No stock suspension was harsher than Sport Suspension Plus on MINIs built prior to May 2003

 

i switched out the run flats cause it was tracking all over the fwy. i swear people must have thought i was drunk...:impatient i ended up going with 215 45 17 tires and they ride much better. i don't carry a spare, so i carry AAA

 

Anyone on here have the spring rates for the Sport S, Standard, etc.?
Also, it would be nice to know the spring rates for the JCW & H&R's.
Id like to lower the car about 1" with springs or possibly with coilovers for better rebound damping, but I'll drive the car daily on a fairly long commute and want somthing just slightly stiffer then the stock S springs. Majority of my driving is in a straight line unfortunately :(, when I do hit a corner I'd like it to handle a little better then stock. I think there are a lot of people that want to lower there car for looks and a slight performance gain, but with minimal sacrifice in ride quality. I think we all know that if we put a spring kit or coilover kit that were going to give up some ride comfort, but I haven't seen a comparison on here that would show good, better, best, or stiff, stiffer, stiffest ride if that makes any sense
It would be nice to know the spring rates of the aftermarkets and stocks, I know its not the only thing that contributes to ride quality, but it would be a good guideline. Any such list floating around here? Thanks!

 

You're right there, MINI relented and "softened up" the sports suspension after that. I have an early build '03 MCS, which came with standard 16" wheels w/ runflats. Switched for OEM 15" Holies w/ nonrunflats and have never looked back. Much improvement in ride comfort with little/no noticeable diff in handling as my daily driver. Bonus was practically new set of wheels & tires cost hundreds less than replacing the OEM runflats, which were wearing out quickly (I've heard that's a characteristic of runflats?).