I'm thinking of ordering a new Mini Cooper the end of this year. Since today is a holiday and the Handler is closed, I thought I would ask the questions I have in this Forum.

The car would be a European version but appearantly Mexico doesn't have the Start/Stop feature which is standard here in Germany. I'm not certain if the US has this but I was wondering if it something which can be easily programmed or if additional equipment is needed.

Does the optional Sports Suspension lower the car at all? If so, by how much? I have read that the H&R Coilovers lower the car even if they are set at their highest level. If this is true, and the Sports Suspension is lower than the standard springs, how much lower would the car be? The John Cooper Works suspension is available but I have been unable to find out how much this lowers the car, what size the sway bars are and who makes the shocks.
I don't like to lower my car much over 15mm but I always know what my starting point is.

What size are the JCW brakes?

Is there a spare tire and change kit available? I have read that a Run-Flat tire can weigh 2Kg more than a normal tire. I know the spare would add this back to the car but it would be sprung weight distributed at the rear.

Where can I find the aerodynamic lift at the rear of the car at different speeds with and without the optional spoiler?

Thanks.

 

I'm thinking of ordering a new Mini Cooper the end of this year. Since today is a holiday and the Handler is closed, I thought I would ask the questions I have in this Forum.

The car would be a European version but appearantly Mexico doesn't have the Start/Stop feature which is standard here in Germany. I'm not certain if the US has this but I was wondering if it something which can be easily programmed or if additional equipment is needed.

I think the start stop is unique to Euro market and not a programmable feature.

Does the optional Sports Suspension lower the car at all? If so, by how much? I have read that the H&R Coilovers lower the car even if they are set at their highest level. If this is true, and the Sports Suspension is lower than the standard springs, how much lower would the car be? The John Cooper Works suspension is available but I have been unable to find out how much this lowers the car, what size the sway bars are and who makes the shocks.
I don't like to lower my car much over 15mm but I always know what my starting point is.

OEM Sports suspension does not lower the car.

What size are the JCW brakes?

Don't rightly know. Hope someone else can chime in for you.

Is there a spare tire and change kit available? I have read that a Run-Flat tire can weigh 2Kg more than a normal tire. I know the spare would add this back to the car but it would be sprung weight distributed at the rear.

MCS' do not have spares - no place to put them unless you drop your back seat. Runflats and most of the OEM wheels are heavy. Some people tend to buy a lighter set of wheels/tire packages once the first set are run down. Due to the weight of the runflats the trend is to purchase regular tires and get a tire repair kit and pump. MINI also sells these, I think.

The regular MINI Cooper can be had with Runflats or not. I think they are optional. I heard if you buy runflats you don't get a spare but I don't know if thats true. Most people tend to shy away from the heavy runflats and wheels bigger than 16".

Where can I find the aerodynamic lift at the rear of the car at different speeds with and without the optional spoiler?

Good question. Don't know, although I have heard speeds below 45 mph are negligible aerodynamically.

Thanks.

 

Thanks for your information.