Let me preface this by saying that I have no idea how reasonable, practical, or wise an idea this is. I just bought a new 2005 Cooper to replace my 2003, and I really dislike the dramatically softer ride that it has. Compared to my old car, I feel like I'm getting the road feedback that I'd expect from an Accord. Neither car has the SS+ suspension.

My understanding is that this is due to a change that MINI made in the shocks (or the oil inside the shocks) somewhere around the changeover to the 2004 model year. Assuming that there were someone willing to make this deal with me, what sort of work (i.e. labor cost) would be involved in trading shocks with someone who drives a 2003 Cooper? What is the average lifespan of shocks? And might I be better off going aftermarket on this, and selling my brand new shocks (600 miles on them)? I'm not looking for anything super-stiff, just comparable to my 2003 Cooper. I thought that was just right.

MINI is really killing the spirit of this car.

 

Aw gee, Chris! I know that the 2002s have a much stiffer suspension than later MINIs. YuccaPatrol's and koolmini's 2002-built 2003s have much stiffer suspensions than Wanda's March-built 2003. I wonder if mine is cushier than your 2003? Good luck, sweetie!


Clover

 

Mine was built September 2002. I didn't realize that they had softened it up more than once. Lame.

 

Average lifespan... on stock springs I would say about 50k miles...
(mines 17.5k miles and still working great with h-sports)

It's kind of a pita to change the dampers, why not just go aftermarket and
throw in some lowerings while you're at it? :smile:

 

I've got 76,000 miles on the stock (early, stiff) suspension. It's still going, passes state inspection and all that, but I'm at the dealership right now getting the JCW suspension kit put in.

Give MINI of Peabody a call... perhaps you can get my old struts for your car?

[edited - 76,000 miles not 67,000]

 

My personal opinion is that the only way swapping to used struts/shocks makes sense is if you are doing the work yourself and the used parts are very cheap. If that is not the case, I'd suggest going with new parts, whether they are 2003 spec, JCW or aftermarket.

 

didnt realize they made the change more than once!

otherwise, i swapped my 10/02 build S stock suspension for eibach springs and konis... the combo made the car corner much flatter, ride is bumpy, and it feels like the car takes off when going over some REAL bumps we have in toronto, shox.com currently has the combo for 775, not a bad deal at all

 

That's what I figured, but I just thought I'd ask someone who actually knew... i.e., mighty NAM.

I'll wait to install my rear sway bar until I figure out which way to go with this. Time to use that good old search function...

Thanks everybody!
Chris

 

Sorry Chris, when MINI of Peabody asked if I wanted to keep my old springs and struts. I could have had some freebies for you, but, I spaced.

 

No problem, I appreciate the offer anyway, but it looks like aftermarket will be the way to go. If I'm going to spend the money for the work to be done, might as well get some higher quality equipment in there.