For a bit of background, I don't know too much about MINIs or cars in general, although I do want to learn more about both.

I own an R50 that just eclipsed 92K miles. I had it checked out soon after I bought it back in August (probably should have done that before, but whatever), and mechanic never pointed out anything about the suspension, so I figured everything was OK.

That said, having driven the car for a while, I'm not entirely pleased with it

Based on the receipt, the original owner got the sport suspension. EDIT: This is actually incorrect. My bad.

What I do know is that while the car handles really well, it's a bumpy ride. On the highway where the roads are smooth and I can just zip around curves at high speeds, it's a joy, but some of the more residential roads in my area can be pretty bumpy, and my MINI doesn't handle it well. Certain neighborhoods in the area have roads in really poor condition, and the ride is so rough I try to find routes around those areas. I feel like I'm being thrown around to an extent, and it's also pretty noisy to listen to unless the radio is on. The sound and feeling makes me cringe every time.

I was in my friend's Civic and noticed how his car pretty much "glides" over most bumps. You can feel it, sure, but it's not abrupt and it's not noisy. Going over railroad tracks for example is hell in my MINI, but was pretty tolerable in his car.

Essentially, I'd like my MINI to ride more like his Civic. However, I'm not sure what goes in to this. I've seen suspension "kits" on some sites for ~$1-1.5K. I'm not averse to spending that much, but not if it's overkill. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised at 92K miles that the suspension isn't in top shape -- please correct me if that's an unfair assumption.

I was told that better handling comes at the price of a rougher ride. I don't know if there's truth to that or not. Can I have the best of both worlds, or a reasonable compromise?

Also, I've noticed a slightly left/right wobble to the car that wasn't present when I first got it. Maybe that's me being paranoid, I don't know. Is this the kind of problem that could be a dozen different things? Since it seems like more of an immediate problem, I'll have him check it out either way.

Lastly, I wanted to know how DIY-able the work needed to be done is. For me, it's less about being a cheapskate and more about getting more in touch with my car. I can follow instructions, I'm pretty good at figuring out how things operate if I can see and work with them, and I'd love to expand the number of tools I own, so long as they aren't crazy expensive. I enjoyed replacing my door brake about a month back, and I like the idea of taking on something a little more complex if it's reasonable. But, if this is something where a lack of professional knowledge and really mess me up, then I'll go to a mechanic to have whatever installed.

I hope this isn't too vague. I've done a small amount of research but there's way too much going on on these boards to truly absorb what I need to know in my case. I just need some general advice so I can narrow down what to research and what to purchase.

 

Might want to consider a few things. Replacing shocks with Koni FSDs - that transformed the ride for me. Is a little more forgiving in the city. For wobble perhaps ask your mechanic if lower control arm poly bushings might help - your bushings at 92k might be fried. While in there can replace the FSB bushings as well with poly bushings. Just a thought. Cheers!

 

Thanks for your advice. I was actually just looking at the Koni FSDs after running into them after searching for Koni Yellows, which seem to be pretty popular. FSDs specifically state they're for a smoother ride so looks like what I want. Hopefully it won't affect the handling in such a way that I'm disappointed with it. But I think I'd prefer a nicer ride than handling.

 

Handling won't be compromised. Before I had installed them, if I hit a bump in the apex Cary would skip laterally - heart thumping at times. after the Konis were installed, that all but disappeared. The ride was transformed. Very predictable and forgiving and I have complete confidence in them. The ride will be firm, but comfortable. The FSDs stiffen under load so you always feel planted. Get your MINI a new set of "shoes" and you'll love it even more. Read up on FSDs and the reviews. They are all pretty much bang on. Just keep in mind they are not meant for lowering. If you want to lower/have adjustability, yellows are the way to go. If you never intend to lower, FSDs are great. Motor on!

 

Awesome.

Do I need to replace my springs along with it? Problem is that I can't find stock height springs or OEM springs to save my life. I'm Google'ing it but not really getting anything.

 

FSD's are designed to be used with stock springs.

 

Right, but my question is if I still needed to purchase new OEM springs or new springs that matched the height of OEM springs... Based on my research it would seem that springs should last a long time and I probably wouldn't need to replace them? (I guess maybe that's why I don't really see stock height or OEM springs for sale anywhere?)

 

What tires are you running?

 

Ive got OEM 2006 R53 sport springs with ~45k on them.. not 100% if they would match up to an R50 or not but let me know if you're interested.

 

I'd have to look; all I know is that they're some kind of mud&snows. Not sure of the brand but off the top of my head it's something obvious like Goodyear or Firestone. Doesn't really make sense to take off the snow tires now that it's approaching winter.

I'll probably be looking into getting tires of my choice when Spring comes around. Any suggestions for what I should get?

 

If you have M&S tires for winter, consider the Continental ExtremeContact DW
summer tires this spring. Very good grip, especially in the wet, light, and good
ride comfort. Only downside is a little less steering response than most high
performance summer tires, and of course, worthless in snow, ice, slush, and
sub-freezing temperatures.

If you have stock springs already on the MINI, you don't need to replace them
to run FSD shocks.

If you have lower aftermarket springs, you'd have to replace them with the stock
oem springs to run FSD shocks, as they are not designed to run on lowered springs
(can order oem springs at the dealer matched to your vehicle's weight based on
what options it came with). I don't think anyone makes aftermarket stock ride height
springs.

 

I imagine I still have the stock springs, everything on the car is pretty much stock AFAIK. Unless the factory sport suspension package for the R50 has a lower spring height than otherwise...

Problem is, if I need springs, I can't even find OEM springs online anywhere... This is a really newb question, but would the dealership sell me those parts (without doing any work on the car)?

 

Looks like many others have already offered some insights and suggestions.

What I'd say is:

a. MINIs are intended to be great handling, firm-riding vehicles.
b. Having said that, you can certainly repair or modify your MINI to provide as smooth / less-bumpy a ride as it can manage, within its overall intent.

1. Certainly, inspect or replace worn parts; with that many miles, and years, control arm bushings and sway bar bushings might easily be worn and need replacing.

2. If you're using run-flat tires, replacing them with non-run-flats, with their more flexible sidewalls, will reduce suspension harshness. Often, too, you can alter the profile or size "a bit" to help. For example, 215/45-17 tires versus 205/45-17, or 195/60-16 versus 195/55-16. The aim is to provide a bit more sidewall profile that can "flex" a bit more over small impacts, without substantial changes in overall circumferance and speedometer accuracy.

3. MINI Sport Suspension is a firmer-riding choice versus stock, as generally perceived. Stock / standard springs would likely be less stiff, and provide a smoother ride. You could source a set of standard springs and substitute those for your originals. They're not a lot of additional work to replace, if you're also replacing the shock/struts.

4. KONI FSD shocks have received very good reviews for smoothing out the ride on MINIs, and seem to be a good choice.

5. You asked about the DIY aspect of this...I think suspension work, especially on older vehicles, is the pits. It involves a lot of parts that can be difficult to separate, while lying on your back under the car on a cold garage floor, and usually benefit from having air tools at hand to help. I avoid it when I can, but that's just me.

 

Yeah I probably won't DIY this... As intrigued as I am with the thought of seeing for myself how everything is assembled, it would probably go wrong and is probably too big of a leap in terms of difficulty from replacing the door break or installing a head unit, and I would probably always be worried I screwed something up. And I'd probably screw something up.

 

I never did any suspension work before I installed my coilovers. If you're careful, do some in depth reading beforehand, and take your time to make sure you've done everything right, its not particularly hard. To be completely honest, depending on your budget a set of coilovers may give you the ride you want. Before I slammed my VMAXX they rode WORLDS better than stock. Even with them close to all the way down, they still ride better than stock.

 

Factory sport suspension package has the same ride height as standard package.
Sounds like you don't need springs (the stock ones rarely break or sag,
they seem to last almost forever unless something bad happens to them).
If you do need new oem springs, yes, the dealership can order and sell you a set of oem springs.
There are 3 different standard sets (sport suspension) and 3 different
performance sets (sport suspension plus - same spring rate as the MCS R53 models)
the difference between the sets is to match stock ride height
to the weight of the various options you have (sunroof, spare tire, transmission type, a/c, etc).
The dealer can input your VIN and tell which springs are correct for your particular MINI.

Here's an old thread that goes over the vagaries if you're interested:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...etk-table.html

Here's the current numbers for USA models from 3/2002 - 2006

MC with SS
Front 31-33-6-769-382 or -383 or -384
Rear 33-53-6-763-280 or -659

MC with SS+
Front 31 33 6 769 387 or 388 or 389
Rear 33 53 6 763 282 or 283 or 284

MCS (with SS+)
Front 31 33 6 769 388 or 389
Rear 33 53 6 763 284 or 379

 

Sorry to go off topic but I've got the Continental DWS and have noticed a loss in grip as the temperatures have been dropping...so reading this post I'm getting slightly concerned...should I go for a set of winter tires...? I live in the midwest.

 

I have no idea what coilovers are. Does my stock R50 already have them? Can I get them in addition to shocks? Would I want to?

 

The DW is a summer performance tire, the DWS is an all season tire.

Briefly, coilovers are an integrated shock and spring assembly with adjustable
perches to vary the ride height to your needs (usually lowers between about 1 and 2.5 inches).
They replace conventional shocks and springs.

 

Coilovers are a coil spring over shock assembly. You would get a matching pair of shocks (struts) and springs with them. They are all height adjutable, with most offering adjustable damping and adjustable front camber and some offering adjustable spring preload. The stock rear spring/strut assembly in the rear is actually a coilover but it is not adjustable whereas the stock front is a macpherson strut setup.

My VMAXX are at the bottom of the food chain, offering merely height adjustability, but they only cost me $600 which is about the same price if not cheaper than replacing the springs/struts, and allow me to raise/lower my ride height as I see fit.

Where are you located, if you don't mind my asking. I could help you with the installation of whatever you choose if you're anywhere close to me. If not, there may be other NAMers near you willing to help.

 

I see. Based on my research it would appear that coilovers are geared toward handling rather than what I'm primarily interested in. If there are coilovers that rival the FSDs then I'm for them... Bit otherwise it seems like FSDs are exactly what I'm looking for.

 

I'm in the eastside of Cleveland, specifically South Euclid. If you know Beachwood mall those are my approximate whereabouts.

 

I'm no suspension wizard so I'm not sure if this is right or not, but I believe due to the matched spring/shock combo coilovers are able to give a better ride with improved handling. They really do ride much better than stock.

 

Ah you're same state but the opposite side. I'm near Dayton.

 

That's fine. There's a NE Ohio group, maybe I can find some interested parties there.