Hello everyone,

I am a Motoring Advisor at a MINI dealer here in NJ. I sold a 2014 Clubman to an older couple. They drove both the S model and non S... We decided the non S was the way to go and placed the order. So, it's been about a month and they complaining that the suspension is way too stiff and it's hurting their backs. They want to know how to get softer springs. If this were an R53 I could tell them anything they wanted to know and solve this for the. I have limited exposure to modifying the newer MINIs. There's plenty of spring options, all of them will lower the car and most likely be way stiffer. I had Tein coilovers on my R53 and they were perfect. Idk how to help these folks. Anything we do will void part of the warranty, but is there even an option to fix this? Coilovers? Springs that are softer and don't lower the car? Full Air Ride? lol Help Please

 

Might I suggest trading it in on a countryman :-)

 

Does it have runflats?. If it does a non runflat tire with a taller size might make all the differance in the world. Please define older couple.

 

That is exactly what I thought. These folks were a PROCESS to sell lol... they are so nice, but they spent 80% of their time here arguing with eachother old people style. It was cute, but slowed the process down. I don't think there is a solution for them and their clubman.

 

That's the first thing we thought of... but it already has the 15's with plenty of tire. Good suggestions though keep em coming

 

I think he means early to mid thirties...way old

 

Wasn't meant to be rude. My apologies.

 

"Too Stiff"...

Lower the air pressure in the tires to 30 PSI.

This will make the car ride like mush (still be safe for sporting older folks..)..

I dropped the tire pressure in my Clubman down to 30 just to see what it was like... tires, far quieter... ride much smoother.

Did they try a Countryman? They ride super soft...

I don't know of a company that makes "softer" springs for the Mini.. stock units are about as soft as things get.

 

No apology needed here. I chuckled when I read it .

 

Ditch the runflats and since it is a non S clubman, you can put a spare in it and have them run 32 PSI in them. My 2011 Clubman non S did not come with runflats and has a donut spare.

 

Ditch the run flats

 

If the non run flats don't work, switch to Koni FSD shocks for a better ride. Search for FSD on the forums and you will find plenty of reviews.

If that doesn't work, trade for a Buick.

 

Sounds like you won't make them happy. The 15s are already non-runflats and the car is made for handling turns, not hauling Metamucil and adult diapers. The want a Cadillac ride and it just isn't going to happen.

Maybe throw it up on a lift and make sure the spacers on the struts were removed during the PDI, from shipping. I have seen a car come back to a dealer with them still on and the owner saying it rode a little rough, lol.

 

It amazes me to see the complaints some people have with MINIs. What about a MINI screams plush ride? Seems sort of ridiculous really. Like buying a Vette and complaining its too fast. Anecdotally, I think it's why MINI is the most complained about brand. People buy one expecting it to be something else.

 

MINI has made their cars a whole lot softer than the R50 R53. To my feeling they are pretty plush riding now. I wonder how much softer the F56 will be. MINI is losing the edge me thinks.

 

I'm 50 and bought my first MINI, my first non 400Hp RWD car in a long time , and if you want a harsh ride, get a paceman with 19" P zeros, I could feel running over cig buts.

Did they even test drive one ? I tested a few , the bond street had 17's I think and was harsher than the 16" I got but that loaner with 19" swore me off larger wheels for good but the 15" is too hard for them ? wow. good luck.

 

First off, hat's off to you for driving some awesome cars!

Secondly, they drove S and non S models of the Clubman and the Countryman. They argued with eachother the whole time. I sent them information on coilovers, so they had an idea of how technical of a problem this is. They love their mini, but compare it to the Lexus they have. At this point it is what it is...They have calmed down a bit. They even have the Lounge leather which is way softer. Idk what to do anymore.

 

that's the problem, the MINI is not a Lexus. They can't compare apples to oranges.

And I love romping my MINI and getting better city mileage than my old cars and truck got on the highway

 

You are correct.... and we deal with that comparison a lot. boggles my mind lol

 

They can trade towards a Ford Crown Victoria.

 

As previously posted, I would concur that the best course of action for you is to swap out the OEM Struts and Shocks for the KONI FSD system.

The owners are likely not a fan of the stock suspensions tendency to CRASH over every little ripple in the road. Its constantly BANG BANG BANG over the bumps and ripples. I have a Clubman S that I swapped out the RUN-FLATs 3 weeks after I bought the car. It still had a harsh ride but last week I replaced the original shocks and struts for the KONI FSD system. OMG, the difference is amazing! The ride is so much more refined and well mannered and the handling is a lot better too. I've been a mechanic for most of my life and I really can't explain how such an improvement can occur by just swapping out the shocks. If I had known about this I would have done this before I took delivery of the car.

I think every MINI Salesman should ride in a car with the KONI FSD system so they understand what a difference it makes and then offer the swap at the point of sale. I would recommend you find some local R55 owner who has the KONI's installed and take a test drive, better yet have your customer take a ride and see for themselves. I'll bet this will save your sale. I bought the FSD system for my car from MotoringWorks a NAM sponsoring vendor for $625 here: http://www.motoringwerks.com/p-3675-...sd-shocks.aspx

Good luck!

 

Thanks for your post- my wife won't go for long trips in my R55 because of the harsh ride - the constant BANG BANG BANG over bumps and expansion joints. I intend to get the Koni FSD's based on your advice what I've read....

 

Side note, I just switched to winter tires (All season deals, Eagle Sport ST, non run-flat).. even at 40 PSI the ride in my Clubman is SOOOO SMOOTH AND QUIET NOW! I only had 7,000 miles on my Run Flats.. Im not sure I'll put them back on now!

 

^^^ Why run 40 psi in those snow tires???

 

All Seasons... Not snows.

I always run my pressures a little high. I did like the handling with the run flats.. (Which I ran at 38.. Stock was 35).

Since these have softer sidewalls I ran them higher. Anything less and the car just felt too mushy for my taste.

Good grip on the way home in a 34 degree F rain. My wife even commented on how quiet and nice the ride is now.