Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone had this issue before, my mechanic is trying to fit the FSDs on to my 02 Cooper but he said it wouldn't fit properly because the shocks are an inch and a half short and the sway bar link is different.

Your input is much aprreciated! Thanks!

Randy

 

ir your car ws built before 03/03-the front sway bar mounts ARE DIFFERENT on the very earliest cars.

 

ah man... = (

Tirerack said... For models produced on or after 03/02. Front sway bar mount is attached to the strut housing.

So it's actually the year 2003 February not 2002 March???

Mine was built on April 2002...

 

not the first time i have forgotten the correct year-but-it still sounds like yours has the earlier suspension mounts

 

Well this just sucks.
I have an 05/02

 

Ditto.
I have an 08/02.

I was leaning towards the FSDs, but was also considering JCW.
Will the JCW suspension definitely fit my car?

 

No, the change in the front struts was definitely March '02. I know for a fact that my June '02 built MC had the second gen strut assemblies (still sitting on a shelf out in my garage).

It's a stretch for the little gray cells, but I seem to remember that when some of us were starting to mod already later in '02, there were reports of a few cars supposedly built in Mar and Apr (and maybe even May) of '02 found to have the earlier suspension bits. I can't personally confirm any of those, it's just something I read on one or more of the forums.

 

Damn! What a **** off! My car is in pieces right now and I have the wrong dampers. Paid tax and customs for nothing! I have to wait for another week and a half for the Koni Yellows to come in.

Tirerack said... For models produced on or after 03/02.

I really wish they specified. I thought I had the right ones because my make was 04/02

 

I just checked my Bentley manual and it also says 3/2002 was the turning point. I know, there are mistakes in the Bentley manual.....it's accuracy is suspect. So, check out these links from realoem.com. I hope I get these right.....

Realoem says Feb 2002 built cars have this front strut assembly <click it> and Mar 2002 built cars have this one <click it>.
-------------------------
I have my fingers crossed about those links.....if they don't lead you to different diagrams and parts lists, go to realoem.com yourself and check out the differences between Feb 2002 and your own (Mar 2002 or later) build date. When you get to the front axle suspension page you'll see both assemblies pictured, but if you click on one it will give you a parts list while the other will come up with "no parts found matching your car" -- which is which depends on what build date you use.