My cooper has a hard ride and rattles over bumps and holes. I'm going to replace the control arm bushings but am wondering if I am suppose to replace the shocks and struts. I hear about the koni fsd, but they are really expensive. What alternatives do I have? Thanks!

 

Are you still riding on Run-Flat tires?
If yes, that's 95% of your harshness and rattles.

Do you also have sports package on the car?

Koni FSDs are cheap as far as quality struts go.
Anything better will cost more.
Anything that costs less is likely to be of at best equal, or likely lower quality than OEM.

a

 

I do have the runflats and no sport package. What kind of tires are popular for replacement of the runflats? I've looked around an can't seem to find any specific tire size for my 17"s.

 

Tirerack or Discount Tire has lots of options. This is stock size from Discount -

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/sea...5&rd=17&cs=205

 

ANY tire shop can fit you into a good set of all season tires. Whatever you would slap onto the old sedan is fine for your MINI. Nothing sacred there unless you are tracking but then you wouldn't be asking. Motoringwerks.com has KONI FSD dampers for about half price right now

 

That's your problem - @#$%ing run-flops!!!
Don't touch your suspension until you fix the tires.

For 17" stock wheels, the factory tire size is 205/45-17. There are relatively few good performance tires in that size, and those few are priced higher than the following alternatives:
- option 1: 215/45-17: Very popular tire size with other cars, lots of good tire choices at around $20/per cheaper than 205's.
Behold 84 choices available on TireRack:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...45&diameter=17

- option 2: 225/45-17: A little wider and a tighter fit inside the wheel well, but also an option.

If you are looking for a good everyday summer tire (meaning you you have a set of snow tires or live in an area where it doesn't snow), consider Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

Hope this helps,
a

 

Thanks for the responses guys! However, I do not have the stock 17" rims. I have black Akuza 17"s 12 spokes. Will the 215/45-17 fit these? Thanks again guys!

 

What's the width and offset of your aftermarket rims?
Stock suspension or lowered?

OEM wheels are 17x7", ET:48.
215/45-17 will definitely fit OEM rims.

Note - the concern is not tires fitting onto the wheels, rather, how well both will fit into the wheel. If yours are close to stock in width and offset, they will fit.

a

 

I have no idea. They seem similar width to oem but that's just free eyeing it, I bought the car used and it came with the rims. Is there a way to measure this?

 

I just checked online and found them here if this helps: http://www.bigbrandwheels.com/AKUZA-Wheels-AKA-424-17-inch-17x7-0-Black-Rims-with-Machined-Center-and-Lip/8748/

 

That's half the puzzle, now we need to confirm the wheel's offset (the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the mounting surface plane):
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...jsp?techid=101


You can usually find that info stamped on the back of the wheel spoke, similar to the following pic:
https://www.google.com/search?q=whee...82%3B250%3B215

a

 

Sorry for the delay, I've been a little busy. All I can find is that my tires are milestar 225/40r18. Any ideas?

 

But you can't put 18" tires on 17" wheels