what difference is the sport suspension option than not having it? and would it be a big difference upgrading it to aftermarket one?

 

I'm not sure what level of detail you're looking for, but what I can tell you is that I've heard the non suspension is good for comfort, the jcw suspension is good for aggressive driving, and the sport suspension tries to do both but ends up doing neither very well.

That said, I don't have a problem with the sport suspension on my MCS.

 

Bilstein HD's are a BIG upgrade. Yes, I know, I sound like a broken record, but I give the same answer to the same question until I get new factual information that changes my mind.

As you are in PA, drop in at the TVRCCNA "Out of The Woodwork" show next Sat. and I'll give you a ride in mine. 30th year of our show and convention.

 

I have the sport suspension on my MC. With non-runflat tires the handling and ride are perfectly balanced for both street and autocross.

 

Does the factory sport suspension on the S lower the car at all? On most cars; BMW, Porsche etc, the sport option also lowers the car slightly.

 

The JCW suspension would lower the car a little bit, but not the sport suspension package that's offered for $500 from MINI when you order the car.

 

if you plan on getting aftermarket suspension dont bother with sport suspension.
I got the sports package back when they offered it which gave me 17s, sports suspension, and lsd.... and now ive changed my wheels and suspension entirely. Could have used that money for other things.

 

Even my 20-year-old son finds the sports suspension tedious on my Cooper - on the rougher suburban roads, speed humps, etc.
I went for the standard suspension on my new S, and it's WAY better. It's still firm enough for spirited back-road driving too - in fact, because it's more compliant, I think it's actually better than the sports suspension - doesn't jump around so much on the bumps etc. Running an Alta 22mm bar on the rear and need just a touch of negative camber at the front and then it will be just nice. A little soft in direction changes on tight, twisty roads - I have to wait fractionally for it to settle - but much better for everything else. IMHO .

 

i am actually looking for technical info on sport suspension...
i got my 2011 CS with sport suspension because, well, it was called sport suspension.

info i am looking for is sway bars diameter, spring rate, dampening, etc.

to tell you the truth, the sport suspension feels quite balanced at least on the snow tires (drove the run flats for grand total one day).

thx for the info!

 

i got a 2011 justa and i upgraded to jcw cooper s suspension, and BOY I TELL YOU what an upgrade lol definately a difference in ride quality and 10x mor fun around the corners, next to do is the rear sway bars hopefully when the taxes come around!!! im hype already lol

 

You can find the factory specs for things like sway bar diameter here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/. Covers standard, sport and JCW, if you read carefully through the sections on alternatives for each component. It probably doesn't show rates though (I haven't looked).

 

I agree. This is my first of 4 MINIs not having sport suspension. I'm surprised that I'm actually happy with my suspension. I still haven't done serious twisties yet but my '11 MCS hardtop eats up the curves and twists I have taken so far just as good as my previous vehicles. After some runs this year, I will be able to evaluate it better. Even though I'm very aggressive on these MINI runs, I'm hoping I won't get the desire to upgrade because I just love the ride now. I guess I'm just getting old.

 

Not old - wiser! I'd like to hear how you find it after a few runs...