Hey guys,

Is anyone familiar with the differences between the justa's and S's suspension?

I am specifically wondering if struts from a 2013 cooper would fit on my 2008 MCS without any issue. Mine was not purchased with the sport suspension added.

Thanks!

 

I don't think there's any difference in the suspension between the two models. You can order the sport suspension for either model, but other than that, they're interchangeable.

 

That's correct. The only difference is the sport suspension, which you can get on an S or non-S.

 

Just use better after market struts.

 

My understanding is that on all second generation cars, Cooper and S suspensions are the same but the S has a 10mm (3/8") lower ride height.

 

OK, I own a '09 Cooper with regular suspension and a '011 Cooper "S" with "Sport Suspension"

The "S" rides higher by 3/8". Pretty weird, I know, but that was how it came as ordered with "Sport Suspension".

Between the 2 cars that the OP was discussing the biggest difference is the brakes (in the suspension setup) I doubt the "S" brakes would fit 15" or 16" wheels.

I hated the "Sport Suspension" so I tore it off in favor of Swift Spec-R springs and Bilstien B8's. Lowered the car 1" by doing that and the suspension was not harder riding than the "Sport Suspension". Big improvement, firm ride yes, but not as jarring. After a recent 7,000 trip no loose parts on the floor of the MINI :-)

 

I just put S brakes on my Ccoper. The stock caliper rackets for the non-s brakes were stamped TRW 15 and the S brackets were stamped TRW 16. I presume they stand for the minimum wheel size to c clear the calipers. I put them on yesterday. The will indeed fit with 16s. I am running 17s.

 

Do you think you could put the "S" brakes from a 17" wheeled MINI onto a non-"S" '09 Cooper? I have a new extra set and would like the added stopping power of those bigger calipers.

 

Yes you can definitely do it as long as they are not JCW dual piston calipers and that you have at least 16 inch wheels. I did that swap last night on my 08 Cooper. The caliper is the same, you just need the rotors and the caliper brackets. They are an easy swap.

 

Excellent! Thanks for the info. I have had the "S" brakes sitting around for 3 years since I took possession of my '011 with the JCW brake option. Now I will have a Cooper that really stops!

 

I was shipped the wrong rotors and that led to the solution of upgrading the brakes. I added ECS braided hoses and Redstuff pads. It stops great now!

 

Are the Red Stuff pads extra grippy?

 

I am about 50 miles into the break in period. They say to keep braking easy for 100 miles then a little more aggressive bedding in, then 1000 miles in they say they are ready to drop the anchor. I had Hawks that I just took off and these feel tons grippier of them. They feel modulated not overly touchy in any way.

 

Please let us know how they perform after break in with that 1K mileage.

 

I've had EBC Reds on for about 15K. I run them on the street and autocross. I love them in both applications. They are easy to modulate and have no trouble slowing the car down in both hard and soft brake pedal pushes. They also throw WAY less dust. Best pads I have ever owned.

 

Are the EBC Reds the same as "Red Stuff" that was referred to earlier? Maybe?

I have heard of the EBC pads and the idea of less dust being thrown everywhere is a big plus!

 

Yes EBC red and Redstuff are the same pads.

 

Thank you

 

Regarding the thread title, what does the sport suspension include? Is it springs, dampers, anit-roll bars?

 

It is my understanding that all three parts are "stiffer" in the sports suspension. The springs are also different depending on whether you have a pano roof.

 

I measured the "Sport Suspension" Rear Sway Bar when I removed it and it measured 19mm, which is larger than the OEM standard sway bar.

The shocks/struts are different with different part numbers.

I suspect the springs are stiffer since I have both MINI's, an '09 with standard suspension and an '011 with "Sport Suspension" and I can tell you for sure that it is way stiffer a ride than the '09 and it even rides higher.

If you have access to spring rating codes for MINI you might be able to make sense out of this code on the "Sport Suspension" springs

 

Thanks, I may do my own version of 'sport' suspension someday. Just trying to keep it stock as long as I can.

 

"S" brakes definitely fit over 16" wheels, and even a few (select) 15" wheels, depending on the attachment point of spokes to the wheel barrel.

But 16" wheels are safe, and lighter than 17" equivalents.
16" tires (205/55-16 or 225/50-16) are also cheaper than the same tire model in 17" size, and absorb road imperfections better.

For those reasons, many fast autoX guys prefer 16" wheels and tires.

a