Been reading a lot about the FSDs and people raving about comfort but not handling. Do these shocks improve the handling very significantly or are they mainly designed for comfort?

 

Springs and anti roll bars control body roll, shocks control the RATE of roll or weight transfer.

The FSD is a good shock, but it is not acceptable for use with lowering springs. What do you want out of the car?

I've got the Koni sport shock with the TSW springs. It's a great suspension. Control, but not harsh. A small drop, but nothing to ever worry about as far as speed bumps or driveways. (you know, the real world...lol)

 

I installed FSD's with JCW Springs(1/2" drop) last year on my JCW R52 and have enjoyed the results. I was seeking an increase in comfort and performance and feel like I got both. I did install IE fixed camber plates at the same time so it is hard for me to say how much performance credit should be given to the FSD or the JCW springs or the IE's. I also had to go with Hsport lower control arms to dial in my alignment to my desired specs. I am happy with the comfort and it handles like a dream. I did not consider Bilsteins but I have a friend who went this result with great success as well.

 

I wanted to smooth out the ride as it's my daily driver. I love the handling and braking of my 2007 Mini Cooper S but the ride is harsh. I guess I would enjoy a little less body roll when cornering too! I tried non run flats but I really didn't like the feel of the soft sidewalls (felt so mushy to me) so the tire shop replaced them with Pirelli run flats. I would pass on the Koni FSD shocks if they removed the harshness but, at the same time, reduce the go kart feel. BTW, I don't really want to lower the mini - an inch would be the very most, if at all.

 

I have been running my FSD's for well over a year now.

This is what I will say about them

1) Performance is not negatively impacted. The car does not get stiffer in the corners, and you may actually get the sensation that there is more body roll when you first enter a corner, but give the shocks a second (less than that) to do their job and the car flattens out and grips hard.

2) This setup is way more comfortable than stock.

3) The biggest increase in "performance" from these shocks comes from increased confidence and control on uneven roads. Where a stock MINI would be bouncing all over the place , the MINI with FSDs is far more controlled and easy to keep in a straight line.

4)Because of this, I would bet anything that a MINI with FSDs would outperform a stock MINI on any track with a less than perfect surface (which translates nicely to real-world performance gains)

5) There are other setups that can give you lower ride height, better ride, and increased performance. Consider these options if you want to go lower, because they will still be more comfortable than stock but offer better performance. They will still not be as comfortable as FSD's though (from my experience).

 

+1 for the smooth out the ride!

2011 MCS w/Sport Suspension rode like a brick, but is MUCH better with the FSD's. Stays where you aim it on uneven surfaces.

 

+1 for FSD struts, and for handling, add a 19 or 22 MM rear sway bar of your choice. You will be amazed by the difference.

 

As a side note on the Koni shocks/struts. They have an excellent warranty. I had the front two fail and it was a manufacturing glitch in spring position. Created a clunking noise after a month of driving and no matter what I did the clunk would not go away. Sent them back to Koni and they were replaced at no charge!

 

Hi Richard,

Have you tried the Koni FSD's to compare the with your Koni Sports with TSW springs?

Rob

 

Smog, just caught your post. Could you describe your "clunk"? Have had FSDs on my 2011 JCW (love them) for about a year and I am noticing a clunk, not loud, but noticeable, when I turn the wheel when making a turn down a steep driveway and hit the street or when backing up cranking the wheel and hitting a bump. My suspension guy gave it a once over and could find no obvious problems with the suspension. He did hear the noise on a test drive. He retorqued my IE camber plates and thought he solved the problem, but it's still there.

Dave

 

David:

The clunk occurred when I was driving over bumps, humps and driveways where the suspension was extended. Backing over a speed bump was the first time I heard it. I have small speed bumps in front of my garage door to keep people from hitting the door when turning around in my driveway so when I backed out of my garage one day the clunk made itself known.

I tried everything to get rid of the clunk and gave up and put the OEM Sport Suspension shocks back in and the clunk vanished. So, apparently it was not my installation technique!

I just finished installing the new/replacements from Koni today and took it for a spin. No clunk yet, but give it a month to see what happens. I hope I do not have to replace them again!!! I do not think I would do it again...