So... i just now figured out there are these 2 options on the F56

However im curious to know if my F56 has any of those option installed.

Does anyone know how to tell if their car is equipped with which?

 

BMW VIN Decoder

 

Damn. i guess im out of luck then, is it possible to get it added on at the dealership?

 

Alot of us are waiting on aftermarket or JCW parts to come out to stiffen up the suspension a bit and eliminate some body roll.

 

From experience on my R56 let me suggest that if you want the most effective suspension mod just get a thicker rear antisway bar, 21mm. That will make the car handle better by reducing the built in understeer in corners. The factory sport suspension consists of slightly thicker front and read sway bars, but the rear one is the one that improves the understeer. I had one by Way Motorworks installed for $300 total and it was great. If you want the car lowered then you'll need aftermarket or factory JCW coilovers as well but the rear bar does quite a lot and is simple and doesn't make the ride harsher at all.

 

Well i am not a racer or anything, but i wanted a Mini so it give me a go kart kind of ride feeling.
I am upset that i didnt know about the options it had before i bought my vehicle.
I dont mind lowering the car by a little to eliminate some gap.

But i havent really been able to find ANY aftermarket parts for the F56.

 

Well you should have found out about the suspension options before you bought the car maybe? There will be aftermarket options, but it's too new of a car. On the R56 the JCW suspension which includes sway bars and coilovers that lowers the car about 1/2 inch costs $2000 installed at the dealer I think. The factory dynamic damper thing mainly makes the suspension a bit softer for those who drive over rougher roads I think .

 

The DDC gives you the choice of either softening or stiffening the standard ride by 10%.

 

The Dynamic Damper Control is well worth the money. Noticeable stiffness and reduction of body roll when Sport Mode activated. Feels like more than 10% actually - and I like how the steering weight increases as well. Memories of the magnetic dampers on my old Audi.

 

I agree - I'm loving the DDC.

A question - does the coast mode in Green work for those who don't have DDC? I read something in the on board manual about this that didn't quite make sense to me.

 

The green mode coasting is not tied to the Dynamic Damper Control suspenion, its tied to the Driving Dynamics Control! Yes, MINI used the same acronym for two things.

Driving Dynamics Control is just the switch that flips between Sport/Mid/Green (see page 108 of the manual, page 149 is where it says coasting is enabled when Driving Dynamics Control is set to green and I guess what caused your confusion).

I see the coasting kick in all the time on my car without the DDC suspension, its easy to see when on the highway with the current MPG displayed on the speedo, it spikes to 99.9 regularly.

 

I very rarely drive in the green mode, but I find it interesting how smoothly the system disengages and reengages when coasting.

 

Thanks. That makes more sense. TMA (too many acronyms).

 

What is this "coasting mode?"

 

Getting pretty off topic, but, it's cool!

When in green mode and above 30mph, if you are not actively pressing the gas and speed is not decreasing (flat surface/going down a hill), the engine and transmission decouple, leaving the engine to idle to conserve fuel. As soon as you hit the accelerator or brake it couples again. Its entirely seamless and unnoticeable unless you watch the current MPG gauge to watch it spike to 99.9. Combined with cruise control on the highway you get serious fuel savings. My most recent highway trip average 43mpg, and that was 15% city on either side.

 

I'd expect the engine to not be idling when coasting.

 

And yet, it is!

From the manual, page 159, section Coasting: '...automatically decoupled from the transmission when the selector lever position D is engaged. The vehicle continues traveling with the engine idling to reduce fuel consumption. Selector level position D remains engaged.'

Idling is the term they use. The RPMs drop to the same as if you were sitting and doing nothing. Idle. Not actively moving the wheels, just on and running and ready to go.