Suspension difference between models?

Sootylove said:

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

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

Angib said:

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?

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

Sootylove said:

Thanks Uke

I like your confidence

cheers

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

Sootylove said:

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.

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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 said:

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.

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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