I'm considering uping my '04 MC with the SS suspension to the SS+ springs and rear sway and read in a post (link) that you'd have to get the springs for your specific optioned car through a dealer. I'm sure it would depend on the dealer, but how much could I expect to pay for these springs? Also, would they sell just the springs or are the springs and shocks considered one assembly? I can't imagine they are, I just want to know how much this will cost me if I do go through with it.

Also, does anyone have numbers on the spring rate differences between SS and SS+ springs? I believe the rear bar is ~30% stiffer; I was wondering how much difference there was in the springs.

 

You really want the rear bar, and to get it you need the springs...

 

What have you got now ?
The Standard 16mm bar - SS+ is 17mm ??? Don't waste you money - get a 19mm / 22mm / 25mm...
Same things with the springs... why go for a margenal upgrade when for a bit more you can get something that will make a much bigger difference.

Decide what you what and Why - then go out and find the best deal for what you decide on ...

My 2 cents.

 

The rear's easy enough to get as it's the same from an MCS and lots of MCS owners on here upgrade to aftermarket bars. My biggest concern is the springs as I've read they are specific to your car's options, so those would be very difficult to buy used.
Right now I'm running the SS suspension. The car's my DD and I don't want to go too crazy modifying it for two reasons: 1) I don't want the car to become as uncomfortable as my CSP Miata did and 2) I don't want to put that much money into the car - basically I don't want to need to spend $400 for adjustable rear arms, $400 for camber plates, couple hundred for full exhaust, couple hundred for super light wheels, etc just to be semi competitive in STS (where I would be put if I did an aftermarket rear sway). If I go with the SS+ suspension parts I can stay in HS and the car can remain much more livable on a day-to-day basis as well as avoid getting too much into a big money class.

 

Because the bigger bars and stiffer springs are not legal in H Stock (which is what this forum is about).

I found (and now have) a set of SS+ springs, but still need a swaybar before I can use the springs.

 

ah....

I have the SS+ Sway bar that i pulled out of my car.
but I'm up in eastern Canada : ( - Customes , Brokerage ... :p

 

You might want post a notice with the folks in Carolina's MINI club section of this forum. There are a few of them who have upgraded the MCS/MC suspension sets to coil overs. That bar should not be to hard to come by.

Just in case you have ride concerns about this set up. I have had SS+ on both of my MC cars. The first was and the second is a daily driver. Don't worry about the ride. You already must know what a difference it makes in an autocross or you would not be going down this path.
John DaCrema

 

Now I'm totaly confused, I'm currently running in STS and I'm looking to go back to stock form but I'm finding it's very expensive to do so. I'm reading about SS+ suspension but have no idea what you guys are talking about. I was under the impresion that a 05' MC with sport suspension is as good as you can get on the MC with no mention of SS+. So what is the upgrade for an 05" MC then.

 

To really understand MINI suspension options you first must remember that in the USA we see only two MINI cars, the MC and MCS. In other countries the entry car is the MINI ONE, MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER S. MINI ONE has less power than the MINI Cooper. MINI USA and maybe MINI corprate decided that the ONE would not sell well and it was not imported into the USA.

• The MINI ONE has the standard suspension package.
• The MINI Cooper has upgraded springs and supension as part of the package. That package is called Sport Suspension and is an option on the MINI ONE.
• The MINI Cooper S (MCS) has even higher rated springs, struts and larger sway bars. The MCS package is called Sport Suspension + (SS+). The SS+ was an option on MINI Cooper.

SS+ was sometimes overlooked because it was not part of the Sport package and other times intentionally left out because of the ride difference. MC cars with SS+ sit a little lower and ride a little harder (much like a MCS).

As I recall there are several part numbrs for springs. The SS+ springs may differ from car to car may depending on the weight (read added options) of the car. I think SS+ struts are the same, but could be different for the MC vs MCS. Standard suspension has the skinney sway bars. SS thicker and SS+ has larger.

Hope this helps.
John

 

It only works for me if it isn't already on the car. How does one tell by looking at the original window sticker...(yes I still have it, it's framed...it's my baby's birth certificate). Second if found that I only have the SS suspension package and went with the SS+ & Mini one front sway bar would that be stock legal and would it get rid of most of the understeer?

 

• If you do not see it as a line item you do not have SS+. The SS+ is not part of any package. I still have my window sticker and receipts too.
• A quick way to check is to park you car next to a 02-06 MC that you are sure does NOT have SS+ so that both cars face the same direction. Then look at the back of the cars for the height difference. If your MC seems to be lower (inch or two) you may have SS+. higher you do not have SS+.

• You are going to need to spend some time with the rule book because I have not been autocrossing this year. I think you are talking SCCA stock legal. As I recall it is legal to change the front sway bar on any car. (A silly rule made for rear wheel drive cars but grandfathered into the book last I checked. Given the rule, it seems fair to allow frond drivers to add a rear bar. But I get off topic.)
• To upgrade to SS+ you must change the springs, struts, and swaybar (rear). You have to change all the springs too. Not just the rear ones.
  Quote:

  Originally Posted by GOTCURVES

  ..and would it get rid of most of the understeer?
• Changing the front bar alone would not help unless you go with a smaller (less stiff) bar. In the early days some people ran with the front bar disconnected. With SS+ it is the stuff at the back end of the car that counts the most (in autocross).
• A final note. Unless you are loosing by less than a couple tenths I'm not sure the work will pay off more than seat time in a school. For example I do not know that the suspension makes a difference for me. When I autocross I loose more time due to picking a bad line for a set of gates. I am not saying that SS+ will not help and I know people who are that good that the SS+ will make a difference between winning and second. On the back roads though it is a different story. Cars with the SS+ are much nicer to drive. They seem more balanced.

 

I'm currently competing in STS in an underprepared 05' MC (still need coilovers in place of the hotchkis springs and stock w/69K on them shocks.) I'm currently third in the open class in my clubs summer series. We had the likes of DM driver Mark Huffman in his 62' Elan participate in a few events as well. I'm returning to stock because the HS Mini is more competitive but I really like how she handles now (I have the Alta ARSB on the softest setting and adjust under/over steer with rear tire pressure) and don't want to loose it all.

 

Won't need to change the struts as stock class allows replacing of struts / shocks with any unit that mounts in the same way as the OEM one does (did?), aftermarket or OEM (I ran the stock SS ones with my SS+ springs and rear sway) in addition to replacing the front sway with any unit (I used the stock SS one with my setup). It allows one or two other things, but if you read the rulebook they're all spelled out there (in a more or very less clear way).

This setup reduced understeer from stock and made it more fun as a DD, but a smaller front way would have helped considerably.

 

I had no idea about the SS+ suspension package, looks good to me so I'm calling the dealer today to give them my VIN and find out how much it is. I'm also going to look into finding a Mini One FSB from Europe and putting that on and finishing with Koni Yellow's. I think I might be able to do something with this setup.

 

Dhoooooo I knew that once upon a time. Thanks

 

So I understand now what the SS+ suspension pkg is, and from your post here you say that the springs lower the ride of the car in addition to a higher spring rate? If so, is it as much as the 2" you speak of? I would welcome that but if not that's cool as well.

 

No, the car does not ride lower.