Evidently the $1,250 Sport Package deals with wheels and lights - not shocks and springs.

The optional $500 Sport Suspension gives stiff springs and swaybars, and the $500 Dynamic Damper Control allows firming/softening the shocks.

And you could order any one or two or all three of those three options.

So, what's the smart way to go given (1) I'm never going to autocross or track this car, (2) my wife will probably think the ride is too harsh regardless, and (3) I enjoy driving and will definitely order the Sport Package? I'm inclined to order the DDC unless you tell me it doesn't make a noticeable difference, but I'm inclined to skip the stiff suspension.

Now that these MCSs have been out for a while, what are your reviews regarding DDC and Sport Susp.? Thanks.

 

Are you familiar with MINIs of the previous generations? I guess so.

The current sports suspension on my 3-cylinder feels a lot like my old R50, except it rolls a bit more when pushed. The regular suspension is really rolling, like a 1980's Oldsmobile Delta 88.

 

Mind: blown

... all this time I've been under the impression that DDC and Sport Suspension was an either/or sort of thing, but I looked again at the pricing guide and I think you're right! Learn something new every day, I guess.

 

same here i would've so ordered my car differently now knowing this lol. that being said. I love the DDC, and have never had or tried the sport suspension. The DDC does a good job of taking it there in sport mode, but I can only imagine it would get even better, almost like lexus's sport + mode.

 

For what it's worth, the sport suspension in my R56 could be pretty harsh. I've got an F55 loaner now with the standard suspension, and I rather like it. Seems pretty firm, but not too firm; definitely don't get any 1980s Oldsmobile feel from it. Makes me regret a little bit getting the sport suspension on the F56 order I just put in last Monday.

 

You wont regret it.

 

Interesting...

So you'd be left with standard sport suspension firm in mid mode and extra firm sport suspension in sport mode?

I guess if you're ok with picking between rough and extra rough, go for it

Its amazing nobody has mentioned/found this sooner...Will be even more amazing if it actually works..

Anyway, there is a noticeable difference with DDC when you switch between mid and sport mode, but I suggest a test drive so you can feel it out for yourself.

 

FWIW I don't think you can select both the Sport suspension and the DDC. I just toyed around with the Configurator, and it's an either/or proposition.

From what I've read, if you use the 'standard' suspension as your baseline:

• DDC in 'normal' or 'green' mode is 10% softer, and in Sport mode it's 10% firmer than standard.
• Sport suspension is 30% firmer than standard.

Also factor in the firmness of the runflats, and what size wheel you're getting (less sidewall = harsher ride).

My F56S is waiting to ship, so I can't give you personal feedback. But all of the MINIs I test-drove had the standard suspension, and either 16" or 17" wheels. I ended up going with the the standard suspension and 17" wheels (automatic upgrade in the Sports Package, which is part of the Fully Loaded package I selected). I've had both standard (R55S) and sport suspension (R55JCW) and I preferred the standard suspension for day-to-day driving. I wound up upgrading the sway bar on my S, otherwise no other mods were made. I don't know if I'll make any suspension mods on the F56 - yet.

Good luck with your choice!

 

The configurator is not to be trusted. According to the configurator, you can't order a car with universal garage door buttons on the rearview mirror, nor a car with the driver assistant package. And shadow gray is a no-cost option with the off-white interior, but the configurator will charge you $100. The pricing guide has all of these spot-on.

 

When I ordered my '15 JCW it was either/or you couldn't choose both. The motoringfile article also called the sport suspension a stand alone option. It would be interesting if you could choose both.

 

While I agree with you re: the configurator, and I've seen some options disappear (garage door opener / compass) while others (active cruise control) were never on the configurator, just because it's on the pricing guide doesn't mean the order will be accepted.

As mentioned on this thread, Motoringfile and a few other sites have spelled out that the suspension options are an either/or consideration. Now there's no reason why - in theory - you couldn't order the DDC then install the Suspension Package parts on your own.

 

Well, I just ordered my new F56 S this past Monday, and had my MA add the garage door opener option because it's on the pricing guide but not on the configurator.

And this lady in North Carolina was able to order the driver assistant package (active cruise control, plus other goodies) on her F56, despite the fact that she had to push for them to add the option code (her MA didn't think it was available). So...

We may not know 100% until someone orders both and receives a car with both. All I'm saying is that there's no restriction in the pricing guide on ordering both, and thus far, I haven't seen the pricing guide be wrong (I have seen the configurator be wrong a lot).

 

I'm the OP here and I now believe I was mistaken in thinking that I could order BOTH the DDC and the Sport Suspension together. It does appear that the configurator permits only one of those options - not both. Choosing one deselects the other. Maybe the configurator's wrong here, but probably not.

 

I say tell your MA to put both on the order.
Be our guinea pig.

 

I only see 3 PNs (non-sport, sport and EDC) for the strut/shock so even if you somehow get both option codes on the order, you're gonna end up with just one.

 

The options are mutually exclusive.

 

Got the Ddc and 18" wheels
Is the sport Arb a worthwhile upgrade or should I wait for the aftermarket to catch up and go larger

 

Love the sport suspension on my MCS. The car feels like it's on "rails." The standard suspension feels a bit "soft" to me with some body lean.

 

You cannot get it both ways. I'd say from what the OP says about his wife he should get the adjustable DDC, at least you have choices that way. And FYI the sport suspension basically consists of slightly thicker front and rear sway bars. I know, it's supposed to be stiffer springs and dampers, and I know, the parts numbers are different than standard. But the aftermarket people who have taken them off cars for aftermarket suspensions say the springs are the same, and the sway bars are only 1-2mm thicker than stock, so it's not radically different. People would hate that. I have the sport suspension and it's not that harsh, it feels similar to my 2007 MCS that I put an aftermarket rear sway bar on. It reduces the understeer which is a good thing in this car.

 

17" wheels and DDC here.

carman63 has it right re: the settings - 10% softer than stock in MID and GREEN, 10% stiffer in SPORT and you can turn the stiffer setup off while in SPORT too (which I do sometimes, our roads can be rough).

My wife likes the softer ride in MID (as do I sometimes, much smoother than my CM with 18"s, RFs, and stock suspension) and I like that when it's just me and the roads are curvy and open I can switch the DDC to the SPORT settings.

I've driven MINI's with the sport suspension and they do ride stiffer, but not too stiff and I believe they also benefit from a stiffer sway bar, so there is less body lean. I, personally, preferred the option to switch back and forth at will, albeit to a less sporty degree than sport suspension.

....and for the record, you CANNOT opt for both DDC and SS. It's one or the other.

 

I'm actually going to clarify this tomorrow with my Mini dealership. I'm close to pulling the trigger on a base cooper and want both so we shall see.

 

My MCS has the standard suspension and the DDC. Our roads aren't as bad as up in the North, but I'm still glad I have the standard suspension (also 16" tires) to avoid creating some squeaks and rattles -- still have some. I rarely use the DDC and only on smooth roads.

 

Configurator has sport suspension as a zero cost option with JCW exterior package on 2-dr hardtop. Can also put in DDC. 4-dr hardtop with JCW exterior option insists on the sport suspension and deletes JCW if you try to select DDC.

 

Don't put a whole lot of trust in to the configurator...

I have an F55 with the JCW exterior packs with DDC - You CANNOT opt for both sport suspension AND DDC. It's SS OR DDC OR the standard suspension

 

Hiya

I just ordered both sports suspension and variable dampers for my Cooper 5 door from the New Zealand dealer. The computer accepted the order, but the next day I got told that the factory would not allow me to have both, so I had to choose.
Dammit!
I chose VDC, but am seriously rethinking it…adjustability would be cool, but Im buying a mini cos I like corners….ooh the pain and suffering of these 1st world problems!