Hi!

I am new to NA Motoring and would like to get some responses to my following question.

Does anyone know the difference between the 2005 MC and 2005 MCS suspension parts (front and rear sway bars, front and rear shocks and struts and front and rear springs)?

Are the sway bars larger on the MCS?
Are the springs stiffer and do they lower the car anymore?
The shocks and struts are firmer?

Also, does anyone have instructions to change the front sway bar?

Thanks,

DJBKH

 

Does anyone know the difference between the 2005 MC and 2005 MCS suspension parts (front and rear sway bars, front and rear shocks and struts and front and rear springs)?

I know that there was a difference between 2003 Coopers and Cooper S' in Canada. I think such is the case in the US. The 2003 Cooper S that I got my rear sway bar and springs from had a sport package. The service manager at my local dealership told me that there were 4 different spring rates used in 2003. One for the Cooper, one for the Cooper with the Sport package, one for the S, and one for the S with the Sport package.

Are the sway bars larger on the MCS?

Yes. I couldn't tell you for certain how much larger, but the difference can be felt immediately. I'm sure the aftermarket bars are far stiffer, but in a Cooper, I like the S bar just fine.

Are the springs stiffer and do they lower the car anymore?

Yes, they are stiffer. Not much, maybe 1/2" lower.

The shocks and struts are firmer?

Both are the same, shock and strut. No difference between the Cooper and Cooper S struts.

Also, does anyone have instructions to change the front sway bar?

http://store.webbmotorsports.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4

I haven't done it myself, but I'm sure Webb Motorsports have done many. Their site has lots of DIY instructions, most are for Cooper S', but number of mods apply to either.

Hope that helps,

B

 

You added more data to help me out.

 

I just changed out my front swaybar this weekend. I used the Webb instructions and found them to be very good. The only thing that I would add to them is that you will probably have to move the three piece steering column seal (It is a white ring, black rubber boot and a black rubber seal) back into place after dropping the subframe. Mine was way out of place when I was done, allowing a ton of road and engione noise into the car. It was so loud it almost sounded like something was broken.

Also, give yourself plenty of time. I would say 4 hours minimum for your first try.

 

Here's a parts summary for SS (Sport Suspension - standard on MC)
vs. SS+ (Sport suspension plus - optional of MC, standard on MCS):

Front Bar:
Cooper with SS 22.5mm part# 31 35 6 757 072 w/ bushing 31 35 6 757 146
Cooper or MCS with SS+ 24mm 31 35 6 758 301 w/ bushing 31 35 6 758 302

Rear Bar:
Cooper with SS 16mm 33 55 6 754 818
Cooper or MCS with SS+ 17mm 33 55 6 754 819
same bushing for SS and SS+ rear bars

Struts:

Cooper with SS 31 30 6 759 245/246 (F=...245/R=...246)
Cooper or MSC with SS+ 31 30 6 759 247/248 (F=...247/R=248)

Springs

For the Cooper with SS : (choice depends on vehicle weight with options chosen)

31-33-6-756-645 or -646 or -647 front
33-53-6-756-657 or -658 or -659 rear (in usa only -658 or -659)

For the Cooper with SS+ : (choice depends on vehicle weight with options chosen)

31-36-6-758-310 or -311 or -312 front
33-53-6-758-354 or -355 or -356 rear

For the Cooper S : (choice depends on vehicle weight with options chosen)

31-36-6-758-311 or -312 front
33-53-6-758-356 or 379 rear

 

I have my 2005 MCS suspension for sale (Struts, Springs and rear sway bar).
It only has ~4000 miles on it.