[Blackpug]

My wife has a Cooper Sport and I have a Cooper S Sport. Both cars are new. The ride on my S feels harder than the Cooper. Are the two cars set up differently?

 

[Snufkin]

My wife has a Cooper Sport and I have a Cooper S Sport. Both cars are new. The ride on my S feels harder than the Cooper. Are the two cars set up differently?

Do either of the cars have adaptive suspension? It can make a big difference to how the car feels.

 

[anonemouse70]

Tyres can make a difference - anything on run flats will feel more crashy/firm than non run flats. There is certainly a difference between models in the Mini range, my wife's Cooper D hatch is much firmer (feel every bump) than my Clubby Cooper S (has a bit more give).

 

[Blackpug]

Both cars are not on runflats. Both have the adaptive suspension. I think the S must be beefed up due to the heavier engine.

 

[RockCrusher]

Both cars are not on runflats. Both have the adaptive suspension. I think the S must be beefed up due to the heavier engine.

A quick search for MINI and MINI S weights has the weight from 2712lbs to 3144lbs. A difference of 432lbs which is rather substantial to be sure. But don't think the difference of the base and S is that much. My 2023 S 2-door hatchback weighed in at just over 2800lbs and my 2023 JCW isn't but a few pounds more. The S was equipped with the 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission while the JCW has a 6-speed manual.

Are both cars running the same size of wheels/tires?

 

[Snufkin]

A quick search for MINI and MINI S weights has the weight from 2712lbs to 3144lbs. A difference of 432lbs which is rather substantial to be sure. But don't think the difference of the base and S is that much. My 2023 S 2-door hatchback weighed in at just over 2800lbs and my 2023 JCW isn't but a few pounds more. The S was equipped with the 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission while the JCW has a 6-speed manual.

Are both cars running the same size of wheels/tires?

According to the Mini website the weight difference between the Cooper and the Cooper S is about 50-60kg (approx. 110-130lbs) so really not as much an issue as some people make out. I suspect the wheel size is a bigger issue.

 

[Blackpug]

Both have same wheel and tyre size