This past Saturday I picked up my mom's new Cooper S Convertible. There are a few things we talked about that we wanted to change before she drove it down to the Dragon, one being improving the aesthetic without ruining the ride comfort. Tonight, I achieved that. I installed a set of H-Sport springs front and rear on her MCSc. Here are before and after. I apologize for the poor "after" picture; it had to be a long exposure because it was dark outside!

Stock: 2005 MINI Cooper S Cabrio


Modified: 2005 MINI Cooper S Cabrio with H-Sport spring set


My first driving impression with the stock setup was shockingly squishy. Not even the base Cooper suspension was this plush and disconnected feeling. I was rather offended a MINI rode like this, it certainly was not becoming of a proper Cooper S!

The H-Sport springs are progressive rate, and also a tuned set. The Front springs start off being slightly softer, yet with more body lean and bigger bumps, they get stiffer for improved body control. The Rear springs start off slightly stiffer, and get much stiffer. This stiffer rear spring improves chassis neutrality through corners by reducing understeer. The car sits about 7/8" lower front and rear. This lowering also improves the roll center, and the center of gravity. The result is a Cabrio with a much more appropriately "connected" feeling to the road, with much less body motion while cornering, accelerating, and braking. The Ride comfort, because of the progressive rates, is only marginally stiffer than the Cadillac-esque stock springs. A big improvement overall!

Bottom Line: For $215, the H-Sport springs are an excellent addition to bring your Cabrio up to par in the handling department without killing ride quality.

Motor-On!
Ryan
Ryan@DetroitTuned.com
www.DetroitTuned.com

 

ryan- looks good!

was there a reason why MINI used softer springs and struts/shocks
in the first place on the cabrio's? Like since it doesn't have the roof for
added rigidity like on the regular MCS's? or does that not matter?

 

Schweet ride!

 

Thanks guys!

The Cabrio does seem to have reduced chassis rigidity versus the hatchback, however the only cause for concern would be if you started putting firmer dampers on the car (Koni Yellow's, KW Variant 2's, Leda's); this would cause more stress on the chassis. Lowering springs aren't going to be a noteworthy issue.

I think MINI decided on very soft springs to keep ride plushness at a maximum; it's obvious the Cabrio wasn't intended for the enthusiast, however with a few tweaks you can get the handling on-par. I was a bit beside myself that more power wasn't the first thing on my mind with this car, it was the handling that needed help the most!

Cheers!
Ryan

 

nice! Any plans for a 22mm swaybar to tighten her down a little more?

:smile:

 

Not at the moment. I might get antsy though

I'm not sure I'd do a 22mm however, probably an ALTA 19mm would be sufficiently balanced with the smaller SS front swaybar.

 

When I test drove an '05 MCSC, I commented to my Motoring Advisor that it rode softer than my '04 hatch, even though the '05 Cabrio had 17" wheels and my '04 has 16" wheels. It seemed like a nice cruising ride but not suitable to any spirited twisties.

It's good to know I wasn't imagining things...:smile:

 

looks good ryan, can't wait to see it in person

 

Ryephile,
I agree that the cabrio doesn't handle as well as the hard top...Actually I wanted a BMW M3 cabrio but my wife fell in love with the MCSC so the M3 will have to wait I've upgraded my swaybar, any recommendations for what to do next in terms of suspension?

 

Strider209 - I think my threadstarter post is calling your name; H-Sport springs are your next step on the Cabrio S!

 

Just saw the "Stealth" cabrio last night.. and it is hot!!! I am liking the cabrios more and more eveytime I see them. You won't ever see me buying one though

 

One quick question: the stock set-up has a 3.5" clearance under the plastic spoiler in front of the MINI. Lowering the suspension an inch or more lowers this clearance to under 2.5" inches. Have any of you who have lowered their cars run into trouble with this little clearance? Thanks.

 

I believe that some manufacturers soften up the suspension in their convertables because the additonal stiffening of the frame (due to no roof) causes bumps and jolts to be transmitted into the passenger compartment more easily. Giving a softer suspension eases this a bit to a more normal level.

 

Honestly it is a little hard for me to see the difference in the two pics. Any chance you could take an "after" pick that would better match the same view as a "before" pic?

Thanks,
Kris

 

This is probably true with the MCSC. After driving the MCSC I noticed that it didn't take turns as well as the MCS, but the ride felt about the same. I've swapped out the sway bar and it corners much better but I can really feel the bumps!

 

The main difference I see is that the wheels seem to fit in the wheel wells better than before -- it looks like a more natural fit.

 

Ryan,

Looks great. Ride quality OK?
Rear negative camber OK? Not excessive?
No lower rear control arms yet?
No alignment done to adjust rear camber?

 

'hune - Yes I already said the ride quality is basically as soft as stock. It's dampers that really impact ride softness. The rear camber is appropriate for the stock swaybars, so even with the stock-from-the-factory adjustable rear lower control arms (new for '05) there's no need to adjust them. The need for an alignment is determined by drivability and tire wear - and both are top shelf. 99% of the time there's no need for an "alignment" on the MINI after installing springs.

For CafeJane - new picture!



Cheers,
Ryan :smile:

 

Wow, Rye! Your Mom's Cabrio looks fantastic slammed! Very, very nice!


Clover

 

That is a sweet ride! I'm crying that I had to cancel my Convertible. Motoring topless vicariously through you.:smile:

 

I did a MINI only Autocross driving School last year and there was another MINI CooperS there that had the H&R lowering Springs. The driving instructors were blown away by the cars handling after driving 12 different Coopers.

He had also bought the H&R front and rear sway bars. His research told him that those sway bars were designed to work the best with the springs. FWIW Something to consider.
BTW - The Cab looks great enjoy it at the Dragon.

 

I haven't been thrilled the H&R's products specifically for the MINI. The spring set stiffens the front too much while not stiffening the rear enough, not improving the understeer problem from the factory. Also, the swaybars go along the same route; too stiff in front, not enough in back, meaning more understeer. In practice, the H&R stuff just doesn't cut it, even though it'll "feel" like it handles better when you're swerving lanes on the interstate.

 

Acutally I'm really impressed with our MCC's handling compared to our modded 02 MCS. It's softer during the commute but seems to corner just as well or even better (subjective limited first impressions after 800 miles). We've got 16" runflats on the MCC too vrs. 17" TDR & Kumhos on the MCS too. Stock suspensions.

 

Ryephile,

After two weeks do you have any more thoughts on the springs you installed on your mother's car? I have a set of M7 springs on order but am having second thoughts as my stock cabrio scrapes quite often on driveways and the odd pothole. With the M7s, clearance at the front air dam will be less than 2.5".

 

I'm picking up my new JCW convertible next week. (due at dealer on the 28th). I was wondering if I can get the sports suspension plus installed with the factory set up from the coupe or go aftermarket. I'd like it to handle as tight as possible. Any ideas or recommendations? I saw the H sport spring set up but I want no compromises as to handling. It will be driven often so comfort would be nice but not at the expense of having a soft cushy ride. Opinions welcomed.. it's been a long wait and I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE!!!.