to buy a MINI with them. I felt both suspensions above had too much body roll/pitching and general overall softness. I feel the SS takes care of those things I didn't like.

I think if you feel the Adaptive and base suspension setups are just not for you, then pull the trigger on the SS, because it's great! I actually feel that it could be a little firmer, but if that was the case it would be probably too harsh for 95% of most drivers and be too track focused. So this SS is going to appeal to many if they get the chance to experience it. It is unfortunate that there are not Spec'd MINIs coming to dealerships with SS, because I feel that many would buy it and/or tick that box when ordering a F56.

I am driving a Base with SS, 16s with Hankook Optima RFs. I will eventually try deflating down to the recommended 35psi, also I think SS would be fine with 17s as well.

It all comes down to what you want and it is hard put it in words, it is a very subjective. So I'd say if you don't like the two options coming in on most MINIs, Adaptive and base suspension, then you will be happier with SS.

My 2008 Clubman and 2011 Countryman both with SS both seem more abusive than this SS setup on my F56.

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the feedback, I plan on trying to drive one with SS, but if I can't find one, I'll likely order it anyway.

 

thanx! will be SS for me then! Adaptive in sport was to soft for me.

 

Edit- measured again more accurately- adding a new post with the info below...

 

Sometimes RealOEM will list the bar and/or bushing diameter (at least that has been my previous experience with some BMW stuff), unfortunately they don't in our case of the F56. Bummer

 

Of course they are going to say that. They are in the business to sell aftermarket parts. Reading between the lines I bet the shock tube is the same but it is valved differently with a slightly thicker oil. The spring would probably be different too to match the new valves.

 

If my memory serves me the stock suspension rear AWB used to be 17mm, the SS rear bar 18mm, and my aftermarket from Way Motor Works was 19mm. Some used 21mm. There was someone who did 23mm but the bar was hollow not solid so it wasn't that drastic. The funny thing was that the SS supposedly has a slightly thicker FRONT swaybar too, but that supposedly counteracts the thicker rear bar's desired effect which is to decrease understeer. None of the aftermarket people even made a thicker front bar.

 

Yes, whether the bars are hollow or solid is going to make a big difference- I'll try to look at the ends and see if I can tell. The other nice thing about some of the aftermarket bars are the adjustable mounting points- that can make a huge difference, even with the same size bar.

Front vs. rear bars- ok, this is coming from my Honda experience, but... stiffer rear bar increases oversteer, which is basically what we are lacking in a FWD car. However- consider that most of the weight is over the front, and that's the end that steers. Whatever you do to keep the front end flat is going to keep the whole car flat. When I put a thicker bar on the front, the steering got a lot more responsive, and the whole car felt more flat, and just fun to drive. So a "matched" set (from the same maker) is great for the street. If you're going to the track, and want to hang the rear out a bit, put on the biggest rear bar you can find. Or just put the front bar on the one of the looser settings, and the rear on the stiffer.

 

Like I said you can't find front bars for the R56. Too thick a rear bar and you can get into trouble if you don't know what you're doing. One guy who used to be on here ended up with his car on its side with a 21-22mm bar he got.

 

Looks like Eibach and H&R have front bars for the R56...?

Agreed on your point of going too thick on the rear bar! I understand that some who race suggest getting your oversteer through spring rates, not through sway bars. I've heard that a too-stiff bar on too-soft springs can lead to roll-overs, because the bar is not dampened. Once you are done twisting it (halfway through a turn), it wants to spring back in the opposite direction.

So... anybody want to measure their non-SS bars and make me feel good about getting the SS? =)

 

I think mine was an H&R 19mm. I just never ever heard of anyone installing a thicker front bar before. My current SS seems quite neutral, not a lot of understeer. I noticed the difference on my other car right away.

 

Ok- finally had wheels off to put on spacers & mud flaps, so was able to get good accurate measurements.

Front is 24mm

Rear is 21.5mm

I was sad for a second to think that I won't get much improvement with a NM bar, then I realized that the OEM bars are hollow, and the NM is solid. So... yeah, really looking forward to that upgrade =)