I just put in an order for a 2021 MCS without DDC and starting to second guess if I should have added it on. Does it make that much of a difference improving handling? The ride quality on the MCS without DDC was great. I test drove a JCW and DDC would have been a must have as the ride was too stiff for me. Any advice is appreciated.

 

I have it on mine, and honestly speaking, putting it in sport mode makes it ride substantially stiffer, it's noticeable, but not a crazy day/night difference. But if it's in sport mode going through few more pot-hole and uneven roads, it gets really annoying with how harsh and bumpy it becomes.

For cornering, it does make it only slightly better to cut through those sharp turns, but even in normal dampening, it's really not much a fuss either. I almost will say it's not that significant for this added price tag.

Lastly what I'll say is that while my car comes with DDC and it's activated in sport mode, I really can't stay driving in sport mode for that long. Even though there's much improved response and motor growl in sport mode, not long into these Houston roads I find myself annoyed by this harshness due to bumpy roads, and I'd stick it back to normal driving mode. If the DDC comes as a separate control option, like in my 5-series, then everything would be golden. I'm referencing everything to my 2015 MCS with DDC, not sure if in the new cars they'd separate the DDC from Sport mode and have it's own controller.

 

Thanks for your reply. The suspension settings (hard or soft) can be modified to any of the driving modes (green, mid,sport).

 

I have DDC on mine and probably would not order it again. In Sport mode it is way too harsh, which is why I configured Sport mode for engine only. I think it is fine as is in the mid setting, so I wouldn't pay the extra money for it.

Better to order the standard suspension and add a bigger rear sway bar. That way you keep a decent ride and get better handling ... all for about the price of DDC.

 

FWIW, I had it on my 2015 and again on my 2019. Being able to soften the ride in Sport is noticeable. Having herniated and bulging discs in my back, that bit of softening is noticeable (far less painful too). For me, sport mode without it would rattle my teeth if I hit a bump. I prefer the softer ride. $500 up-charge is a consideration.

 

i like the option and think its worth it.

 

It seems to me, after reading lots of suspension posts that there are some clear suspension pathways here, based on your desired end-result.

1. If you want the ability to soften an otherwise 'harsh' sport suspension mode and don't care about the tall stock ride height, the electronically controlled DDC suspension option is for you.
2. If you don't care about a soft suspension and are ready to 'take it as it comes', and also don't care about ride height, the standard sport suspension is for you.
3. If you want the softest possible ride, and also don't care about a sporty feel or ride height, the standard suspension is for you.
4. If you want to lower your car 10, 20, or 30mm for better looks and a slightly improved performance over the stock sport suspension, but without the option to soften things up, the JCW coilovers (made by KW) are for you.
5. If you want to lower your car or dump your car, and have full control over preload, compression and rebound dampening, camber/caster adjustments, an aftermarket high end coilover kit plus camber plates is for you.

In all cases, it seems like at least a stiffer rear sway bar (w/better end links) is preferable to help with understeering tendencies, along with an aftermarket engine mount. Jury is still out on a matched front sway, but it seems like most feel that it's also a benefit, if you're willing to drop your front subframe to install it.

At least for the MINI layman (not club racer), is this about right?