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MINIAC · Jan 17th, 2002, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike58
At the risk of being pedantic just how much lower is sp susp + than the regular Cooper set up.
The 16" wheels and tyres are def. a popular option even without SS+ and from our deductions would affect the car adversely in two ways 1. taller gearing and so slower acceleration 2. Increase ride height by 25mm which must affect handling. Grip isn't everything.
I had thought (and I'm probably wrong) that SS+ set up was firmer dampers and stiffer anti roll bars I cannot recall any mention of lowering.
My observation is that cars with the 16" wheels do look far too tall.

Actually, the ride height difference between 195/55-15 and 195/55-16 wheel/tire fitments is only 12.7mm, since only half the difference in overall diameters effects the ride height.

I just went back through some old emails and found this from Tech Man at MINI USA:

Quote:

The MINI Cooper with sport suspension has a ground clearance of 113mm (4.5"), while the Cooper S with Sport Suspension Plus has 120mm (4.8").

So, your recollection about Sport Suspension Plus is right on ... it's not any lower than the Cooper sport suspension. The difference in ground clearance is due to the 175/65-15 versus 195/55-16 wheel/tire fitments.

Jan 17th, 2002, 08:02 PM	#9
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 01:20 AM Posts: 8,510 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by mike58 At the risk of being pedantic just how much lower is sp susp + than the regular Cooper set up. The 16" wheels and tyres are def. a popular option even without SS+ and from our deductions would affect the car adversely in two ways 1. taller gearing and so slower acceleration 2. Increase ride height by 25mm which must affect handling. Grip isn't everything. I had thought (and I'm probably wrong) that SS+ set up was firmer dampers and stiffer anti roll bars I cannot recall any mention of lowering. My observation is that cars with the 16" wheels do look far too tall. Actually, the ride height difference between 195/55-15 and 195/55-16 wheel/tire fitments is only 12.7mm, since only half the difference in overall diameters effects the ride height. I just went back through some old emails and found this from Tech Man at MINI USA: Quote: The MINI Cooper with sport suspension has a ground clearance of 113mm (4.5"), while the Cooper S with Sport Suspension Plus has 120mm (4.8"). So, your recollection about Sport Suspension Plus is right on ... it's not any lower than the Cooper sport suspension. The difference in ground clearance is due to the 175/65-15 versus 195/55-16 wheel/tire fitments.