[Sootylove]

Hi experts
Does anyone know if there is a difference between cooper and cooper S suspension specs please?

I'm about to buy a 5 door, Cooper, planning variable dampers, wondering if a mere cooper needs sports suspension, you know, for maximum Go-cart Cliche..?

Cheers
Sooty

 

[uke]

Hi experts
Does anyone know if there is a difference between cooper and cooper S suspension specs please?

I'm about to buy a 5 door, Cooper, planning variable dampers, wondering if a mere cooper needs sports suspension, you know, for maximum Go-cart Cliche..?

Cheers
Sooty

No difference. Get the Sport Suspension, you won't regret it.

 

[Angib]

On the R56, the Cooper and Cooper S standard suspension was the same, but the Cooper S ride height was 10mm lower. Anyone know if the same is true for the F56?

 

[uke]

On the R56, the Cooper and Cooper S standard suspension was the same, but the Cooper S ride height was 10mm lower. Anyone know if the same is true for the F56?

I have not measured MCS versus Justa, but MCS vs MCS SS, the height is the same.

 

[Sootylove]

No difference. Get the Sport Suspension, you won't regret it.

Thanks Uke

I like your confidence

cheers

 

[Blat7Chris]

Suspension is a personal preference thing. What one person finds harsh another person will finds sporty. I would test drive both on the roads your are going to use the car on the most. i.e. If i lived in Germany I think I would have a much firmer suspension than I want in the UK.

 

[profiteroles]

Worth remembering is if you get the JCW/Sport packs on the Cooper, you get the sport suspension upgrade for free but you have to ask for it (not selected by default).

 

[uke]

Thanks Uke

I like your confidence

cheers

Not just confidence. I have the SS on my MCS, and I love it. The car is on rails.

 

[Sootylove]

We like rails. Rails is good!

I agree that its all down to personal preference. Mini NZ dont have a SS test drive available. How fabulous. So its actually all down to personal fantasy and guesswork at the moment.
The roads here are pretty mixed, my regular windy route home is definitely bumpy, and I do a bit of gravel driving. On a bad day when my neck is playing up, it doesn't much like those bumps in my Suzuki Swift Sports. The Swift is more like the 2002 Mini that I drove. This new Mini is more refined, so I might get away with the SS

But if I dont like the SS I can always sell the car once the ashtray is full I guess, and get next years model without it.

 

[uke]

We like rails. Rails is good!

I agree that its all down to personal preference. Mini NZ dont have a SS test drive available. How fabulous. So its actually all down to personal fantasy and guesswork at the moment.
The roads here are pretty mixed, my regular windy route home is definitely bumpy, and I do a bit of gravel driving. On a bad day when my neck is playing up, it doesn't much like those bumps in my Suzuki Swift Sports. The Swift is more like the 2002 Mini that I drove. This new Mini is more refined, so I might get away with the SS

But if I dont like the SS I can always sell the car once the ashtray is full I guess, and get next years model without it.

If you have really bad roads, then you might want to go with the VDC option instead of the SS. Or keep the SS and spec 16" wheels. I live on a dirt road, and for 1/4 mile, I feel every perturbation on the surface as I gingerly creep along. If I went faster my fillings would pop out.

On normal roads, you will definitely feel the bumps. I'm used to taut sports suspensions, so the slightly rougher ride bothers me not at all. But some people are willing to give up a little go-cart for slightly more comfort.

My default position is get the SS and maximize the already great handling of the car. But you know your roads. If you don't mind feeling every bump, some more than others, then you'll be rewarded with a cramping face from all the grinning.

 

[Tiger]

If you have really bad roads, then you might want to go with the VDC option instead of the SS. Or keep the SS and spec 16" wheels. I live on a dirt road, and for 1/4 mile, I feel every perturbation on the surface as I gingerly creep along. If I went faster my fillings would pop out.

On normal roads, you will definitely feel the bumps. I'm used to taut sports suspensions, so the slightly rougher ride bothers me not at all. But some people are willing to give up a little go-cart for slightly more comfort.

My default position is get the SS and maximize the already great handling of the car. But you know your roads. If you don't mind feeling every bump, some more than others, then you'll be rewarded with a cramping face from all the grinning.

Good call on the 16s. Roads can be... unpredictable. One of the reasons I wasn't sad I couldn't really afford the 17s on mine.

I personally loved the standard suspension, of course I'm coming from vehicles that are pretty much at the opposite end of the spectrum from a MC... big muscle car, pickup... so the MC seemed like it was on rails to me.

 

[uke]

personally loved the standard suspension, of course I'm coming from vehicles that are pretty much at the opposite end of the spectrum from a MC... big muscle car, pickup... so the MC seemed like it was on rails to me.

Good point. I came from a non-SS R56, so I was already spoiled. But before that I drove a Honda Civic. Moving to the R56 was dramatic. It's great no matter which suspension one gets. But if you are truly enthusiastic, the SS is the choice to make.

If you're really crazy, go aftermarket with coilovers and swaybars. Lower the car an inch or two. 18" rims. If it weren't for my dirt road I'd go there. If I did that now I'd get high-centered every time I left my driveway, LOL

 

[Tiger]

Good point. I came from a non-SS R56, so I was already spoiled. But before that I drove a Honda Civic. Moving to the R56 was dramatic. It's great no matter which suspension one gets. But if you are truly enthusiastic, the SS is the choice to make.

If you're really crazy, go aftermarket with coilovers and swaybars. Lower the car an inch or two. 18" rims. If it weren't for my dirt road I'd go there. If I did that now I'd get high-centered every time I left my driveway, LOL

I tend to keep vehicles for a lonnng time, so I'm sure I'll be ready for the bigass suspension when it's time for a new one... assuming BMW doesn't price me right out of ever buying another one [based on the rumblings they are going to take the MC to even more of a top end, top dollar car].

I had low profiles on my Impala SS for a time... right up until a pothole blew my tire and whanged my wheel out of round. Ever since, I've always liked to keep a little more rubber and air between my car and the unpredictable road surface. And around here, especially on county and city roads, you never know what you're gonna get!

 

[Sootylove]

Great minds think alike, and I was actually planning to get the 16" wheels…
Not only is there that little bit of slack, but the replacement tires are 2/3rds the cost plus more variety available here in NZ. And I prefer the 16" wheel styles to the 17" available here.

No such thing as a sports pack in this country either as far as i know. No mini Ones either, just cooper and cooper s. The cooper starts at a decent spec level tho. So yes, lets go shopping before BMW put the price up.

 

[Tiger]

I was worried about my wheel and tire choice... the 17s look really good and I've been afraid the 16s might look too small. Having just seen some pics of another member's new baby with the same wheels and tires as mine, though, I'm happy as a clam with my picks now.