ease up selektah!
if you are that concerned with your suspension for auto x or racing,
wouldn't you probably be upgrading it anyway?

 

I am thoroughly dissapointed in the degree of stupidity the american public can show, labeling a stiff ride (read: not exactly HARSH) as a problem. A ride would be harsh if you were to feel every damn nickel on the road which isn't the case. IMO the shock oil weight and rebound are simply set to perfect b/c when the road gets rough it starts to react perfectly keeping all fours grounded!!! What hte hell happens to a cadillac when there are rugged streets and you try to turn? It doesn't turn damn it. Then we have here BMW/MINI agreeing with these morons!! I just cannot stand the contradictions anymore in this country, i just cannot.

 

Just 'cause it doesn't seem clear to all here... the "fluid" is not something you can change like oil or coolant. Rather, it's the viscous fluid ("oil&quot sealed inside of the shock/strut. Different fluids have different properties, but you can't change the fluid without substituting an entirely different shock.

This, btw, is all the more reason why it's suprising that BMW would use a different -- softer -- strut for just US-spec cars. This implies that they've specified an entirely different part and perhaps a different source. At one level, it's an amazing response to perceived customer input. At another level, it's really stupid to make this expensive a change to actually make a car WORSE. But of course, "worse" is just our opinion. Again we need to remember that MCO represents just a fraction of MINI owners. Maybe the vast majority of MINI owners WANT mushy suspensions and big gulp cup holders.

 

Hopefully some official light will shine upon this issue and concerns can be handled.

 

>>This, btw, is all the more reason why it's suprising that BMW would use a different -- softer -- strut for just US-spec cars. This implies that they've specified an entirely different part and perhaps a different source. At one level, it's an amazing response to perceived customer input. At another level, it's really stupid to make this expensive a change to actually make a car WORSE.

I believe this has been done by german automakers before. VW soften the ride in the for the B5 VW passat because of the "harsh american roads" I've driven over 2000km on the german roads and I would agree with the premise that american roads are more harsh.

If they provide softer shocks, and lower the price then great, but softer shocks will increase "american" demand and increase the price of the car which BWM is willing to sell it.

A tuner will then come in and offer stiffer shocks/springs, and heck even though it costs more, we will have the choice of how stiff we want to go.

To label it as a problem is a marketing/PR ploy to get people who are used to drving cushy le sabres and other lame viechiels into the mini. I'm all for it. More people driving smaller more fuel efficient cars is not bad thing!!!






_________________
'03 MC Pure Silver/Black #1,#3 Stock 16"

 

Wow, this is TERRIBLE news! What the hell are they thinking???!!!

 

Hell, something to actually make me glad I bought mine off the lot.

 

I sent an email to my dealer wanting an answer.

 

>>>>Just 'cause it doesn't seem clear to all here... the "fluid" is not something you can change like oil or coolant. Rather, it's the viscous fluid ("oil&quot sealed inside of the shock/strut. Different fluids have different properties, but you can't change the fluid without substituting an entirely different shock.

Why can't you change the fluid? I haven't worked on cars that much but on motorcycles you certainly can change the stock fluid in your shocks. It would be time consuming because you'd have to pull out the shocks to change the fluid but you should be able to do it.

Of course I wish my car's shocks were as adjustable as my motorcycles. I really want to know what people's mentality is... I don't like this car so make it worse so I like it. Go buy a caddilac or a lincoln town car or something and LEAVE THE MINI ALONE!!!! (unless you want to make it faster or handle better)
-Chris

and everyone wonders why people in other countries think americans are all fat and lazy

 

I have a car on order with an estimated build date in June. I'm not worried about the fluid change. Until you drive one with the new fluid you just don't know. That article quotes MINIUAS general manager Jack Pitney. Hello! He's not an engineer, he's a spin doctor for MINI! He's probably blowing smoke just to address the JD Powers survey concerns. His quote:

"Beginning this month we changed the oil in the shock absorbers which has a dramatic effect on the compliance of the suspension system."

Yeah, sure you did. Probably changed the vendor they were buying fluid from. "Dramatic effect?" We'll see. If the windshield and ECU software issues had been brought up in the survey he would have said they were working on those too. Are they? Who knows! Those issues probably didn't come up on the survey because 90% of the people buying the car probably aren't that passionate about it as the members of MCO. To many, it's just a cute car.

 

Ok, I just called the 800-ASK-MINI about the changes.

My wife and I ordered our cars at the beginning of this month. They will BOTH have this new oil. I'm pissed and told the nice lady on the phone. According to her, the change will affect ALL US bound MINIs built after May 1.

There is NO way to change the order. It is deemed and done.

I registered a complaint and my disappointment in their decision. She said she really hadn't gotten very many calls on it.

SO.....

If your car is on order, grab your production number, call 800-ASK-MINI, stay on the line for a rep. and register your complaint.

Maybe we can get this changed if enough people call.

(I'm going to repeat this on the other boards, so you may see it there.)

-Rob Lewis

 

Please Call Mini USA and Voice your Complaint!

If you have a problem with the change in shock oil please call MiniUSA and voice your concern. It will affect the handling...there is no question.

I just spoke with someone there and was extremely polite and just wanted a few answers as I have a vehicle being produced now and on order. I was treated extremely rudely to say the least and was told that I was the only one that cares about this change (they had not received any other calls).

If you have any concern or need some answers please call them and let them know how you feel. It only takes a few minutes and is very important.

(800) 831-1117 (press 3, then 2) or use the number posted above.

Rob, I am very happy that you called as well. I called them a few hours ago, as did a co-worker of mine (we both have a Cooper S on order) and were told no one had called. This is a terrible thing to do to people with vehicles on order. I also trust engineers a lot more than brand managers for making changes to our vehicles. I also want to know if this is only for US vehicles or if all Minis around the world will be getting the new shocks.

We all need to stick together and voice our discent regarding this situation.

I will also be posting an online petition for those interested to sign. I will post a link on the forum and it will be available later this evening.

Thanks,
David

 

Okay, I'll play the Devil's advocate here. Please don't flame me! :smile:
Maybe this is just a placebo to satisfy the few that complained. We've all seen medical tests and that some placebos have returned favorable results.

"Look deep into my eyes, you are getting sleepy, very sleepy. The oil in the shocks have been changed to give you a softer, more supple ride. When I count to three and snap my fingers, every time you get into your Mini, the ride will feel like a Cadillac."

Seriously, I am very worried about this as I was planning on putting my deposit down on a MCS this weekend. I may wait until a newer build comes in to test drive again. As stated earlier, I don't think an educated decision can be made until a side by side comparison can be made.

Just my 2 cents.

 

My MCS was built Monday. So I guess this means it will have the soft shocks..... SERIOUS DISAPPOINTMENT! I'm on the phone today to register my complaint.

Wouldn't it seem to make more sense to soften the shocks only in the sport suspension versions, retaining the firm ride in the sport suspension plus?

This is completely a dealer/customer education issue. Want a softer ride?....Buy a Cooper with 15" wheels/tires; don't expect it from an S with 17" runflats.

Makes me wonder where these decisions come from. Here's a car that they got so "right" from the start; then they can so misjudge their customer base with this kind of change. Hopefully it won't take them a year plus to figure this out and make it right, like it has the rear fog light issue.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINI USA,

Please don't play the JD Power chasing game. YOUR market doesn't want and doesn't need another Toyota Camry! US MINI sales figures are at 1.5 times the targets, largely due to the handling and character of the MINI. Please don't "f" it up! Spend some time here and learn what the REAL issues are that should be addressed; there are plenty of things to be done to improve customer satisfaction. Softening the suspension isn't one of them!

James
Future MCS Owner
(MCS born 05/12/03, target delivery early June)

 

The part that upsets me is the lack of choice. I'd be all over the idea of introducing the new oil suspension as an available option, but the flat out change bothers me.

 

^^I agree.

MINIUsa should give us the choice of suspension options rather than just assuming we all want a more "comfortable" ride.

I hope someone from MINIUsa will address this topic.

 

Click here to sign the petition! Please!

 

Can one of you more adept MCO users make sure this gets cross-posted in the Can't Wait for June and later clubs (I'm in the May version, so I'm hoping I missed this by the skin of my teeth).



>>Click here to sign the petition! Please!

 

Someone better call Mr. McGhee right now because I am turning into the HULK!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

 

I called MINIUSA and talked to Emily. I told her about my dissapointment in MINI's decision to soften the handling characteristics of the car in upcoming new builds.

I think these people are tired of hearing complaint calls throught the day, but we all need to keep pressing on the subject because otherwise these cars are going to become small sized Buicks.

Pick up the phone and let them now how you feel.

***Please be polite to whomever takes your call********

 

>>>> A person brought up the point that they think the run-flats should be deleted.

No they didn't, moorlockx. Read the post.<<

I did read the post....and I just read it again. I don't know the author's intent, but it still comes across to me the he's suggesting ditching the run flats instead of doing the shock change. I may be misinterpreting his statement, but that's how it reads to me.

>>>Why not drop the runflats if harsh ride is an issue. that would make more sense.<<<

But this is neither here nor there, as I later pointed out that you could probably opt out of the runflats when you order your car.

MINI has just way over reacted here. If the ride is a problem, why not just offer a "comfy package" that folks could choose if they wanted it. You could have a choice of the "sport package" or the "non-sport package". This seems like the must logical way to go to appease the entire customer base.

 

I put it in the July club thread.

>>Can one of you more adept MCO users make sure this gets cross-posted in the Can't Wait for June and later clubs (I'm in the May version, so I'm hoping I missed this by the skin of my teeth).
>>
>>
>>
>>>>Click here to sign the petition! Please!
>>

 

85 sigs on the petition.

yeah, my MCS has a "harsh" ride, but that's why i love it!

 

I agree, MINI is making a big mistake by making a change without contacting those who have already ordered their cars. As many have already mentioned, this should be an option.

Personally I don't run my MCS as hard as some of the rest of you and that's why I stayed with the 16" wheels and tires. I knew it wouldn't be quite as stiff. I made a decision and I'm happy with my choice. Other have made a decision but won't be getting what they ordered . Not fair!

Wings

 

Just wanted to let you know that I have spoken with people and have confirmed that this is only a US change (not even in Canada). Hardly an engineering improvement. More like a US change to make the ride softer.

This is not good news.

Please fill out the online petition or call MINI to voice a complaint if you are upset. (800) 831-1117 (press 3 then 2)

Thanks