MINI2

MJS · Mar 18th, 2008, 12:13 AM

Hi guys

I have a good one for you that I can't seem to find a definitive answer on;

We have a Cooper S and Cooper D both with the JCW aero kit on. The Cooper S is fine over speed bumps etc however the Cooper D front bumper catches everywhere and on anything at any speed.

The differences are Cooper S has sports suspension and 18" JCW wheels, the D has std suspension and 16" wheels.
I can't see the wheels making any difference as they must have nearly the same rolling radius as each other and the suspension isnt any lower.

The D went back to the dealer so they could fix it and my wife picked it up, the answer they gave her was because the wheels were a lot smaller and so the car was lower

oh dear, we have fallen at the first hurdle....

I booked it in again for this week but my wife got a call from the service manager at 5pm tonight saying not to bother bringing it in as there is nothing they can do about it and it is a characteristic of the D as it is 15 mm lower then the S!!!

...and fallen at the second hurdle by the sound of things

I have checked the stats on mini uk and both cars are listed to be the same height at 1407mm overall.

So my question is this, has anybody else had the same problem? Or have they ended up modifying the bumper themselves?

Sorry about the long post but it is bugging me and am trying to get to the bottom of it

Thanks all

Mark84 · Mar 18th, 2008, 08:52 AM

total guess but is the dooper engine heavier making it sit lower on the front?

Boro Boy · Mar 18th, 2008, 09:00 AM

Have you checked that the tyre pressure, particularly in the fronts, is not too low? I've got 16"s on my S with 55 profile tyres, and experienced this. I found that they were underinflated, and after bringing them up to 32 PSI, resulted in much less scraping. Especially with the higher profile tyres, underinflation will cause the front of the car to drop down enough so that the lower air deflector (beneath the bumper) scrapes momentarily after coming off a speed hump, etc. This might be why you're not experiencing it in the S with the much less 'give' from the lower profile tyres.

R99 · Mar 18th, 2008, 11:44 AM

Dealer sounds about as much use as a chocolate tea pot.

I'm not sure about the scraping issues, but the suggestion about the heavier engine sounds like it could hold some water.

Have you put them side by side on a flat car park or something to see if there is an obvious difference of ride height?

James.

MJS · Mar 18th, 2008, 12:06 PM

Thanks guys

Both tyre pressures are ok at 32psi. The overall rolling radius of the 16" is 620.9mm and the 18" is 621.2 so only 0.3 mm difference.
I was thinking a heavier engine maybe the cause but surely mini would have compensated for this on a choice of spring? It does look a touch lower, 10mm ish... This is what is causing it to scrape, but I still can't find out why...
Surely an aero kit on a Cooper D shouldn't be catching everywhere? Just wondering if anybody else has had these issues?

carboncrazy · Mar 18th, 2008, 12:13 PM

I have actually posted in an earlier thread about my JCW KIT scraping. My car scrapes small speed bumps at 3MPH, but my ones a COOPER.

Joe

MJS · Mar 18th, 2008, 01:22 PM

sound like the same issue, have you done anything about it Joe?

JpMcC · Mar 18th, 2008, 02:12 PM

I had the same problems with my Cooper on 16s, to solve this I removed the trims that are attatched to the underside of the front bumper, they will fall off eventually trust me lol it's a 15 min job and will solve the issues your having but will not affect the overall look of the aero kit

MJS · Mar 18th, 2008, 03:52 PM

thanks, I have been thinking that but was hoping for an official fix as they must be there for a reason? surely?

carboncrazy · Mar 18th, 2008, 04:35 PM

Firstly it does ruine the asthetics of the aero kit! Secondly they are there for a reason. to deflect air-water-stones away from places it will damage the car.

I knocked one of mine off and broke the other. You'll just have to learn to deal with it and when they break buy a new set for £14.00

.

There was one guy on here that said he filed the inner edge of them away abit that stopped it.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/3328096-post6.html

Joe

The Red Baron · Mar 18th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MJS (original)

thanks, I have been thinking that but was hoping for an official fix as they must be there for a reason? surely?

Yes there probably is, but I normally think of them as an early warning system that I'm approaching speed bunps too quickly!

carboncrazy · Mar 18th, 2008, 05:32 PM

I would agree. Thats how i use them anyway.

Joe

JayM2 · Mar 18th, 2008, 05:58 PM

Softer suspension = more compression (when under load or weight transfer, etc)

Quote: Originally Posted by MJS (original)

Hi guys

I have a good one for you that I can't seem to find a definitive answer on;

We have a Cooper S and Cooper D both with the JCW aero kit on. The Cooper S is fine over speed bumps etc however the Cooper D front bumper catches everywhere and on anything at any speed.

The differences are Cooper S has sports suspension and 18" JCW wheels, the D has std suspension and 16" wheels.
I can't see the wheels making any difference as they must have nearly the same rolling radius as each other and the suspension isnt any lower.

The D went back to the dealer so they could fix it and my wife picked it up, the answer they gave her was because the wheels were a lot smaller and so the car was lower

oh dear, we have fallen at the first hurdle....

I booked it in again for this week but my wife got a call from the service manager at 5pm tonight saying not to bother bringing it in as there is nothing they can do about it and it is a characteristic of the D as it is 15 mm lower then the S!!!

...and fallen at the second hurdle by the sound of things

I have checked the stats on mini uk and both cars are listed to be the same height at 1407mm overall.

So my question is this, has anybody else had the same problem? Or have they ended up modifying the bumper themselves?

Sorry about the long post but it is bugging me and am trying to get to the bottom of it

Thanks all

MJS · Mar 18th, 2008, 08:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by JayM2 (original)

Softer suspension = more compression (when under load or weight transfer, etc)

Yes I know what you mean, but you can be driving over a totally flat road at 2mph with no movement on the suspension and it will still catch.
This theory would work if you did some heavy braking before a speed bump causing the nose to dip and being softer would compress more and further but I don't think this is the cause on this one.

Mar 18th, 2008, 12:13 AM	#1
MJS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lancashire Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 321 Offline	This is a good one.... (Aero kit on Cooper D) Hi guys I have a good one for you that I can't seem to find a definitive answer on; We have a Cooper S and Cooper D both with the JCW aero kit on. The Cooper S is fine over speed bumps etc however the Cooper D front bumper catches everywhere and on anything at any speed. The differences are Cooper S has sports suspension and 18" JCW wheels, the D has std suspension and 16" wheels. I can't see the wheels making any difference as they must have nearly the same rolling radius as each other and the suspension isnt any lower. The D went back to the dealer so they could fix it and my wife picked it up, the answer they gave her was because the wheels were a lot smaller and so the car was lower oh dear, we have fallen at the first hurdle.... I booked it in again for this week but my wife got a call from the service manager at 5pm tonight saying not to bother bringing it in as there is nothing they can do about it and it is a characteristic of the D as it is 15 mm lower then the S!!! ...and fallen at the second hurdle by the sound of things I have checked the stats on mini uk and both cars are listed to be the same height at 1407mm overall. So my question is this, has anybody else had the same problem? Or have they ended up modifying the bumper themselves? Sorry about the long post but it is bugging me and am trying to get to the bottom of it Thanks all

Mar 18th, 2008, 11:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
R99 MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Lakes Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 1,433 Offline	Dealer sounds about as much use as a chocolate tea pot. I'm not sure about the scraping issues, but the suggestion about the heavier engine sounds like it could hold some water. Have you put them side by side on a flat car park or something to see if there is an obvious difference of ride height? James. ::.. 2006 MINI ONE D now with added Aero Kit ..:: --- Lancashire MINI Register ---

Mar 18th, 2008, 04:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
carboncrazy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 225 Offline	Firstly it does ruine the asthetics of the aero kit! Secondly they are there for a reason. to deflect air-water-stones away from places it will damage the car. I knocked one of mine off and broke the other. You'll just have to learn to deal with it and when they break buy a new set for £14.00. There was one guy on here that said he filed the inner edge of them away abit that stopped it. http://www.mini2.com/forum/3328096-post6.html Joe Last edited by carboncrazy : Mar 18th, 2008 at 07:53 PM.

Mar 18th, 2008, 04:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
The Red Baron The Red Baron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Legoland Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 5,000 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MJS (original) thanks, I have been thinking that but was hoping for an official fix as they must be there for a reason? surely? Yes there probably is, but I normally think of them as an early warning system that I'm approaching speed bunps too quickly! LIVE from http://www.miniadventureworld.com

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Mar 18th, 2008, 08:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mark84 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hornchurch, Essex Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 62 Offline	total guess but is the dooper engine heavier making it sit lower on the front?

Mar 18th, 2008, 09:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Boro Boy MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 64 Offline	Have you checked that the tyre pressure, particularly in the fronts, is not too low? I've got 16"s on my S with 55 profile tyres, and experienced this. I found that they were underinflated, and after bringing them up to 32 PSI, resulted in much less scraping. Especially with the higher profile tyres, underinflation will cause the front of the car to drop down enough so that the lower air deflector (beneath the bumper) scrapes momentarily after coming off a speed hump, etc. This might be why you're not experiencing it in the S with the much less 'give' from the lower profile tyres.

Mar 18th, 2008, 12:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
MJS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lancashire Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 321 Offline	Thanks guys Both tyre pressures are ok at 32psi. The overall rolling radius of the 16" is 620.9mm and the 18" is 621.2 so only 0.3 mm difference. I was thinking a heavier engine maybe the cause but surely mini would have compensated for this on a choice of spring? It does look a touch lower, 10mm ish... This is what is causing it to scrape, but I still can't find out why... Surely an aero kit on a Cooper D shouldn't be catching everywhere? Just wondering if anybody else has had these issues?

Mar 18th, 2008, 12:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
carboncrazy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 225 Offline	I have actually posted in an earlier thread about my JCW KIT scraping. My car scrapes small speed bumps at 3MPH, but my ones a COOPER. Joe

Mar 18th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
MJS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lancashire Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 321 Offline	sound like the same issue, have you done anything about it Joe?

Mar 18th, 2008, 02:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
JpMcC JP :-) My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Ireland Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 1,769 Offline	I had the same problems with my Cooper on 16s, to solve this I removed the trims that are attatched to the underside of the front bumper, they will fall off eventually trust me lol it's a 15 min job and will solve the issues your having but will not affect the overall look of the aero kit

Mar 18th, 2008, 03:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
MJS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lancashire Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 321 Offline	thanks, I have been thinking that but was hoping for an official fix as they must be there for a reason? surely?

Mar 18th, 2008, 05:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
carboncrazy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 225 Offline	I would agree. Thats how i use them anyway. Joe

Mar 18th, 2008, 05:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
JayM2 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2004 Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 47 Offline	Softer suspension = more compression (when under load or weight transfer, etc) Quote: Originally Posted by MJS (original) Hi guys I have a good one for you that I can't seem to find a definitive answer on; We have a Cooper S and Cooper D both with the JCW aero kit on. The Cooper S is fine over speed bumps etc however the Cooper D front bumper catches everywhere and on anything at any speed. The differences are Cooper S has sports suspension and 18" JCW wheels, the D has std suspension and 16" wheels. I can't see the wheels making any difference as they must have nearly the same rolling radius as each other and the suspension isnt any lower. The D went back to the dealer so they could fix it and my wife picked it up, the answer they gave her was because the wheels were a lot smaller and so the car was lower oh dear, we have fallen at the first hurdle.... I booked it in again for this week but my wife got a call from the service manager at 5pm tonight saying not to bother bringing it in as there is nothing they can do about it and it is a characteristic of the D as it is 15 mm lower then the S!!! ...and fallen at the second hurdle by the sound of things I have checked the stats on mini uk and both cars are listed to be the same height at 1407mm overall. So my question is this, has anybody else had the same problem? Or have they ended up modifying the bumper themselves? Sorry about the long post but it is bugging me and am trying to get to the bottom of it Thanks all

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Mar 18th, 2008, 08:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
MJS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lancashire Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 321 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by JayM2 (original) Softer suspension = more compression (when under load or weight transfer, etc) Yes I know what you mean, but you can be driving over a totally flat road at 2mph with no movement on the suspension and it will still catch. This theory would work if you did some heavy braking before a speed bump causing the nose to dip and being softer would compress more and further but I don't think this is the cause on this one.