Well it is time to replace the stock shocks on my 2003 S (47K miles) and I am wondering if there is a shock or combination of shocks and springs that will soften the ride somewhat from stock. I would like to retain the cornering so this may not be possible, but I get a little tired of getting beat to death on the roads around here. I adore this car but my fillings are getting loose...

I have read all of the threads I can and I am thinking that maybe the Koni FSD's would be a good choice. I don't autocross, take it to the track or race Sti's. I drive my baby for fun, to commute to work and for road trips.

I am not well experienced in this and any help would be appreciated. I will continue to search the threads on this fine board, but I thought I would ask the question in addition to my reading.

Thanks,
David

 

My 2 cents is if you want more forgiving ride, get different tires. I have 2 2005 MCSs, one bone stock on stock runflats and another with every mod out there. Lowered, coilovers, bigger sway bars, PSRS and with the goodyear GS-D3s it rides SOOO much smoother.

 

Get a Cadillac.

I don't know, maybe I'm just use to the smaller cars, but I have never found the ride to be rough. I'm running the stock 16" runflats.

 

Koni FSD'S on stock springs with non runflat tyres,i dont think you can achive a smoother ride with whats available on the market,however the Knoi's tighten up when you drive brisk through the bends,so it will not mean you sacrifice your cars ability to handle because you are looking for a smoother ride.Do it and you'll never look back.I have this set up on my car.

 

Start with a tire change, that will improve comfort.

Also, don't clench your jaw closed, open up a bit so your teeth won't touch.

 

All,

I should have mentioned that I have swapped out the run flats long ago. I run Yoko ES 100's. That's why I was asking about the FSD's. It would be in addition to the tires. And I guess I could always get one of those soft plastic mouth guards for my teeth........

A Cadillac! You sound like my Dad now Just a little smoother for the Minoo, I don't want to drive around a mattress just yet!

D

 

New shocks at 47K? Like many of the others here, I encourage you to change over to a non-run flat tire one side wall size larger then OEM and buy a donut for the boot. I went from 195/50-16 to 205/55-16.

 

AXC,

Yeah I have waited a little long to change the shocks out. Thanks for the advice on the tires, my Yokohama's are getting a little shallow in the tread. I will look for a sidewall size larger.

If anyone else is running the FSD's I would love to know how you like them.

D

 

David, I don't think you have waited too long to change them. I know many running over 100K on the OEM shocks without issue. What makes you think you need to change the shocks?

 

AXC,

On replacing the shocks, I was just going by what I do with my other vehicles. I own an a Explorer and it blows through a set in about 50K. The car is not springy when I push on the front and it settles quickly after a bump or dip so maybe I am premature on this. I have owned trucks most of my life and my Mini is the first sports car I have had.

You sound knowledgeable to me, what is your opinion on the benefits of a larger rear sway bar say a 19mm or 22mm.

Thanks,

D

 

what build date is your 03? In about may of 03 they changed the springs that came on the car from the factory. So looking into that part number change and simply getting the revised springs would soften the ride one notch.

If I recall, the non sport springs on just a regular cooper swap right in. Double check with the parts guy at your dealer but I would simply install the soft stock spring from a regular cooper.

 

Based on the OP I'd bet your shocks are fine to 80K plus and welcome to a MINI world. As far as the sway bar goes I think you would be fine with a 19MM adjustable on middle setting with stock end links. You will find many threads on NAM about rear sway bars and most have found the 19mm to work very well for street fun and making the drive to work more fun. Please PM with any other questions, as I may not see them here.

 

Planeguy,

Thanks for the heads up, I will check and see the build date for my baby. And are you a pilot? My real sports vehicles are a couple of Pipers, a 2003 Archer III and a 2003 6XT. Now there's some pretty fun stuff!

AXC,

Thanks for the heads up on the shocks and the sway bar, I will PM you with other stuff as it comes up if you don't mind. I'll just keep a good eye on the ride and the suspension.

Grateful for all the help,

David

 

Yeah, I didn't really understand what all the fuss was about until I decided to take the plunge and go non-runflats. There is a noticeable dfference when going over bumps and imperfections in the road! The regular tires absorb more of the shock.

 

I concur - swapping out the run flats made the biggest ride difference.

Regarding original shock question - I'm running Bilstiens w/ stock springs and am very happy with the combo. Car actually deals with road imperfections better, ride is much improved (firm w/out harshness) yet in the corners they really firm up and the car leans less. For street this set-up is working great for me.

 

I have an '02 and my shocks were blown at about 55k but I also ran H-Sports for about 10k before the shocks were completely worn. Your shocks could very well be blown, don't rule that out..

 

I discovered that my stock shocks were blown out at 70K before I replaced them with the FSDs. I thinks that they were actually blown at around 65K.

 

the Bentley service manual recommends testing the struts at 50k. Take that for what it's worth.

As for me, I noticed a degradation in ride quality at about 45k. My MINI is a daily driver over roads in various stages of repair and decay. over the same roads, what used to be stiff and jarring became "crashy" -- I fully expected to see one of the front struts to explode through the hood/bonnet. I had already torn/ripped one of the top strut mounts at 20k (replaced soon after). in any case, the ride was getting really rough at 45k.

So, it depends. I did swap in a set of FSDs at 55k (had to wait till after the winter - too cold to work outside). Kept the stock springs. what a difference! More composed over the rough stuff. At the same time I put in the Ireland fixed camber plates. That helps with the ride, not to mention the cornering.

for the past 20k, I have been pleased with the street performance of the FSDs.

 

Get the FSDs. I absolutely agree with Bahamini and heyduard. (posts 4 and 18). However, the runflats are also an issue for rough ride. Quite a bit before I changed out the FSDs I changed out the tires and wheels. Not only did the weight difference make a significant performance difference, the ride improved greatly. In fact, next to the 15% SC pulley, wheels and tires were the single best overall improvement made in the car. (Next is a BBK from TCE! The 17s will allow a larger rotor)

I have just over 70000 now on the car, I figure that is about its "half life". I hope to take it another 5 years and 70000 at LEAST. And with luck, it will last even longer. I still don't hesitate to make improvements. GO FOR IT if you intend to keep the car for yourself. After you change out the tires and shocks, you won't WANT another car.

For the record, I also have camber plates, but the SPC adjustables set up at -1.8. I just got those 15 months ago. Glad I did. Corners better and with the toe set at 0 tire wear is light and even.

 

Also, here is a great quote from another "Suspension" thread I just ran across. It's from Dr. Obnxs, and it applies to ANY suspension mod:
"There is no "best"...
"Where ever you start, keep track of driving tendancies (the cars, as well as yours) and adjust carefully from where you start. Street vs track isn't really as important as turns vs straight and what you like a car to perform like.

"If this is a new world for you, find a good performance suspension/allignement place near where you live and start working with them."

He is right on.