Anybody knows if there is any difference between (a) the standard Cooper S suspension and (b) the Sport Package suspension on a Cooper S? Specifically on a 2008 Cooper S.
I drive a 2008 Cooper S without the Sport Package and it looks a bit high for my taste. The car has 16" tires (195) in case this makes any difference….

 

iirc from when I bought mine and this was one of the items I was picking between, the sport suspension includes a slightly larger rear sway bar and the wheels are upgraded to 17". Seems like there was maybe one or two other differences. I opted to go non-sport suspension. Again, iirc, everything that was included in the sport suspension option were items that could be upgraded via aftermarket fairly easy (unlike some other options that were available).

If the ride height is an issue for you, I think you'll have to go aftermarket to lower it.

 

The sport package on the 08 includes the sport suspension. Now (2010) the sports package does NOT include the sport suspension (makes PERFECT sense to me).

Sport suspension includes bigger sway bars, different shocks, and different springs. Ride height is not changed.

I really like it, really reduces body roll.

 

Thanks for the responses! Given the fact the Sport Package suspension does not change the height of the car, is its possible that my car looks a bit "higher" because of the wheels diameter? In other words, do you think if I were to get bigger (i.e. 17") wheels and wider tires (i.e. 215 with) it would look better?

 

Better is going to be subjective, so hard to say. Going with a bigger wheel/tire combo will increase the ride height slightly. But, it will also fill in the wheel well more which may create a bit of an illusion that it is not up so high.

 

Thanks jcauseyfd! You are absolutely correct, whether the car would look better or not with bigger wheels/ tires is definitely subjective. However, I like the idea of bigger wheels/ tires filling more space. Also, the wider wheels should make the tires stick out more, right? (Although I think spacers may also be used for to create the illusion of wider wheels/ tires…)

 

Wider wheels does not always mean it will have a wider stance. It depends what the offset is. Lower the offset = wider stance.

 

Thanks banggoo! This is all new to me, so I am glad I asked! I assume the offset has to do with the wheel and not the tire itself, correct? If so, is there any recommended offset for Minis?

 

Tire Rack has a good explanation on what offset is:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...sp?techid=101&

I run +45 offset with my 17x7.5 Rota RB's and my previous factory Crown wheels are +45 offset. I have a two finger gap with no rubbing under full load. With different offsets you have to watch out for rubbing. That all depends on your ride height and suspension, and tires. Some people run really low offsets if you look around the forums. Some people will roll and shave fenders to prevent rubbing with slammed rides.

 

Please post some pics of your Rota RB wheels.

 

LOOK better. OK.
But slower and bad milage. Moving the mass ( metal rim) out further increases the inirtial mass and causes slower acceleration and more "work" to do. Rougher ride too, and we need all the help we can keeping the tread on the road. I am sticking with light weight 16's myself. Quite a fer tuner mag tests have put numbers to this. ( I guess they have to test as we don't teach basic science in school anymore)
Want more grip? Buy better tires, add some negative camber. Dreaming? wider 16's with less offset.

 

Please post pictures of your Rota RB's! What size tires do you have on?