OK, I don't want to offend anyone on this, but I'm interested in possibly trying to replace my springs or shocks on my '07 Mini for something that might give it a smoother ride. I'm sorry, but I don't do any race track driving with it, and maybe I'm just getting too old but with our roads around here I'm getting tired of having my innards getting all jumbled up.

As far as I know it has the standard struts and suspension. It has 15" wheels (so it's not run flats making it rough). I do have the Sport Seats which I've heard probably don't help with this.

We have a lot of our roads are concrete and I really think the Mini's wheel base size makes it the exact length of each concrete slab segment so with their unevenness the Mini starts to oscillate between segments like riding a bucking horse.

It's making me really seriously starting to look at trading it in for something else which I really don't want to do. So I wanted to look at possibly changing it's current suspension to something softer. As I mentioned I don't do any race track driving and just occasionally do I make spirited turns at intersections so I don't know what a softer suspension would take away from that. So I'm interested in knowing if anyone else has done this or know what it would take to do this (and what was used to help for this).

Any help would be appreciated so I can keep my Mini and still be easier on my old body...

 

Look into the Koni FSD. Some people with the same complaint switched and are really happy with it.

http://www.koni-na.com/fsd.cfm

 

Thanks for the quick response. I'm starting to get information on these now. I'm hoping some others that are using these might respond just to get some additional comments on them so I appreciate the information.

Would I use these with the stock OEM springs, or is that an additional purchase needed with them?

Thanks again,

 

Also, check into some good touring tires. Maybe going with a slightly wider tire as well. On my 2005 Justa, I run 185/65R15 and some run 195/60R15. These should open you to some better "riding" tires. Easy to try and change too. Firestone stores have a 30 day drive and try on new tires.

 

They are intended for use with the OEM spring, in fact you're not suppose to use any kind of lowering spring with them.

Hopefully someone with them will chime in.

 

Avoid H&R Street Coils, the ride is a bit harsh. Just my 2 cent.

 

I have the stock springs and had the Koni FSD's installed along with a 22mm rear swaybar. The ride is considerably smoother. Wished I would have done it sooner. Made almost as much of a difference as replacing the runflats did to the overall ride.

 

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. Are the adjustable ***** accessible on the front and rear shocks? And if so, were any modifications done to make them accessible?

 

The FSD's aren't adjustable. I'll be installing a set next weekend...waiting for my spring compressor to arrive via USPS.

Rob

 

+1; If you are looking for a more streetable ride (I haul my 1 year old around in my R56) they are a great upgrade.

 

I will be installing FSDs on our Club Tech Day late next month, cannot wait!! Wanted to do some Eibach Springs as well but the drop is a bit to much, will keep searching.