I have a 2011 fJCW Clubman with the Sport suspension option and about 35K on the clock. Mods include Powerflex control arm bushings, NM torque arm inserts, NM strut bar, and an H-Sport 22mm rear sway bar. The car's handling always felt incredible, but after MINIs on the Dragon this year it felt like it turned to mush. It still corners nice and flat, but on rough roads it feels much spongier and less precise. Granted, most of the roads in Massachusetts are garbage, but the car feels quite different and is no longer as much fun to drive. There were lots of spirited miles driving on and around the Dragon, but there was never any abuse or driving beyond the limits.

When hitting bumps, there is much more up and down suspension travel than there used to be. The ride is much harsher and it pounds harder when hitting the bigger bumps. And compounding the problem, the steering also feels less precise and there is a slight pull when driving over irregular pavement. I'm running Pilot Super Sports and they are down to about 3/32 at the wear bars, and I'm assuming that is what's causing the steering issues, but the lack of tread shouldn't cause the suspension to feel so awful. I will be replacing the tires in the Spring since I've only got another month or so before the winter tires go on.

It seems crazy to think that's I've killed the suspension after only 35K, but there is definitely something going on - it doesn't feel anything like it did after the suspension mods were done. My shop has suggested TSW springs and Koni FSB shocks, which sounds like a good combination, but I'm hesitating a bit. I don't want to go with something that's going to lower the car too much (again, the roads around here...) and I don't want to make the ride more harsh than it is - I just want that tautness and great handling back. Any thoughts?

 

You may be very surprised at how worn tires can affect the handling, especially when you're reporting that the issue is magnified on rough roads. Before you go chasing the issue further, I would start with the tires.

 

Thanks for the response TimB - and I have to say that I am surprised. I rotated the tires today because the fronts were a little more worn and rounded on the edges than the backs were, and it made a noticeable difference. The car definitely feels more planted and less vague. I still think I have too much suspension travel on the bumps, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised after 35,000 miles - and most of those miles on the bone crunching Massachusetts roads.

I think I'll wait until Spring, get new tires, and think about doing struts and maybe better springs. By then the car will be about three years old with around 45- or 50K miles on it. Probably a reasonable time to consider doing struts.

 

I have often wondered what it would be like to drive my MINI in snow. Not an option here.

Good luck!

 

Shocks could help, but you can't use our TSW springs with the Koni FSDs as lowering springs will damage the FSDs.
If you want to use the TSWs go with the Koni Yellows

http://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-ye...5-r56-r57.html

 

Thanks Way - that's good to know. I'll definitely be giving you a shout in the Spring.... :-)