I'm on my second MINI and wanted to know what the best recommendation is for ride-quality improvements. I may ask these questions in more depth in the tires and/or suspension areas, but since my car is an R57 I wanted to start here.

I'd like to soften the ride just a little so it doesn't bother my wife's back so much. On my last MINI I traded out the runflats for regular tires and that did the trick about 80%. If there's also a suspension change I could make to effect this improvement, please let me know.

And, if anyone has the knowledge, please let me know simply how adjusting a suspension affects ride quality. I know the ultimate goal is to keep tires in contact with the road as much as possible and that means strong/stiff shocks and springs, but where's the breaking point between soft ride and safe tire contact with the road?

I'm not interested in lowering the vehicle at all. And I am not going wider/larger in tires. Looking to just get more comfy tires at the 16-inch size and maybe tweak suspension components.

Thanks!

Jeff

 

The run flats will most likely give you the most noticeable ride comfort improvement. How many miles are on the stock suspension?

 

I'm really unsure. I have yet to visit a dealer to find out all the maintenance that's been done on the car. It has 95,000 on it and I bought the car 10 days ago. I have about 1000 miles left on a service visit according to the dash - will check alerts when I'm in the car later to find out if that's an oil or other service.

If there's a way to determine what services have already been done in detail, especially replacements to problem areas like timing chain, pumps and such, let me know. The Car Fax and dealer info (not a MINI dealer) was very light on info.

Last seven of the VIN are T296327 and it's a 2012 MINI Cooper S Convertible.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

95k on original suspension is a good amount of time so honestly, changing it up with something new and fresh will also improve your ride comfort. Unless the previous owner kept receipts of service that they had done outside of the dealer, (if done at the dealer it should all be recorded in their database), then knowing what has been fixed/replaced is going to be hard to determine. Sometimes Indy shops/dealers will be able to tell you if the parts look like they have been previously replaced or not. If you're unsure and they are, especially with timing stuff, replace it. If you come to determine the shocks/struts haven't been replaced and it's time to replace them a good alternative OEM replacement are Bilstein Touring Class shocks/struts. They give you a slightly stiffer ride and increased handling potential while retaining a smooth ride. They're also very well priced: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item3.

 

Getting closer to making a tire and suspension decision. Folks here have been great and provided the name of a MINI shoppe in Sandwich, MA. Going to chat with him about new wheels and tires and have him examine the suspension to see how old it is and what adjustments are possible with it - if it's on the newer side.

Thanks for all your help. Will share links with him when we meet.

Jeff