[TeRbIuM]

Hi guys,

I’m currently the proud owner of a mini one; however, today I finally went ahead and ordered myself a 2008 R56 Cooper S. I decided to go with laser blue and black roof/mirror cap/bonnet stripes; also, I pretty much went all out with extras bar Sat Nav (I even went for the JCW engine upgrade)

Anyway, I’m starting to question the decision I made not to have a limited slip differential and sports suspension. My initial concern was that for motorway driving the suspension would be too stiff; however, I’m now thinking I might change my order.

One thing to mention is that I have a very big build (6 ft 5" and 250 pound rugby forward); I know you may question my decision to even have a mini but after multiple test drives I just can’t fault the car for its handling and great head room. Do you think that sports suspension will reduce the roll of the car going round corners (considering my size)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[caesar]

Hi,

I would definitely specify LSD, at approx' £100 it's relatively cheap as it improves the grip and counteracts torque steer. As regards SS I would recommend it although I did not get it for my June 07 build MCS.

I would also specify DSC as opposed to the standard ASC, it's more sophisticated.

Good luck with your new MCS

[Lawrothegreat]

You might get DSC included dependent on when it is being built / delivered as I understand there are some changes being made soon.

As Caesar says, get the LSD. It isn't absolutely necessary (I don't have it, but I regret not having it) but if you have specified the JCW kit - you would be silly preventing the car fulfilling its potential.

As for the sports suspension this is a difficult one. I had a Cooper with sports suspension plus and loved its sharp handling and what felt like zero body roll. I now have the R56 MCS with normal suspension and while it isn't as communicative as the first gen car, I would hardly describe it as a barge either. I'm sure that it can corner more quickly than my Coop it just isn't such an experience.

[Tara&Paul]

I have a 2007 R56 MCS with the JCW tuning kit and from my experience you definately need a LSD, otherwise pulling quickly away at roundabouts etc in the wet can be difficult.....mucho wheel spinno!

And with the extra power of the JCW kit, sports suspension is also a must have!

P.

[kevkbuk]

SS is no problem for motorway miles IMO and removes the roll present on the standard suspension. I'd always spec it over the standard, but the standard isn't that bad. Changing to standard tyres would help a little with comfort.

An LSD is not required as much as some always post on this forum. The Works kit smoothes the power delivery over the standard car and you can actually get the power down better with it installed. I have the Works kit with no LSD and the only problem you get, if you can call it a problem, is flooring it in the wet. If you treat the throttle like an on/off switch then its a problem, otherwise it isn't. In the dry grip is no problem, torque steer is there but its nothing to worry about like in say an Astra VXR that will change lanes on you.

[caesar]

From what I understand the only difference between SS and the Standard suspension is that the rear roll bar is slightly thicker.

When I ordered my MCS in June 07 it had the 17" wheels and run-flats. As a result I was advised by the Dealer and other MCS owners to go for Standard. I did notice some roll while running in, but this stopped once the suspension had bedded-in. I was told by a reliable source that SS is primarily essential with 16" wheels.

As regards LSD (which I have), does make a considerable improvement in traction and overcoming the effects of torque steer. The demo I tested did not have LSD and torque steer was very evident whereas it's not on mine.

[Matt FT]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

As regards LSD (which I have), does make a considerable improvement in traction and overcoming the effects of torque steer. The demo I tested did not have LSD and torque steer was very evident whereas it's not on mine.

Agree - I've speced LSD with my new clubman. The torque steer without it was just shocking.

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

From what I understand the only difference between SS and the Standard suspension is that the rear roll bar is slightly thicker.

Thats incorrect, the SS suspension is harder than standard so has at least different springs if not shocks too.

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by kevkbuk (original)

Thats incorrect, the SS suspension is harder than standard so has at least different springs if not shocks too.

This was discussed on another thread last year, evidently the part no's for the front and rear shocks/springs are the same for both, but the rear roll bar has a different number.

[TeRbIuM]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ive altered my order to include the LSD; however, i've left the suspension as standard. After spending some time on the forum and other review sites it seems to be agreed that if you have 17" run flats the standard suspension is slightly better. Anyway, now i just have to wait for delivery...

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

This was discussed on another thread last year, evidently the part no's for the front and rear shocks/springs are the same for both, but the rear roll bar has a different number.

I don't think the bar alone would change the overall ride so much on its own...

Anyway, here's a good discussion of the options:
MotoringFile » Archive » Ask MF: Which Suspension for the R56?

[Lawrothegreat]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

I did notice some roll while running in, but this stopped once the suspension had bedded-in.

Agreed, I found the same with mine.

[cristo]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

From what I understand the only difference between SS and the Standard suspension is that the rear roll bar is slightly thicker.

not true

Quote: Originally Posted by kevkbuk (original)

Thats incorrect, the SS suspension is harder than standard so has at least different springs if not shocks too.

true springs, shocks, and bars (front and rear)
check out on realoem.com

[caesar]

What I did initially find with my MCS + Standard S was that on bumpy surfaces the front end.would 'skate about'. Then I switched on the Sports mode and it was transformed, no more skating on poor surfaces and immediate throttle response.

I do not regret in any way the decision NOT to have Sport S, and that is after owning a Civic Type-R !!!

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by TeRbIuM (original)

Thanks for the replies guys. Ive altered my order to include the LSD; however, i've left the suspension as standard. After spending some time on the forum and other review sites it seems to be agreed that if you have 17" run flats the standard suspension is slightly better. Anyway, now i just have to wait for delivery...

Good decision on the LSD and if you're not happy with the standard suspension you can always upgrade to the JCW set-up at a later date!

[caesar]

To cristo and kevbuk,

What applies to the Non-UK versions may not apply to the UK, and vice versa.

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

What applies to the Non-UK versions may not apply to the UK, and vice versa.

True, and I don't have a definitive answer so I can't argue. However I have driven both setups and the standard suspension feels softer sprung all round than the sport. Having a different rear roll bar shouldn't effect the feel of the car at the front much if any, for example over bad roads and speed bumps where only the front axle would be involved initially.

If your the kind of person who specs the JCW kit I'd guess you'd want sport suspension also, but hey we are all different. Oh, and don't forget the JCW suspension kit will set back around a grand!

[caesar]

Where I live in the UK and the state of some of the roads, then if the front suspension was any harder then I would rather walk !

Possibly if I did not have run-flats, the front suspension might be softer. If I added the JCW engine kit then I might consider replacing the rear roll-bar......or the sway-bar as it's called in the USA.

At present I am content with the Standard suspension because it functions OK.

[JohnWB]

The sports suspension on the R56 MCS is not as hard as the SS+ on the later R53 MCS plus the overall suspension feel on the R65 is more refined. So I would say, go for the sports suspension if you drive enthusiasticaly and that you will not find it too hard

[EZC]

I think Sport suspension is ok.
We have so much pot holes in the area but I perosnally dont think too hard when I feel in one.