Hey Folks, This is my first post and need some info. Is the sport suspension very stiff as compared to the S regular suspension. I have a chance to buy a new MCS due to arrive in late May. The unit is pretty much loaded and with the Sport Suspension with the 17" run flats. I've been told that the S with the Sport Suspension on any road that's not real smooth, you tend to feel every bump. I'm 55 years young and looking forward to getting a MCS. :smile:

 

Aloha, and welcome to MCO!

I do believe the suspension on the MCS is the same regardless of the Sport Package.....the Sport Suspension Plus.
The Sport Pak. does come with 17" wheels and run-flats. The general consensus is the tires' ride is a bit harsh but can be remedied with regular performance tires.
Just remember to bring a can of fix-a-flat and a cell phone....the "S" doesn't have a spare tire.

MINI never advertised the car to be plush, but rather a "street legal Go-Kart". So, IMO, the sporty ride is to be expected but can be tolerable with regular performance tires.

Happy Motorin' when you get your MCS!!

 

I drive on cobblestone every day in Germany, I don't feel like I'm riding on solid rubber tires or in a '57 Chevy pickup. I think the feel transmited to the car from the road is one of the good points of the suspension, it's the difference between Motering and Driving.

 

>>I drive on cobblestone every day in Germany, I don't feel like I'm riding on solid rubber tires or in a '57 Chevy pickup. I think the feel transmited to the car from the road is one of the good points of the suspension, it's the difference between Motering and Driving.

I agree, the ride is downright luxurious, on a nice smooth stretch of asphalt. If the asphalt is not smooth you feel it. Can't say it is a jarring ride, but you feel it. I think the car transmits the road to you in such a way that you know it is rough, but I don't mind. We drove almost 800 miles around the two lane roads of arkansas weekend before last and, my wife was actually able to sleep in the car while I drove some rough mountain roads like a madman. Again, this doesn't completely testify to the smooth ride, but my wife's amazing ability to sleep in the car!

Anyway, the ride is very nice, but you will be aware of the condition of the road.

jc

 

S suspension is deffinatly stiffer, but not painful, Wish I would have gotten SS+ on the Cooper Oh and I am 42 yrs young.

 

The MINI indeed handles like a go cart, and can take turns a lot harder and faster than most, but the trade off is that if you run over a quarter, you can tell if tis heads or tails

 

I'm 52 and find the bumps are tolerable. If I want a soft cushy ride I take my Land Rover Disco.

If I want the ear-to-ear grin and the pure fun of driving, I take the MCS. It's worth it.

Order the heated seats, that way if your butt does get stiff, you can use the heated seats as a heating pad.



_________________
MINI Cooper S: IB/blk with stripes. Ordered 9/9/02. Built Feb 5, 2003. Got it on March 10th. Now the fun begins.
Princeton MINI, NJ.

 

As others have posted, it really is a nice jostle. It doesn't feel cheap or floopy. Actually, it feels rather like the car jostles with you, rather than around you. And I've never heard any superfluous squeaks or rattles as a result. Just a nice awareness of the road.

It's dreamy.

~Kelley

 

Thanks for the info on the sports suspention. It's going to be just fine. 2003MCS should be here this time next month. YeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaa

 

>>The MINI indeed handles like a go cart, and can take turns a lot harder and faster than most, but the trade off is that if you run over a quarter, you can tell if tis heads or tails <<

Great line-hadn't heard that one! Reminds me of the fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson- The Princess and the Pea.

 

Is the cause of the "stiff" ride the tires or the whole suspension sytem all together. And if I were to purchase regular performance tires in the future, there's no where to place a spare. Sorry, I haven't received my MCS yet...please help

 

Pooky

both, the runflats have a stiffer sidewall than regular tires, and the suspension is stiff, too.

Again, I don't have a problem with it. I guess if I did all my driving on badly potholed roads I would have a different opinion. I bought my S for drives in the country, so I don't seek out rough roads. I do not have to drive my S for daily driving.

jc