Is Koni making the FSD's for the R56?
I could not find them on their site?

Any other similar product, looking to further improve ride quality...

 

Ditch the runflats. I went from the stock 16s to non-runflat 18s and have a softer ride. That said, the FSDs would be nice. Probably just a matter of time

 

A tire with a softer sidwall will help ride quality for sure. Tires act as springs just like the springs on the suspension. A stiffer sidewall tire acts like a stiffer spring. Soften the spring up a bit and it iwll soften the ride a bit. Be aware though, the car has an extremely short wheel base which is the main reason for the rougher ride. Short wheel base cars will always ride more roughly than longer wheel base cars.

Tony

 

FSD is out for R56, anyone try it yet?

 

They sell it at NAMotorsports.net in CT. Ask for Nick, he's a great help!

 

I bit the bullet and ordered a set of FSDs for my R56 Cooper S. Ordered them from Tire Rack. They're on backorder until May 5th. I have my Mini lowered with Mach V springs. I'll report back after I get them and get them installed.

 

I have them on now. Love them!! Keeps the lowered look with the Mach V springs and "evens" out the ride. No more bumpstop bangs, easier ride over crazy interstate potholes. Makes the ride nice enough that I think my wife is not going to be yelling "OUCH!" all the time we hit a divot in the pavement.

All in all, I think it's the best investment I've made to date on the Mini.

 

How have they affected handling?

 

I don't think the handling is compromised at all. It took maybe ten minutes to get used to the "feel" of the road through the new Konis.

 

Yea, i meant doesn't it handle quite a bit better?

 

Sorry. I thought that was a given.

 

well yea but ya gotta give specific details...

 

It feels like the whole tire is on the road now, not just the edges, in spirited cornering. I've been having cupping issues in my tires with the stock shocks. Feels safer, feels more responsive, and also feels a bit more stable in the cornering.

 

We have sold a few sets of these for the R56 and some happy customers. This is something we keep in stock and all Koni parts are on sale until June 30th, 2009.

http://www.namotorsports.net/detail....cd/KO2100.4099 - Koni FSD Shock Absorber Kit for Mini Cooper / Cabrio / Clubman (incl. S models) - $768.99 with free shipping

 

Hi Tennman,

can you tell me how does it feel on rough road compare to before? does it absorb more than the stock and is it bumpy?

 

I see you have a MCS. Did you opt for the "Sport Suspension" part of the Sport Package? I was told these springs are a quite bit stiffer than the MC springs.

I'm considering a set of FSD on stock MC springs.... My priority is handling performance.

 

i got it installed today..................very good....my way home is very bumpy....after all, it's very comfortable.............haven't tried corning yet.... it would feel better if i dump the runflats....

 

I've been running FSD's on my R52 for about a year now. Really like them vs. the OEM sport struts. They smooth out the hard edges of everything but you can still feel the contours of the road. May give up a *little* flatness in cornering... but the feeling is that the tire is kept in more constant contact with the road around rough corners, so a little less understeer as a result.