I have a 2003 MINI Cooper S, with 72,000 miles on it. I have had it since it was new. 11 years 2 months and 4 days, but who is counting.


I am about to order my fifth set of tires. I have the 17" S lite wheels and currently Pirelli Run Flat max performance summer tires. The wear on this set has not been very even, although I thought the ride was the most comfortable of the 3 sets of run flats I have had on the car. The one set of non run flats I ran a BF Goodrich set (which were just squirrelly on grooves in the road) I hated. Plus I like having the security of being able to go where I need to if I have a flat. (which I haven't in 72,000 miles). I do not track the car, but I do love to go around corners.


Should I replace the shocks and do an alignment before I install (or while) new tires. Currently looking at trying Bridgestone Potenza runflats. If I do need shocks what is the right shock for the sport suspension?


Thanks in advance.


jc

 

Strongly recommend KONI FSD dampers. They are on super sale now at motoringwerks.com for near half price. Also, while the wee laddie is on the lift is a good time to add a 22 MM rear sway bar. You won't believe what a difference those two mods will make to handling. They are hands down the best mods for the money you can make on a MINI.


PS: Yea, at 72K miles you probably do need to replace them.

 

I recommend checking your front wheel control arm bushings with a tire kick test. If they move, the bushings are likely shot and could be the source of the uneven tire wear. At least, that was my experience.

For the record, I have almost 110K on my car and although I bought it used at about 57K, I'm pretty sure I'm on original shocks and definitely stock. My mechanic told me not to bother changing the shocks unless a problem developed. I'm sure the Konis are great, just check the bushings first.

 

+1
Didn't give that a thought, just got all excited about new dampers and RSB.

 

I have read the Konis make for a very stiff ride. How are the Bilsteins?








Any thoughts?


jc

 

Koni fsd's are the "comfort with performance" strut/shock....koni yellow struts are performance, and stiff...bilsteins are pretty rare on a mini....a few reports said they were VERY STIFF....
my guess...you control arm bushings are likely worn..Polly ones will last forever, rubber about 36-75,000 miles....when worn they let the front wander a bit....thus the tramlining...and struts at 70k, 10+ years are pretty gone too....

 

So consensus is that I need this stuff from motoringwerks.com?



MINI Cooper R50/R52/R53 Koni FSD Shocks

MINI Cooper Alta Adjustable Rear Sway Bars-MINI Cooper Alta Rear Sway Bar 22mm Adj

 

anything else?

 

Did mine at 60k and wish I did it sooner.

 

Ditto except I wish I done mine sooner than him.

 

Control Arm bushing too!

 

Which ones on the control arm bushing? Any other little bits that I am going to say, "damn I need that too"?





MINI Cooper Eibach Rear Control Arms



MINI Cooper Alta Adjustable Rear Control Arms

MINI Cooper NM Eng Titatium Adjustable Control Arms

MINI Cooper Hotchkis H-Sport 2-Piece Rear Control Arms

 

None of the above....
They can be bought pre-pressed or you can reuse yours....they are kinda a pain to change...front end...where the front subframe and the main part of the body meets on the underside of the car...about a foot back or so from the wheels....these are almost certainly bad...those and struts...the rear sway bar is optional, but a nice change IMO.

 

I also did the Koni FSD shocks and the Alta 22 mm rear sway bar to my 2005 Mini S. For good measure I mounted some Bridgestone RE-11A tires on stock rims.

Now my Mini is more fun to drive around town than the Porsche. Seriously!!!

 

Go Powerflex (not OEM) for control arm & sway bar bushings. Get new Genuine or Lemforder ball joints & strut mounts.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/powerfl...shing-kit.html