When bought my 2009 MCS did installed TSW springs with OEM shocks. That was a bad idea. Ride was very hard, car was not very predictable at high speeds, rear tires became noise (staggered) and drop was very small.

After 30K miles, just installed KONI FSD with OEM springs. I feel I have a new car!!!!!

 

Thanks for the review. How does the car feel during acceleration and braking? Is the squat and dive gone? What about body lean in cornering and quick transitions left to right?

I thought that I have read past reviews that the FSD increased ride height. Is there any truth to that? I don't see how just a shock would change the ride height.

 

Certainly feels much better during transitions, acceleration and braking. You get the sensation that you have more grip with the road. With OEM, you could take a corner with a bump and felt like you skip part of the road like the car skid sideways. Took the same corner with the new FSD shocks and that didn't happen.

As far as ride height, is the same as the OEM. I had the original measurements before installing the TSW. Height is influenced by the springs.

 

I put FSD's on my 2011 "S" and it has "Sport Suspension" OEM. WOW, What a difference in ride. All the jarring and hops on cement joints is gone. These shocks should be OEM and not the crap that comes on the MINI.

No difference in ride height.

 

I am very close to pulling the trigger on a set of these - I HATE HATE HATE the crashing and slamming over sharp bumps on the utterly neglected roads in Toronto... Crossing the city towards my dentist last week, with a missing filling (I wonder why it fell out... ), really highlighted my NEED for a smoother suspension!

That said, I have read on a number of forums (non Mini though), where a number of FSD owners have complained of a 'floaty' feel at times. This was on DIFFERENT cars from ours, but has anyone had a similar disconnected feel with the FSDs - and if so, was it with the Sport suspension OEM springs?

Thanks'
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I have the "Sport Suspension" and there is zero floating feeling at 100mph (haven't been above that mark) and they handle beautifully in all weather and roads. Long time MINI owners get in my car and comment on how nice the ride is, where before FSD's they would say "Boy this rides rough".

 

Hey Smog,
Have you also ditched the Run Flats? I haven't yet - next summer when the OEM tires are cooked...
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I'm seriously considering, adding a set to my suspension. It's my understanding that they will work well with the H&R sport springs.

 

I ditched the RunFlats the first week. I run a set of Bridgestone AS 960 215x45x17 on Team Dynamics wheels for summer, and a set of Dunlop Wintersport M3's 215x45x17 on the OEM wheels. None of these are RF tires; my RF are in the shop gathering dust with 100 miles on them.

Because I am running the Brembo BBK the added weight of those large calipers and discs works the suspension a bit more I believe but the Koni FSD's handle them beautifully.

 

I did ditched the Run Flats looong time ago. FSDs, like people comment, feels awesome. No floating at all. More control at high speeds. Just a smoother ride...

Koni Yellows are much more rigid. Different purpose. Even in the softest setting.

 

Yes they are different. You can put coilovers on them and lower your MINI, but with the FSD's you cannot do that.

 

FSDs made a huge difference on our '04 S, but on our '08 Clubman S, not so much. I think the factory made some significant changes in those 4 years. Still love the FSDs.

 

Does your Clubman have the "Sport Suspension Package"??

 

Since I installed the FSD the ride is solid and no more crashing and slamming over sharp bumps. Firm ride over small bumps and handling is very composed and stable.

At first you may feel some floating sensation because coming from the dead OEM shocks but it take a day or so for the shocks to settle.