My wife's car is at 152k miles and we bought it at 67k miles in 2008. I don't think the shocks were replaced before we bought it so with a rough ride compaired to my R55 I'm thinking the shocks are the reason. I'd like to know how many miles factory shocks are supposed to get before replacement.

 

My guess is that your shocks are well worn out.

From what I've read, the OE MINI shocks are a weak point; they're not very good even before they're worn. Thus, some owners don't wait long before switching to Koni shocks.

You may appreciate the Koni FSD shocks; improved handling and a better ride over OE shocks.

 

85K on mine before I changed to FSDs.

 

I would suspect they would wear out quicker if you have lowering springs..

Also, not exactly sure if you can compare the ride quality of an R53 to an R55. I don't believe they use the same dampers. Also, differences in tire's (run flats vs non run flats), or wheel size will also affect ride quality. ...you may be comparing apples to oranges and hunting for something that's not there..

 

And honestly, if you don't see wet residue around the shocks nor hear clunking over bumps, then there really wouldn't be any sign of them being worn/defective.

There really is no set mileage to replace your shocks, and when they wear, the ride will not become more harsh, but rather more bouncy. The shocks themselves absorb the oscillations of the spring. You'll know a car with blown shocks when you see one- it's the car that's driving down the street that looks like it's bouncing on hydraulics from a bump it hit a block ago

Springs are what mostly determine the stiffness of the ride, and I would suspect your R53 has stiffer springs than your R55. But again, visually inspect the shocks and if there is no oily residue, nor any clunking coming from the suspension over bumps, there's no reason to suspect your shocks need replaced.

Mileage is all relative to the roads you drive on and how hard you're driving on them.

 

I got 75 or 80k from my stock shocks before one of the fronts started leaking and I had to replace them. From experience with other cars I didn't think that was too bad of a lifetime, so I didn't mind having to do it then.

 

Erik, I know that an R53 and R55 aren't the same, but comparing stock suspensions on 17's and 18's (they don't make that much of a difference) with strut bars I figured the ride wouldn't differ that much. The R55 has had H&R springs and a rear swaybar until last week and it was a smoother ride before and after going back to stock. I'll also be checking bushings as this car has seen northern winters, and driven all types of roads so I imagine that any rubber under the car is deteriorating. The R55 has 57k miles vs 152k on the R53. I know what blown shocks look, feel and sound like and there's no evidence of that. Springs handle the weight of the car whereas the shocks smooth out the movement and take out the harshness of the ride. The R53 just transmits so much of the road feel that I never realized it so much until I started going back and forth between the 2 cars. I'm certain the shocks have just surpassed their lifespan, but we'll see if replacing them does much.

Jeff & daflake, that's good info, thanks!

 

95k before i installed my coilovers and i mine were still in good shape!

 

I should add that mine were not leaking, but the ride and handling was horrible.

 

Ditto....exactly what i found when i did my swap at about 55k...funny thing is another mini driver got my shock for free that 100k and thought his car rode like new...
They were not leaking, or otherwise visually "worn", but their performance was nowhere near when i bought my car new.....
i would guess with a typical nitrogen/oil strut, the viscosity of the oil changes over time from tge sheering action related to the valving....so they can look perfect, but ride bad!!

 

Replaced mine at 85,000 miles...they were shot. It rode so hard it would make be cringe every time I saw big bump in the road. Went to Komi FSD's.....night and day difference.

 

Bought my '03 with 98k miles in March. My husband found the shocks were no good after getting under it to fix the alignment a couple weeks ago. Just ordered some new ones. Almost 103k miles now.

 

At 152k I'm willing to bet your upper strut mounts are shot as well. I did shocks, springs and mounts around 85k.

 

5500 for your wifes mcs? thats a good price!