If you had rough roads and potholes everywhere, and you had the Sport Suspension w/17" and Runflats, what would you do to soften the blow just a bit for the least cash?

 

Hmmm... maybe trade someone who didn't get the sport suspension but has wondered about having it ....

Lose the run flats if you can. It might not be the coolest choice to degrade to 16in... I'd say the run flats would be easiest considering the pain it would be to buy a set of taller, less stiff springs and install them yourself, ...

my .02

 

Without changing the suspension...ditch the runflats. You'll notice a large improvement in ride quality.

 

Yeah, I'm heading in the 'ditch the RF' direction now. Michelin PE2's appear to be in my future. Just out of stock nationwide, so will search.

What a sucky tire, the Dunflop Runflats. Never again.

 

I thought the "sport suspension" option on the S was only thicker anti-swaybars. If so, it shouldn't adversely affect the ride quality.

Would agree on ditching runflats, and possibly going with 16" wheels if so inclined.

 

the shocks also have a different part number, so are probably stiffer.
The change to non runflats really does make a difference though.

 

hop on a classic Mini forum and you'll hear the raging against people running 13's vs. the better handling 10's. The old rule of thumb is that you'll get the sportiest handling with the smallest wheels & tires you can fit (while giving up some of the straight line stability and touring car looks from the wagon wheels).
16's are definitely the smallest you can fit on an R56 MCS and they don't look disproportionate at all once you've installed a set of springs or coil-overs to tame the SUV rideheight.
Sport suspension is different shocks, springs, and swaybars, they're all slightly stiffer than the non-sport, but very mellow compared to any of the aftermarket performance parts. If I was to re-order now, I'd get the base suspension and put the $500 I spent on it, plus the $225 for my Eibach springs towards a set of adjustable BC coilovers whenever the R56 versions ready and an adj. rear swaybar.