How's the handling? Going from R53 to R58
 

I am looking to order a Coupe JCW in the next week. Some of the reviews that I have found say the ride is a little harsh. Do you agree?

I am coming from a R53 with the Sports Suspension which was later upgraded to the H&R springs with the 17 inch Web Spokes. I think coming from that I should be going to a more comfortable ride than what I had before.

Considering your current setup, I think you will enjoy the ride so long as you ditch the run-flat tires. You way even find it too soft with the stock suspension.

I think I would be putting about 5 miles on those run-flats because that's about the distance from the dealership to my tire store. :)

I was actually comfortable with my last setup.. but I will certainly lower this one. I don't like the gap.. I was just concerned about some of the criticism that I have read of the ride quality.

One of my good friends called me warning me to read around to make sure I was okay with it. She was concerned the handling might not be as good as the 53 or 56.

well, presumably you're going to drive one before you order, right? So you'll be able to decide for yourself.

I will say that coming from an R50 I definitely notice that overall level of refinement is much greater. But I think that is a factor of 1st gen to 2nd gen as much as anything. I do think that the steering has a little less "feel" to it unless I remember to push the "sport" button. But I have a Justa so that could be part of the equation as well. The ride quality is less harsh though too.

I've had a chance to drive both an S and a JCW but was not truly able to push them enough to gauge the handling. My old MA was awesome when it came to giving me a chance to feel what a Mini had to offer.

There aren't too many handling differences between the R56 hatch and the R58 coupe. In some cases the coupe apparently handles slightly better (on a track). I don't think you should be worried there :grin:

I guess that settles it.. I'll be putting down for a Pepper White JCW Coupe :)

nice color!! :) just picked up my pepper white S Coupe last week. Crazy fun car!!!

I just picked up my Coupe last week, and the one think I've noticed is that the ride is much softer than my '03 MCS. But also more solid. I still feel the road, but it doesn't jar my teeth... What did you decide?

I just passed the 6k mark, and the car is finally smoother over bumps and still stiff around corners, also the pickup is better than when I first picked it up with 2 miles. I think she breaks in well around this mile mark - 0 mods so far, tho the cnt exhaust is making me salivate.

I spent 3 years without a MINI after trading in my '05 MCS. That car had a set of springs & RSB, but was otherwise stock suspension. When I got into the MCS Coupé, I thought the ride was kind of soft. But as I drove it, I realized that despite the softer ride, it was actually handling as well as the modded R53. And that was on the stock Run Flats. They were so surprisingly "not bad" that I drove the tread off them before getting new lightweight wheels & stickier tires.

I want to lower it about 1/2-3/4" for cosmetics, but I don't want to ruin the ride. I do a lot of long road trips. (Will hit 20k miles this week, after 10 months)