I've got a MC 04 w/35,000 miles and the ride is a bit harsh over rough road and freeway strips. Has 16" w/205x55 R16's which helped the ride over the stock runflats I had. Rode in a 05 S and the ride was much smoother even with runflats and 17" wheels. What upgrade would give me the best ride? Not looking to track or go for increased handling.

 

A lighter wheel/tire combo will always help, and you can probably lower tire pressure a little bit, within reason.

Also, myself and many others have been very happy with Koni FSDs. They do a nice job of taking the edge off of the bumps

But anyhow, even with FSD's and the holies with OEM Contis (one of the lightest wheel/tire combos you can put on a mini), my Cooper isn't exactly a Sedan DeVille when it comes to ride...

 

Doesn't sound like your MC should be that harsh on ride quality.

Do you think your stock shocks are worn out?
Did you have lowering springs installed earlier and then moved back to stock springs?

Which 205/55-16 tires do you have? How many miles on them now? How much time have you had them? How is the treadwear- is it even or unevenly worn?

Have you had your suspension aligned since you bought your MINI?
You might consider having it aligned to factory specs- just in case toe settings have gotten out of alignment.

Tires vary in ride harshness, some are more forgiving. 205/55-16 is a good size, just keep tire pressure to about 34 psi. If alignment is done and in specs then look at the tires for uneven wear or for an unbalanced wheel (sometimes a wheel weight falls off).

Koni FSD shocks do help. Stock 15" wheels allow for more comfortable tires like 175/65-15 or 185/65-15. Lighter, lower rolling resistance, taller sidewalls and softer construction.

 

The stock shocks could be worn - most stock shocks aren't that great. No mods to the car. Tires only have 3-4,000 miles on them so almost new. Doesn't seem to have alignment/balance problems--runs pretty straight and not any abnormal wear on the old tires. Car has 35,000 on it now. Run 36psi so that's probably not a big factor. The S I drove was MUCH smoother and as I said it had 17's with run flats! Does the Koni FSD make that much difference and is the S suspension that much different?

 

I agree with the other posters that your shocks might be worn. I had an '04 MC with runflats that I replaced with an '06 MCS. The S is a much harder ride. In fact, I just ordered Koni FSDs!

 

You have an 04 MC- with base suspension or with Sport Suspension plus?

The 05 MCS does have a softer suspension than earlier MCS- it was changed due to ride harshness when used with runflats and I don't think the runflat tires themselves were changed much from 2003 to 2005.

So 05 and 06 MCS has a softer ride for an MCS.

Koni FSD is a good choice, esp if your shocks are a bit worn already. Doesn't sound like your wheels or tires are the main factor.

I had stock MCS shocks and upgraded to H-sport springs and within about one year only 10,000 miles my ride quality was getting very harsh. I could have replaced just the shocks with Koni Yellows but I went to coilovers.

Normally how many people are in your MC- what is the load most of the time. The more the load then faster you wear the shocks.

 

Very seldom, if ever, do I have a passenger. Just use the car to run to work and back and errands on the week ends. Seems to me the tires and wheels have been good additions but the shocks could be worn - especially at 35k. Do most of you go to the Koni or Bilsteins?