I really didn't want to make a thread for this, but couldn't find an appropriate thread to add it into.

I just bought a 2006 MCS with 71,000 miles. My car has the "Sport Package" and on the bill sheet from the original owner is also lists "Sport Suspension Plus." From the pictures I'm looking at online, my Mini appears to sit lower than other stock Minis, especially in the rear. The car has 71,xxx miles and I'm trying to figure out if my suspension is sagging and needs replacement or if it's supposed to be that way. It rides really nice from what I can tell, and it has stock size tires (Continental DWS) on it 205/45/17. I'm a bit concerned because while I was researching the Mini I kept reading how harsh the ride in the R53's is, but it seems a little soft to me to be honest.

Can someone take a look at this picture and tell me if everything looks normal? Thanks!

 

I'm assuming your comparing to other 06s...but just in case, '07s and up have a much bigger (hideous) stock wheel gap.

Hope that helps. In any case, congrats on the purchase!

 

Looks normal to me...and your 06 is identical to our 05!

 

Thanks for the input.

It seems there is a little bit of "reverse rake" (rear end lower than the front) which I'm not accustomed to seeing, so I guess it's throwing off my perception a little.

 

I have sport suspension plus on my 05 and yours looks just a bit lower than mine, not by much, I would check to see if you still have the original springs, if the car feels fine I wouldn't worry about it. The DSW's make the ride smother, if you were to have run flats you would have committed suicide lol, I got rid of them a month after I got the car, if you want the ride to be more comfy add Koni FSD's..
Seat an adult in the rear seat then drive thru rough streets and see if the passenger feels more than what it should, that will give you a good idea of the condition of the rear shocks.

 

[QUOTE=minibx;3867416]Seat an adult in the rear seat then drive thru rough streets...QUOTE]

lolol...I wouldn't do this to my worst enemy

 

Lol I know, but it works I did this before going to FSD's that's how I knew that my rear shock weren't good anymore but they weren't sagging.

 

Yea looks right to me, motor on,

 

Looks too high compared to the 06 below.

 

Coils are in the plan, but not THAT low, haha!

 

Can you check the springs to see if they are aftermarket?

 

To me the rear does seem to be squatting a little, but you also haven't parked it on a flat surface. You have to park it on a plane without slope to really see where your suspension is sitting.

 

I'll check the springs this weekend.

The surface is pretty flat, not 100% perfect, but pretty close.

 

Its normal. They all have that reverse rake from the factory. Most BMW's do too.

 

That looks like my '06 did before I replaced the springs and struts. They were not worn out and sit a tiny bit lower in the rear. I now have JCW springs and Koni FSD shocks (4+ years with them) and my car still sits a tiny bit lower in the rear. It's just the way it was setup from the factory.