I am about to place my order for a new Clubman and the only thing I am undecided on is whether or not to get the sport suspension.

Any opinions on the pluses and minuses?

Also, I was pretty disappointed in what the dealer has offered in trade for my 2007 S. Is this pretty typical?

Thanks

 

I like my sport suspension, it's still pretty soft compared to aftermarket setups I've felt in other cars.

If you plan on actually competing with your car, or looking for performance, you can look elsewhere and save your money, but for daily driving it's fine.

 

I didn't get the Sports Suspension and I don't have any regrets. Its still very firm and corners very flat. I did get the LSD, but if I had to do it over again, I think I would of skipped it. Unless you are going to autoX your car I don't think it is necessary.

 

I have ordered mine with the sports supension; I was unsure as well, but was able to test drive one with the supension. It wasn't bad, not harsh like people said it was. IMHO, its better to go ahead and get something than regret not getting it later.

 

If you live in a Northern Tier State that gets snow i would deffinitley get the LSD.

As for the sport suspension that is another thing i would get. It is not has harsh as many people make it out to be, and it does make a difference in the handling.

My real suggestion is that you take each for a test drive. If your dealer does not have one then find another dealer. You do not want to regret not getting something.

 

I had the same issue. I'm still not 100% sure what the "Sports Suspension" actually includes. When I asked my MA, she thought it was only a thicker swaybar. On my test drive, I drove an S automatic without the Sports Suspension and a non-S manual with it. While the test drive wasn't exceptionally long, I couldn't really tell a difference.

Basing my decision upon the MA's comment and the test drive, I figured I would pass on Mini's $500 option for the Sports Suspension and instead buy an aftermarket bar on my own. I actually spent the $500 on LSD and haven't regretted that decision, especially on rainy days when the boost comes on and can cause the front wheels to spin.

 

I have the Sports Suspension and the ride is good. I would recommend it.

 

Yep - me too! I have the sports suspension and LSD and like both.

Up here in the Great White North, MINI Canada had a travelling road show called the "Clubman Challenge" where you could test the new-at-the-time Clubman vs. its competitors on a mini circuit.

Available to us were the:
Mazda 3 hatch
VW GTI 4-door
Volvo C30
Cooper Clubman 6 speed
Cooper Clubman auto
Cooper S Clubman 6 speed
Cooper S Clubman auto
Cooper S Clubman 6 speed, sport suspension & LSD

We were sold on the car after that experience. It's pretty nice being able to try the cars back-to-back, on the same course, in the same conditions.

I don't find the sport suspension very harsh at all...

Good luck!

 

Now I feel better having ordered an S Clubman w/ LSD & sport suspension!

My boat is halfway across "the pond'

 

I guess the question is - what does the sports suspension actually consist of? Looking at the MINI website it only lists thicker sway bars and doesn't mention anything else. If this is correct then the ride wouldn't be impacted much at all which matches what some have said.

In this case they should call it a handling package as the suspension hasn't really been changed. I think 'sports suspension' implies more changes than just beefier sway bars.

Maybe in previous years this package was more extreme which is the reason for the reputation of a rough ride.

 

The website says:

thicker sway bars front and rear
mcpherson struts
multi-link rear suspension
and aluminum shafts


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I'm with senna1 - seems like the 2009 standard suspension is enough for everyday motoring. Here is what I read on MiniUSA describing the standard suspension:

"...The suspension in our Hardtop and Clubman models feature front and rear anti-sway bars as standard equipment while the McPherson strut suspension helps provide incredibly tight front-wheel drive handling. And, unlike many other cars in their class, MINIs feature multi-link rear suspension that helps keep your wheels at their optimal angle to the road and your tires in full contact with the surface. This is especially handy for high-speed cornering or for unstable road surfaces. And our new lightweight aluminum longitudinal shafts reduce weight and increase agility to provide top performance when attacking sharp curves - the natural prey for all MINIs.

For even more aggressive performance, both models offer the option of a Sport Suspension that features even thicker anti-sway bars."

 

I thought there was a post somewhere that showed a parts listing indicating the springs and struts were the same for sport and non-sport "S" cars. Again, the difference being a thicker sway bar.

 

So I paid $500 for better sway bars? LOL I'm a dolt

 

It does seem that the $500 price is rediculus if all it consists of is thicker sway bars because the standard suspension has both front and rear bars already. Since its and upgrade at the factory, it should be only the additional cost of the thicker bars, probably less than $25, but most of MINI's options are priced that way.

 

I have the sport suspension on my 2008 MCS, and contrary to some others, I'm disappointed in the ride......and my last two cars have been 911 Porsches, so I'm accustomed to a "firm" ride. Frankly, I just find it harsh, especially on tar strips, etc. In hindsight, I'm sorry I ordered the sport suspension, but at the time I thought I would autocross the car and thought the sport suspension would be advantageous......haven't run any autocrosses (yet) but think that any advantage there is outweighed by the daily ride.

 

Did I remember reading somewhere it "stiffens" the steering response? I've driven our 07 MCS in both modes and don't really see a difference. My Clubman S is in thepaint shop at Plant Oxford now, when I get it, I'll check it in both modes. And I can't wait for that!

 

The sport BUTTON stiffens the steering response. Is that what you're thinking of? That comes on all cars.

 

Yea, I'm an idiot! And I ordered the sport suspension on my Clubman. Does that give me the daily double?

 

I was considering trading up to an 09 and spoke with several MINI people about the sports suspension and it's true - they are the bigger swaybars ONLY. To be clear, if you go aftermarket on swaybars you could spend nearly the same amount of money on them PLUS have to either spend the time installing them or paying someone to do it for you.

FWIW, I wouldn't get them *unless* you planned on autocrossing. If you are a heavy-duty autocrosser or track-day person, then "sports suspension" would be an entry-level upgrade where aftermarket options are probably superior.

The sports suspension is for someone like me who splits the difference. I do autocross often, but am not so competitive that I'd spend the money and time to go aftermarket.

 

Minimoto...if you're getting the S, skip the sport suspension.
Run flats make it a rougher ride already.

I had a dealer loaner for a week and really was happy to get my ClubmanS back, stiff ride and all(no sports suspension).