Is it me or do the gen. 2 models, including sport suspension S Coopers sit awfully high on their suspensions? MY stock 03 S looks positively slammed by comparison.

Ulrich

 

It has been discussed a time or two. Some folks like it, some folks live with it, some folks fix it.

 

I hadn't noticed it until a few days ago. We had both the wife's 2006 MCS and my new 2008 MCS sitting in the garage together. Both are stock. I noticed that my 2008 sits about 3" higher. I'm not disappointed, just noted the difference.

 

Does it actually sit higher, or does it just appear to sit higher. It was my understanding that whilke adjustments were made to the design (higher front and beltline, higher wheel arches, etc.), the R56 is ever so slightly lower than the R53 overall.

 

I don't think the roof is any higher between R53 and R56. According to MINIUSA and the brochures the R56 MCS sits at 55.4" high, which IIRC is the same as the R53, or at least within a few tenths. What is measurably higher are the wheel arches. The apex of the arches are about 0.8" higher, and the belt line of the car is about 0.7" higher. I'm not sure how much higher the "snout" of the bonnet is, but it is significantly higher than the old gen.

Here's a dramatic picture: my R53 is 2.9" lower than stock, and the R56 is bone-stock suspension with the JCW body kit.

 

That would be an interesting shot to compare heights with a non-lowered 53.

 

Mine's a rally car.

 

I swear my R50 Cooper and my R56 Cooper are parked side by side all...the...time, and as much effort as I've spent trying to figure the whole thing out, I've just given up and enjoy each for what it is. Not to say that I don't think R56 could benefit appearance-wise from being lowered...it's just for a daily driver the height is right for me (I have to avoid scraping in certain situations as it is) and when I just sit and look at my car...hey, I like it!!! Comparing is natural, I think, but in excess it'll make you !!!

 

Oh I'm not trying to look for things to complain about as I love my 56. I respect both models but just liked that particular photo to show both looks. Just not one I see too often.