I usually drive by myself, so I notice that when I'm driving with more people in the car, as I take off the car seems to move vertically (up/down). It's really freaky! Even if I just pull up, leave it in neutral, and have a couple of people get in, I feel some weird kind of lowering going on. I would think that the car would lower as people were getting in, but it seems like it's all being done as I get going. Does anyone know anything about this?

This is a new 2006 MCS, if that matters.

 

I am just guessing... But the more weight you have in it, the lower the car will go... Ever see a Impala with 4 fat people in it and it is dragging the muffler... Same idea, but we have better springs and struts..

 

The MINI doesn't do anything special with added weight in the car except level the headlights if you have the xenons.

 

No self leveling suspension on our MINI's. Like Yucca said, xenons level according to load. The brakes do take the weight balance into account though. EBD electronic brake force distribution.

 

I usually drive my Mini by myself most of the time. Whenever I have passengers, I feel it drives differently with the extra weight. Maybe it's just me but I think most drivers can FEEL a difference when there is something "off" with their cars.

 

MINI doesn't have hydrolic suspension like M-B S-class or other classy cars...

And I hate to carry more than 1 passenger in my car... The car feels like it is running on A/C...

 

No it's not you. The car does feel different with more weight. Less weight = more performance. Guess I better go on a diet.

 

i suppose the shocks/struts could be compressing further while driving over bumps with a 4 passenger load.