I'm selling my R53 and ordering a new R56. I want to reuse my M7 coilovers on the R56. My question is will the M7 Coilovers ride softer on the R56 than they do on my R53? Same suspension but different car. I have heard the R56 by nature rides softer and smoother. True?
Thank you
Mario

 

I am quite sure the mounting brackets and parts for the two cars are different. Otherwise people could buy the heavily discounted JCW R53 suspension at Morristown MINI to use with their new MINI R56.

As to the ride, the springs between the two cars are different as well. My R56 is much more compliant (though not in a bad way) than my coil-over equipped MINI Cooper was.

Sell the suspension and order your new car with the factory sport suspension to start. If it's not stiff enough, do the Mach V Motorsport springs (which really make the car look cool as well as help with handling) Sway bars make a difference as well and can completely eliminate understeer if that's what you want.

 

They should ride the same; their suspensions are almost identical! The few changes are the way the balljoints mount to the front control arm, but the geometry is very similar.

You'll need new top-hats as they are different with the R56, and you'll need Helix13's rear shock adapters to plug into the aluminum rear trailing arms.

Cheers, and have fun with the R56 mega torque-fest!
Ryan

 

I know M7 uses the same coilovers in both their R53 and R56 so I know for a fact they will fit. The JCW and sport suspension is not low enough for me. I want my car slammed with the rear tucked.
Mario

 

Thank you Ryan, I hope I fall in love with the R56. I'm looking for 230whp and 270wtq. Thank God for mods.
Mario

 

Mario give Peter a call and he could set you up with a test ride if you want. He has been coming up to VCR now and then and maby you could meet up ? We drove it to SEMA this year and it was very comfortable .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Thank you Randy, whats your opinion on the ride quailty? You would not best since you have driven both R53 and R56 with M7"s

 

I would say without a doubt better . The big reason is that there is less weight due to the aluminum block of the R-56. The car just feels a lot lighter on it's feet than mine. My car also is less comfortable due to the overall stiffness of the body due to the roll bar, rear chassis brace ,USS etc.It feels more like a track car than a road car but I am OK with that Peter's car only has the rear chassis brace and sway bar on it at this time . If you liked the way they felt on your R-53 you will only like it more on the new car.

Randy
M7 Tuning