If I had to do it over again....

I have an MCSa with the Sport Package. I wanted the Sport Package specifically for the sport suspension as it seemed a decent "upgrade" for the price and right from the factory. The 17 web spokes look really nice (when clean) so I opted for those too. The original plan when I bought the car was to go full JCW starting somewhere around 20,000 miles and continuing as the budget allowed for the next year or two. This time line meant driving the car for about 18-24 months stock and then slowing putting on the JCW parts.

The more I drive the more I feel like throwing away my original time line and starting the JCW process now. Once you are behind the wheel you get this bug and that bug makes you rationalize things in a way you didn't realize you could previously.

The sport suspension is harsh so if you want a "comfortable" ride stay with the regular suspension. If you want the most comfortable ride possible then stay with 16" wheels. If you want something in-between then your best bet is probably ordering stock 16s and finding after market 17s that allow you to youify your MINI. This will also allow you to determine the value in runflats vs. better tires.

In the end the bug may get you like it has me and you'll find yourself contemplating the JCW suspension. If you don't get the sport package you won't have to rationalize getting rid of the sport suspension at less then 10,000 miles like I do every day.

happy motoring

 

This is like a bad Saturday Night Live skit.

Guy that's talking about his "sports package" from Germany on an '04, that was an R53 and a different animal.

Various Sport Terminology:
Sport Drive: on the automatic cars you can go into "sport drive" on the shifter. Different auto-shift points. More engine braking.
Sport Button: electronic button on S cars on both auto and manual; changes shift points even more dramatically on the auto; changes fuel delivery and steering input/feel on all cars.
Sport Package: on my original '07 S, it gave you heavy 17" wheels, xenon lights, choice of bonnet stripes or not, and DSC. Period. No thicker swaybar.
In 2008 it gives you DSC, sport suspension, and heavy 17" wheels.
Sport suspension: thicker swaybar (I'm guessing 19mm)
JCW Sport Suspension: swaybar, springs, improved dampers? I think.


The 17" wheels are the same OD as the 16" --- that means a lower aspect ratio or less sidewall. Read: harsher ride quality. Not too big a difference with runflats since the sidewalls are made from kryptonite anyhow and they handle like rubber-covered bricks.

I'm done.

 

Yea, there is a significant difference between the 2007 Sports Package, and the 2008 version. We've probably confused things by talking about the 2007. Sorry.

 

What's more important to you, making your girlfriend happy or the way the wheels look?

If I were you, I would dump the sports package, order DSC, and get a set of aftermarket 16" wheels. I have a set of 16" and a set of 17" wheels. I like the design of the 17" wheels I have better, but I use the 16" for street driving. The 17" have been relegated to autox (they are actually quite light, and about equal in weight to the 16" Rota RBs).

So, get stock suspension and 16" wheels. The car will handle very well and be more comfortable. You are not turning it into a Buick by going with the stock suspension.

 

I went w/ the sports suspension as i wanted improved handling, but didn't want to go aftermarket which would void the warranty. JCW was too expensive to consider at the time. It's a nice compromise between performance and comfort as it's stiffer, but not extreme. I wish the car was lower though, so I keep contemplating putting in some H&R springs.

I got the 16" wheels b/c I figured if I wanted to go 17" I could just buy aftermarket. Warranty's not really an issue here to swap back and forth.

To maximize comfort, I'd go w/ stock suspension and 16's.

In reading these boards, I remember some commenting that the best compromises were if you wanted 17" wheels to go stock suspension, or 16" wheels w/ sports suspension.