I guess the good news is:

1) My car, with the sport suspension/sport package, corners like it's on rails.
2) I'm in no danger of developing kidney stones, because continued sharp blows from road bumps is no doubt pulverizing them in advance.

The missus and I are both getting a little tired of the harsh ride, and are willing to sacrifice a little cornering crispness in the name of a smoother ride. Is it possible to back off on the shock preload, or will it require new shocks altogether? Also ... will tires/wheels that are higher profile help smooth out the bumps?

TIA.

 

I don't think the sport suspension is adjustable in any way, but I'm sure there's someone out there with regular suspension that would love to trade you.

Higher profile tires may help a bit, but I doubt it will solve your issue.

 

I would recommend getting off the Run-Flat tires. That would really help your ride.

 

What happens when you get a flat? I suppose I'll need to carry a fix kit?

 

when i was on my sport suspension + on my car (r53 but same rules/parts apply) i switched to non runflat tires and ran on 16" rims to get a taller sidewall. my ride was considerably smoother.

 

I have the stock R56 MCS shocks and springs for sale if you're so inclined.

 

I have a cooper spare that I put in the car for long trips.

 

I went with higher sidewall tires in my other car (Subaru Impreza STi) because the ride is nothing short of brutal but that change alone didn't help a whole lot. Buying a set of variable rate springs will be more effective. Mach V and TSW sell them. Also if you still have the runflats on the car, switching those to non-runflat will help a lot.

 

Better ride? Go with 15" wheels.

 

Although I'd love to sell another set of springs, I don't think ours will make the ride more comfortable. It won't be worse...but if you're looking for a plusher ride, I'd go with the smallest diameter wheel you can get, and I'd buy or trade for a non-Sport suspension. The non-Sport shocks are a little more supple, and the springs are softer. The sway bars are a teeny bit softer, too, although you won't usually notice that.

The MINI is never going to be a Lincoln Town Car, though. There's only so much you can do...the car doesn't have much suspension travel, so it HAS to be a certain amount of firmness.

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

Hold out until Koni FSD shocks become available.

 

I notice the stiffness of the sports suspension much more with my head against the headrest.

Maybe adjusting the seating position will help.

 

The switch from runflats to non-runflats was enough for me. Nice change.

 

cool ... thx for the input. when my tires wear out i'll probably transition to something softer and see what that does to me. in the meantime i'll just endure the kidney shots. ; )

 

I'd be happy to trade my stock suspension setup. If you're ever interested let me know!

 

indeed! I changed my run-flats on the first week, normal tyres will change your riding comfort a lot.

 

NEW INFORMATION (not completely restatements of the above!)

1. Timing: If you're already tired of the ride, you need to make a change and it can be reasonably cost free. If not, you'll tire of the CAR first, and well, that'd be too bad.

2. If you have 17" wheels, even if you go for a softer 17" tire in a 215/45/17 (Avons from Tire Rack) it'll still be pretty stiff. Get on the NAM Marketplace section and trade for someone who has stock mini cooper non-S 16" wheels/tires. I drove the stock Cooper (07) on a 725 mile trip recently and was VERY impressed with the ride and quiet on stock OE 16" and the newer generation of runflats they have. Just the above change may take care of you, and should be cost-free. You will probably find someone to trade. If that isn't enough...

2: Try non-runflats: Call Alex at the Tire Rack to hook you up. He KNOWS Mini tires, had a Mini, and serves this community well. Check also in the "tire and wheel" section under Minis in General for more information than you'll ever need.

3. If that's still not enough, again there may be a reasonably cost-free option: Get on Marketplace and offer to trade your MCS Sport suspension for a stock Cooper suspension. Your MCS Sport suspension is worth more to someone, and if you find a true enthusiast you can exchange labor, jackstands, etc. You won't even need a spring compressor. and by staying OE you won't affect your warranty. GUARANTEED this will cure your "too harsh" feeling. Again, on my 725 mile trip in the stock MC, I was quite
impressed by the stock suspension compared to my R53 (2006) Sport suspension on 17" Pirellis (and as well on 16" Dunlop Wintersports, and 16" OE goodyears). It doesn't really give up anything in control - you won't be disappointed - and is far more supple - not harsh, still sporty, but very in-control.

Your last option is to rent a Grand Marquis (the De Sade edition is preferred). That will push you back into the MCS faster than you can say boo.

Hope this helps!

 

Really you best bet as other people mentioned, go to the 16s and non runflats. There are plenty of comfort tires thatll help, but that will also reduce your cornering crispness. I would suggest for anyone else reading this really evaluate whether you need the sport suspension or not. I ran my stock once in autocross and was fairly impressed, the sport would probably help a little but i would doubt there would be too much of an improvement short of adjustable damping. The regular A suspension is a very good balance and BMW did a great design job with it, dont go for the sport suspension unless you are really serious. My previous car had coilovers I put on and the mini really cant match that crispness but it seems to come close in overall grip and doesnt give me a headace on the dailydrives.

 

dixon, chill ... great input. sincere thanks for the info.

a few important points:

1) "tired of the ride??!!!" you gotta be @!#!@ing me. the mini is the most fun i've ever had on four wheels (i'm a lifelong two-wheeler). every time i drive that car it puts a stupid grin on my face. didn't know a car could do that.
2) i really like the crisp handling and would rather not sacrifice that.
3) i can wait 'til the tires wear out, for reason #1.

thanks again to you both ... and for the others who have stepped forward to help a newbie.

 

Well, you did title the thread "Sport suspension is killing me ..."

 

Agreed with pastabatman on that one... no worries, mister "SportSuspensioIsKillingMe"
Glad I could be of assistance!

You seriously won't sacrifice anything - the 2007 non-S suspension with OE runflats was easily as "precise" as my 2006 S on 17" BBSs with Pirelli stiff-a$$ed runflats, actually better in many ways... It just wasn't as kidney-busting harsh! DOn't get me wrong - I really like my 2006. It definitely "skitters" a little more than the '07s I've driven (both the S and nonS, on track and off). The '07S and '07 non-S are both quite supple, leading me to think your 17s are the main culprit, and changing to 16s (through an exchange facilitated b y the Wheel and Tire Classifieds in NAM's Marketplace) would do you quite well. I know I really like when I change from my 17's in summer to my 16s in witer - same precision, better tracking, and quieter with 16'x. It has to do with tires, yes, but mainly contact patch size and shape and slip angle - beyond that it's too technical but the tire rack website gives some good guidance.

Only point on waiting until the tires wear out is this: Given it's a FREE option (no net cost), why wait? Why put up with a "killing you" ride any longer than you need to? I saw a billboard once - "Don't Pospone Passion"... especially when it's FREE... and the grin factor is the same or better!

Have a great weekend...

 

He doesn't need an MC owner to switch with, an MCS owner that for some reason wants the god awful heavy crown spokes (in comparison to the light S-winders) would work also.

 

My wife couldn't stand the harsh ride of my 2003 MCS, so when it was time to buy her MINI, she opted for a Cooper with 15" wheels and the standard suspension. Her MINI is much much more comfortable and still handles nicely when it has to.

 

Did you miss "the missus?"

 

Regarding the confusing dichotomy of "pain" and "pleasure" when driving my car ... I can only assume you've never hear the John Mellencamp song, "Hurts so good."