I am looking to improve the ride of my 12 Countryman S. I hate the bump steer and rough ride over bumps and joints in the road. When the road is smooth so is the ride but when it's rough....its rough. I'm not looking to make it into a go cart since its my daily driver and I sometimes have clients with me. I don't mind to drop it if the new springs and shocks will give me what I want. I know there are a few spring choices and only 1 shock option and then megan coilovers. Thats probably what my budget will allow. The question is which products should I get to get the best ride?

 

Same issue for me, hard to believe we are so limited in suspension choices. Bilstein shocks are $1000 which seems like a lot. Maybe I'm out of touch with prices.

 

Bump ride got alot better after changing to non run flat.

 

I got rid of the run flats about a year ago. It did make a big difference but it still feels like the suspension is overly hard.

 

My suggestion: Ditch the run flats and buy a Caddy for your cleints.

 

Here again with this issue.
Best 'handling' mod for the buck: KONI FSD struts and a heavier rear sway bar. Best resource is Way Motor Works. They have the KONIs on sale for a little less than half price. They work just fine with OEM springs but can not be used with lowering springs. For that you want the Yellows. But, before all that, ditch the runflats.

 

Run flats have been ditched for a year now. AND I thought Koni's didn't work with the Countryman.

 

I only run the 17" all season stock run flats for the winters in Ct.
For the last 4 seasons I've been running 19" NM Eng. RSe14 with Conti3 tires for the summer...but it's still a tough ride on the bumps, heaves and crappy roads of CT. Highways and smooth roads can't beat the ride. Seriously thinking on downsizing to 18's...hoping that will improve things....not sure though. Time for new tires...so this would be the time. Either that or get into a much smoother ride for a vehicle for the old guys bones.

 

I hear ya flyer53. Im seriously considering a mazda cx5 grand touring. They still handle well enough to be fun but dont beat ya up. As it is my tires are 18" conti dsw‘s on Breyton gtrs.

 

No run flats, the bigger the rims the harsher the ride, the wider the rims idem, the lower the section of the tire (55-50,45,40) the idem...
And of course between the brands there are enormous differences= I prefer summer tires from Michelin or Continental.

 

Thanks for making me laugh!

 

And then you would be on 19's.

 

True but it still rides better. Either way, if im keeping the countryman what should i do? If there is someone who has tried springs and megan coilovers id love to know the differences in ride.

 

coilovers on the softest setting is almost ALWAYS a firmer ride....look at doing a rim/tire swap...then maybe shocks imo.
getting rid of runflats is like loosing a full rim size...but doing a 1 inch minus on the rim size, AND regular tires WILL change the ride and keep much of the handling....not all...but pretty good compared to other cars...

 

So what kind of situation would i have if I only swapped out the shocks and struts with either the bilstein hd's or tourings? I saw tirerack has the tourings relatively cheap. Has anyone replaced just the shocks and struts?

 

Anyone?

 

I think new springs helped with the bump steer. Also, I found out that these cars are set with a toe out alignment which helps turn in but also causes the car to get pulled around by every little thing in the road. Doesnt bother me, I'll take the turn in benefits, but maybe you could change the alignment.

 

I shouldn't but I will...


This reminds me of a true story . Guy bought a brand new Jeep on a Friday and Took it four wheeling over the weekend. Monday he shows up at the dealership, the Jeep is covered in Mud and the owner is complaining of rattles and wind noise from the soft top.


I've owned 4 Mini's and many others in my 40 yrs plus of driving. For better or worse they are Sports cars\sedans\coupes. Short wheel based engineered for sport driving and handling. They have never been advertised as anything else. Changing out the runflats for a set of non runflat tires with decent sidewalls ( meaning 16 or 17 inch tires not 18-20's) is the most you can do. If you try and soften the ride or change the alignment you wont then like the handling and may make the car dangerous.

 

^this. The ride and handling is what the Mini is all about. Don't modify the ride, sell the Mini and buy something more suited for what you want. There are many comfortable riding cars out there that are also considered more reliable.

 

I understand what you all are saying since this is not my first MINI. However, on my R56 I changed to NM springs and Koni yellows and got better handling with a MUCH improved ride. Yes MINI's are sporty cars and aren't intended to ride like a Cadillac, but if there is a way to get rid of some of the bump steer and the harshness at broken pavement and expansion joints I'd like to know.