Mini Cooper 2007-2013: Shock Absorber Reviews and How to Install

This article applies to the Mini Cooper (2007-2013).

The shocks play a critical role in both the comfort of your Mini Cooper and the stability of it. When your shocks start wearing out, they could start leaking oil, so any signs of oil leaks on either shock means it is time for new shocks. The best way to test your shocks is to go to the corner of the car, push down on the car, and watch it bounce. If it goes down and then goes back to the original position right away, then your shock is in a good shape, but if it bounces a few times, then you have a worn shock. Read on to learn how to replace your own shocks in the Mini Cooper, then continue reading to learn about the most popular brands for your car.

How to Replace Your Shock Absorbers

Rear Shocks

Step 1 – Raise the car

Before raising the car, loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you will be working behind, then raise the back end of the car up. Secure the car with at least two jack stands, which go in front of the rear wheels since you are working on the rear shocks. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.

Step 2 – Remove top bolts

The rear shocks are inside the coil spring; if you look deep inside and up, they are held in place by two bolts, which are bolted to the top. Use your socket and an extension if you need to and remove the two bolts.

Step 3 – Replace shock

Remove the two lines connected to the shock, you can do so by just prying them up. Remove the lower bolt holding the bottom of the shock in place. To remove the shock, you have to drop the whole shock down, given the car is raised high enough, then turn it backwards to clear it. Install the new shock the same way by inserting the top through the suspension components, then feed it through. Install the two top bolts first, then compress it to install the lower bolt.

Front Shocks

Step 1 – Raise the front of the car

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you will be working on, then find the jack points and raise the car. Secure the car with at least two jack stands, then remove the wheel.

Step 2 – Disconnect sway bar link

Use your wrench to disconnect the sway bar link attached to the front shock. You don't have to disconnect both sides, just the side connected to the shock.

Step 3 – Disconnect tie rod end

Secure the bottom of the control arm in place by placing the jack under it. Use your 16mm socket to disconnect the tie rod end's nut.

Step 4 – Free strut assembly

Remove the two bolts on the bottom of the wheel housing, which are holding the ball joint to the wheel housing. Start lowering the jack until you free the bottom of the shock. You may need to pull on the control arm downwards as you lower the jack.

Step 5 – Remove lower bolt

On the bottom of the shock, there is a bolt, also known as the pinch bolt. Use your socket to remove it, which is the last thing holding the bottom of the shock in place.

Step 6 – Remove shock

Open the hood and locate the three studs on top of the front shock, in the engine compartment. Use your socket to remove all three nuts, then pull the shock and the coil spring, which is attached to it, out from the bottom. Install the new shock. If you need to separate the shock from the coil spring, you need to compress the spring with a set of spring compressors, then remove the nut in the center holding them in place and then reassemble the spring and new strut.

From there, it's a matter of sliding the strut assembly back into the wheel well, tightening the three nuts atop the strut tower, sliding the base of the strut back into the knuckle and reinstalling the pinch bolt, reconnecting the end link and brake lines, and then refitting the wheel to the car.

Featured Video: Mini Cooper Coil Over Installation

Shock Absorbers Review

When it comes to shock absorbers, you can get overwhelmed with the amount of options you have on the market. Depending on your driving style, your driving needs, and the modifications you have done to your Mini Cooper, there are different brands for different purposes. Whether you want to take your Mini Cooper to the track and you want it to be stiff and stable, or you want the ultimate comfort when going over bumps on your way to work, there are shocks for everyone. Read on to learn what is the best brand for your needs and budget.

Koni Yellow Sport

Price – $688

Adjustable – Yes

Ride Quality – Firm

Lowering Springs Friendly – Yes

Warranty – Lifetime

The Koni Yellow Sport is the ultimate shock for a modified Mini. This is fairly priced for a shock that is adjustable, as well as a shock that can handle lowering springs. These shocks are designed for the Mini driver that is seeking performance, which is why they aren't the most comfortable shocks; however, they can perform far better than your OEM ones. These shocks feature an adjustment knob, which control the shocks' rebound adjustment. This allows you to tune your handling depending on the type of driving you are doing. So if you are on the track, you may want to make it a bit stiffer, and if you are driving on the road, you may want to make it softer so you enjoy the drive more. These shocks improve the handling of your car, and although the ride quality is reasonable, some customers don't even notice the difference in ride quality, so it is still comfortable. Recommended if you are looking for performance shocks.

Koni FSD

Price – $665

Adjustable – No

Ride Quality – Smooth

Lowering Spring Friendly – No

Warranty – Lifetime

These shocks are designed for the ultimate comfort. Some enthusiasts adopt this brand as their favorite, stating it combines the perfect combination between comfort and firm, without having to readjust anything. If you are looking to lower your Mini Cooper with aftermarket springs, these shocks are not for you. They are not designed to handle the pressure of lowered springs, so if you already have your car lowered, consider the Koni Yellow Sport. These shocks feature "FSD" (frequency selective damping) technology. Inside these shocks there is a hydraulic valving system, a new technology designed to enhance the active ride control, which modifies the ride quality to perform on all different road types, without having to do anything manually. Recommended if you are looking for comfort.

Bilstein HD

Price – $582

Adjustable – No

Ride Quality – Stiff

Lowering Spring Friendly – Yes

Warranty – Limited Lifetime

The Bilstein HD are the heavy duty shocks, and although they are not adjustable, you can still use them with lowering springs, as they can handle a lot of tension. Bilsteins are largely known for their firm ride, offering a solid, Germanic feeling. With that in mind, the Bilstein HD can probably outlive most shocks on the market, so you should feel safe going over bumps and potholes, you are more like to break other components before you can alter these heavy duty shocks. This shock is considered very close to the Bilstein Sports, and the only difference is that the sport is designed to be a bit firmer and allows the car to sit lower. Recommended if you are looking for durable, heavy-duty shocks.

OEM

Price – $300

Adjustable – No

Ride Quality – Floaty

Lowering Spring Friendly – No

Warranty – 1 Year

If you liked your Mini when it came out of the factory, you will like the OEM shocks. These shocks are designed to be as basic as possible, which gives you a good combination of a firm ride as well as a comfortable one. These shocks are not recommended on the track, unless you like to go slow. Also, if you are looking to make your Mini Cooper more comfortable, consider spending extra money for an aftermarket one. These shocks are not adjustable nor do they work with lowering springs. If you use your Mini Cooper as a daily driver, these shocks will do the job very well. However, if you like to have fun with your car, maybe it's time to upgrade to something else. In the end, you can't go wrong with this price tag. Recommended if you're looking for a stock feel.

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