Im looking at getting a mini and handling is of the utmost importance for me. But living in MN our roads are so so. The only European car I have had was a 2001 audi S4. That car was so smooth and handled pretty good. (could of done with a bit less body roll) but over all it was a very very nice ride.

How does the JCW suspension package compare to a 01 s4 or even a s2000 (which I have owned 2 of)? I dont want bone jarring stiffness. Im looking for smooth refined go kart like handling as this will be a daily driver getting about 24k miles a year. Ive driven a CR s2000 and that was WAY WAY to stiff for daily driving up here. I do not want anything like the CR. But the stock s2000 is very nice and livable.

Ive e-mailed my dealer asking if they have all 3 configs available to drive. If they dont im looking for some opinions.

O yeay I will not be doing anything aftermarket to this car. Just going to drive it with oem stuff. :-)
Thanks for reading!

 

Are you going to be driving it competitively? Have you had any competitive driving training?

If the answer to either is no, then the non-upgraded JCW suspension should be more than adequate to your needs. Probably somewhere in between the S2k and the S4 in ride quality. It's not until you are looking to be competitive with it that the car will not handle well enough for something around 90% of owners, and maybe 60% of drivers here on NAM.

If you are competing, then you don't need to ask here, you need to show up at some local competitions where you know a mini will be running and see if the owner will let you take it for a lap or two.

 

I auto x but will not be autoxing the mini. Thanks for your input. I will be test driving the sport and non sport this weekend as they dont have the JCW on any car they have.