Hi all,

It's been a while since i've checked in but now have some time and been driving the MCS more. What I have found is that now after some time I still feel that my Dinan suspension is just a bit too stiff for everyday around town use. Don't get me wrong - i absolutely love it in the twisty canyons but around town with with passengers i always get comments that it rides really firm. And yes, i have the konis set to the softest setting.

So my question is - is it the springs? or is it the shocks? And does anyone have any recommendations for me? Initially i had thought that maybe i could keep the springs and go to the Koni FSD system? or maybe something else. I still want good control and handling for the fun stuff but also want to have a smoother everyday around town ride. Thoughts? Thanks in advance. TW

 

I think the solution is clear. Don't carry passengers. Or, if you must, tell them to stop whining.

 

What's your frame of reference? How long were you running stock, if at all, and is the Dinan / Koni combo significantly harsher than that? How is it too stiff? I've never had my Yellows at full soft, but is it possible they're overdampening – have you tried firming them up a full turn just for kicks? A lot of people are happy with the FSDs as I'm sure you've read, but according to Koni, only supposed to be used with a stock height spring.

What size wheels are you using? Run-flat tires? Sure the Yellows are on full soft and not firm? Don't see too many people complaining of a spring / Yellow combo (on full soft) being too firm, so just poking in the dark for possible solutions. I've never read anything to indicate that the Dinan springs are super stiff. Let others chime in though.

 

Well, reference from the stock setup which I ran for about a year or a bit more (the MINI isn't the primary daily driver). To me, yes it's harsh given the short wheelbase and all. I have had a Dinan setup on all my BMW's in the past and although they are firm they weren't harsh or bouncy - again i suspect it's due to the shorter wheelbase. I have turned them a bit either way but i personally don't seem to see much difference in full firm vs. soft settings but who knows for sure. Maybe it's overdampening like you say.

Has anyone run the FSD's without the stock springs? I know that Koni doesn't recommend it but has it been done and if so does it work okay?

In terms of wheel & tire - 17" S-lites non-run flat - Mich Pilot Exaltos - got rid of the runflats within the first week. I guess i'd just like it to be a bit more compliant for the around town rough pavement (which i experience a lot of). TIA,

 

Talked to a guy that had been through a bunch of suspension set ups, including both OEM and H-Sport springs with FSDs, He had ended up on the Dinan springs and Konis and was very happy. He was an experienced competitive driver and used his Mini both as a daily driver and track car.

 

If I were you I would put the Koni settings back where Dinan set them. The springs are tuned to be with the Koni's at that setting (middle). Running them soft you are allowing the springs to bounce you around.

For me, the Dinan setup is superior to anything esle that I have run. I did run FSD's with stock springs & H-Sports. The yellows are better (IMHO). The FSD's just do not have the 'guts' to keep the MINI smooth.

Part of the problem with the MINI suspension is that there just is too little travel. That combined with the short wheel base and light weight and you get a bouncy ride.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

Thanks Mike, appreciate the insight - I'll give that a try again.

 

When I got my Dinan Stage 1 suspension in, I thought the ride was a lot more comfortable than with my stock ones. I still have runflats on, but the dinan suspension is at least making it such that I can live with the runflats until I wear them out.

 

Two or three things:

Yeah, I'm thinking a lot of the problem is probably the short wheelbase.. With all of us complaining about a harsh ride.

People have run the FSDs with lowering springs, and plenty of people still swear it's fine. Other people have had their FSDs blow prematurely.. Which is probably the statistical chance you take. (Other people question how well the FSDs work with progressive springs, which most of the aftermarket are... Are the Dinan? Don't remember.)

Oh, and there's definitely a difference between full soft and firm. I started my Yellows at firm all around... Cuh-razy. My rear is still at 1/2 turn from firm, and not sure if it's totally livable yet. There have been a few helpful posts from respectable people on here giving the "useable" range of the Yellows, and it didn't include either far end of the spectrum.

Going to a smaller wheel would of course be another option. It's a big improvement ride quality-wise when I go from my 16" summers to my 15" winters.

 

I bet the shocks are set too stiff... there should be a significant difference between the softest and stiffest setting...