We bought my wife a Mini S new in 2007 and immediately added Mach V springs to give it the correct ride height. We kept the OEM shocks. The ride is harsh. Would replacing the OEM shocks with Koni yellow shocks do anything the improve the ride? She currently has just over 25,000 miles on the Mini. TIA.

 

The Konis are stiffer than stock (even on their softest setting), but probably would offer better control.

 

One thought I have (& it may be faulty) is that the Koni Yellows are made to be mated with lowering springs whereas the OEM ones (in most likelihood) are not.

 

I have TSW springs, which appear to sit about like yours does. I first put them on stock shocks (mine was the sport options). Ride was harsh. I then picked up a set of normal Cooper S shocks, and added the shorter bump stops from WMW. Ride improved a bit, especially in the rear.

Then I put a set of yellows on, and have them set to the softer side. Still using the shorter bump stops. Ride got significantly better. I'm happy with the car now. It is always going to be a 'sporty' ride, not going to ride like an SUV.

In my opinion, having the Koni yellows with the TSW springs rides better than my car was when it was stock with the sport suspension.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Exactly what I was looking for Mike! She is due for tires so I'll do the Koni Yellows and the new tires at the same time. Many thanks.

 

Going away from runflats can also help out by improving the ride. There are other threads here that give peoples opinions on different tires.

Have fun,
Mike

 

When we bought the car I drove from the dealership to the tire shop and had Michelin Pilot Sports installed. I did the same thing with a 2011 BMW I bought. I will not have a car with run flats. I put Michelin Super Sports on the BMW and like them. They will be the next tire on the Mini.

Also, thanks for the heads up on the short bump stops. I didn't know they had such a thing and it makes sense that they should be used.

 

Try these, specifically designed to work with the Koni's:

http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_Products_Mini.htm