Need some help with my 2009 R56 S with standard suspension. Right now when I hit uneven pavement it sounds like she's being pounded, and when I hit a bump in a corner things get pretty squirrely. I'm going to get a sway bar kit and want it to handle well, but don't want things to get worse from an overly stiff suspension. I don't mind lowering it some. My last MINI was a 2004 R53 MC40 with stock sport suspension and I never had a problem with that.

Any suggestions to keep a decent ride and not mess up the handling?

 

You probably have worn front lower rear wishbone bush failure/wear. Very common and some replace the bushes with poly bushes (I have) to restore good handling.
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/products...29-2626/1.html

No 1 in this diagram

 

That sounds right. I will order the bushings, thanks.

I am still on the hunt for a good suspension package. If possible something more compliant over these rough roads, while improving handling. My car has almost 100k miles and I suspect the struts and shock may be original.

 

Good recommendation above to check the rear bushing on the front control arms and replace with Powerflex. While you're at it, replace the front swaybar bushings with Powerflex since you'll have done 99% of the labor already.

Also your front struts may be dead, Koni FSDs are a popular replacement - do a search.

 

I ordered Koni FSD, h sport rear sway bar, poweflex front control arm bushings, rear trailing arm bushings, and shock top bushings as that was a recommended package by Way from WMW. Can't go wrong with his advice! That would be the almost endgame approach. Best bang for buck would be rear sway bar and front bushings.

 

Thanks. Do you have a 2nd gen model? Standard or Sport suspension? Mine is standard. How do you like the Koni FSD? How does the car handle with those mods? I am considering higher end coilovers, but the cost! Thought about FSDs as well.

 

I drove another members car in my local MINI club, an r56 with sport suspension. Only thing they replaced was Koni FSD. Potholes became less jarring, overall smoothness that i could best describe as a 60% improvement from the feel of my car (r55s stock with sport suspension), and i'd say definitely worth it.

The mods i listed are what i have purchased but not installed yet. Rear swaybar + Koni FSD best combo if maintaining stock height and desiring great street performance with maybe a track day a few times a year. Also, if you go coilovers you have to also get adjustable endlinks and new camber plates as well. Any lowering on the car will result in a little bit more harshness (compared to stock) as i've found out on this forum, no matter how good the coilovers. This is mostly due to the already small amount of travel any shock will have at stock height, cutting that down due to lowering from coilovers is going to require most likely cutting bumpstops. Also your tire and wheel size will affect things and who knows you might need spacers as well with those coil overs and whatever possible aftermarket wheel/tire combo you purchase. Just alot of extra work and alignment so keep that in mind, not to say people dont enjoy that though!

 

Thanks for the info! Good luck with your car. I may end up with nearly the same setup.

 

Looking forward to another post with your completed setup! Feel free to check on my build thread in the MINI Builds subforum for any further ideas or reassurance towards future purchases, seeing other threads helped me do the same. It's what this community is all about! Stay MINI!

 

I just replaced the front control arm bushings with the power flex units. Made a HUGE difference.
While I was at it, added the rear control arm bushings too. These fill the gap on the stock setup so the control arms do not move side to side.

Money well spent.

 

 

I just pulled the trigger on a KW V2 coilover setup with Vorschlag camber plates from Way Motors. I also purchased their hollow rear sway bar and a Powerflex bushing kit. Also got adjustable sway bar links and rear control arms. I decided that a 1" drop or so would look nice.

I had right shoulder surgery a few months ago so I'm not sure if I can install everything myself. Might need to have my local shop do it. I'm still limited to lifting 10lbs. Spinning wrenches might be tough without my strong arm. I see the doc next week so I hope he says I can resume normal activity.

 

If you have a bad shoulder do not even attempt to do the front bushings they are a sob to install unless you have a hoist and the proper tools to remove the factory set up.

 

I watched some videos recently and I will take your advice. Without a lift the job would be ridiculous. Thanks

 

Installed the parts, dramatic shift in balance and cornering. Definitely recommend replacing bushings and such with Powerflex where you can

 

I had my local shop Cooper's Garage install my suspension. It's not even the same car! Handles better than anything I've ever driven. The KW V2 coilovers are great. Way at Way Motor Works knws his MINIs.