What is the difference with the "sporty suspension" option on a Cooper other than the stiffer shocks/struts?
I have a 2004 non-S with a bent front left strut. It does not have the sporty shocks/struts, but I have a chance to get some. I just want to make sure they will mount up correctly.
Thanks

 

Hi,

I have an 02 Cooper that did not come with the sport suspension. I just had my springs and structs changed out this past weekend, and was able to compare my stock springs with a set of stock "sport" springs from an 05 Cooper S. The wound steel of the Cooper S springs is a bit thicker, and therefore a stiffer spring vs. my stockers.

Are you looking for stock/OEM Mini sport suspension parts? My suggestion would be to search around NAM and don't limit your opitions to
OEM sport suspension. There are several options out there to improve handling and ride quality. Personally, I recommend the Koni FSDs and H-Sport Springs. There are several on this site that have the same set up and the reviews have been awesome! I have had mine less than a week, and I believe this is how a Cooper should drive!

Good luck!

Trent

 

If you ask real nice around here though you might get the stock set-up for free or close to it from people who went aftermarket

 

thanks gang. I'm not really looking for any performance suspension necessarily, but if that's what I find, that's what I'll buy. (The car is for the wifey). I just can't pay BMW some exorbitant price for 1 strut.

I'll try a post and see if anyone has a stock strut they want to get rid of that they took off their car.

 

I believe the sporty fits all. I think they come from the copper s. When I bought my 2003 MC it had H & R stucts and springs on it, but I live in the mountains and hitting rocks became a problem, so I got the OEM struts off a guy on NAM for $90. I think they where 2004 sport. So they came off a 2004 MCS and they fit mine. I called aroung before I bought to make sure, and i called a MINI dealer and they told me they won't fit because they are different part numbers. So I called local mechanics and they all asured me they would fit.

 

There are various part numbers for both the SS and the SS+ suspensions depending on how many options were purchased. The heavier cars get the stiffer parts. I have an '02 Cooper and am looking to swap out my suspension in the next year. I'm going to try to find the parts from a bone stock S. But I haven't ruled out FSDs or JCW.

 

I have a set of springs and shocks that came off of a brand new 2006 MCS when the JCW suspension was installed. Maybe 20 miles on them. Don't know if you're interested, I've sort of been holding them to put on my Cooper one day, but who knows when that will be.