MINI2

Prowse · Nov 29th, 2006, 09:56 PM

AutoCar's review of the new S today states that the S rolls somewhat in corners, which is what I spotted in the early video's. So, I guess you do need the sports suspension if you want to keep things flat.

Is this why it's a more comfortable ride, just 'cos it's softer still???

mike58 · Nov 30th, 2006, 10:51 PM

I have ordered sp susp but with skinny tyres
I will post asap how it feels
My guess is a hoot with this setup..
Lots of grip but not too much .. NO roll and when grip is overcome ,, slidey catchable fun.
Or I will crash .... again

Camp-Freddy · Jan 23rd, 2007, 07:39 PM

Just wondering if anyone specced the sports suspension and regretted it?

mike58 · Jan 25th, 2007, 08:01 PM

Had the car a fortnight now and the sp susp and skinny tyres are wonderful.

You get the extra compliance with the tall sidewalls ( 65% aspect ratio) which adds to the comfort AND the nimble responsive handling a mini should have ...

No regrets here as the 17" shod demo Cooper S was SO fidgety in a vertical ie. up and down plane that it was not pleasant.

Be different try stiff and skinny !!

KenL · Jan 25th, 2007, 08:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mike58 (original)

Be different try stiff and skinny !!

People are too vain, wanting BIG wheels for the looks to know what's best for them

mike58 · Jan 25th, 2007, 08:15 PM

That's why it's cool to be different....we know what's good !!!

I did try the big wheel ( 17s) with my old mini and noticed a massive difference ( comfort) when I got rid of the runflats and puton Toyo T1- tyres , but I had more FUN with the thin trye setup and so it is again with my R56.
I can't see the chasm of space between the tyre and wheelarch when driving !!

robble · Jan 28th, 2007, 01:54 AM

hmm maybe size 205/75R18 ? *laugh* that should fill up the wheel wells..

robble · Jan 30th, 2007, 05:32 AM

looking at the new 2007 official product brief for the dealers today, it said sports suspension gives thicker swaybar. it didn't say anything about stiffer springs or different shocks...

Ryephile · Jan 30th, 2007, 02:24 PM

Yea it's been a struggle to actually find out what the sport suspension is. I have a feeling it's just sway bars. The old SS+ on the R50 platform cost $500, however with the new money-making R56, different dampers, springs, and swaybars would violate the new business ethos, which sucks for us.

Just about every media review I've read says the sport suspension has firmer everything, but I haven't seen anything in MINI's official documentation that mentions the sport suspension is anything beyond "bigger" swaybars.

Olly. · Jan 30th, 2007, 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryephile (original)

Yea it's been a struggle to actually find out what the sport suspension is. I have a feeling it's just sway bars. The old SS+ on the R50 platform cost $500, however with the new money-making R56, different dampers, springs, and swaybars would violate the new business ethos, which sucks for us.

Just about every media review I've read says the sport suspension has firmer everything, but I haven't seen anything in MINI's official documentation that mentions the sport suspension is anything beyond "bigger" swaybars.

Here is a couple of paragraphs from the press release that was issue way back in July when the car was first announced.

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI Press Release

Chassis and Sports Suspension.

As with the first generation, spring and damper settings tune the chassis and suspension setup of the new MINI Cooper S to be firmer and more dynamic than the MINI Cooper. As an option both models are available with an identical Sports Suspension setup, comprising harder springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

Front-wheel drive, a low centre of gravity, a long wheelbase, wide track, short body overhangs, a stiff bodyshell and the firm suspension all interact to determine MINI’s unique go-kart feeling.

The front axle is based on the McPherson spring strut principle and features an anti-roll bar to reduce body sway to an absolute minimum. The central-arm rear axle is new to MINI and unique in this segment. Its longitudinal track control arms are made of aluminium that reduces weight by 6 kilos over the former model.

Benefiting from the sophisticated kinematics of the new suspension, the wheels offer improved grip over even more extreme cambers. The rear axle is supported by an anti-roll bar on both model variants making a decisive contribution to the car’s famed agility, poise and safe handling.

The full press release is here - http://www.mini2.com/article388-excl...se-images.html

Ryephile · Jan 30th, 2007, 02:37 PM

Why is that not mentioned on MINIUSA? Then again, it wouldn't be the first time MINIUSA's website is wrong.

ayilar · Jan 30th, 2007, 07:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mike58 (original)

Had the car a fortnight now and the sp susp and skinny tyres are wonderful.

You get the extra compliance with the tall sidewalls ( 65% aspect ratio) which adds to the comfort AND the nimble responsive handling a mini should have ...

Mike: This is the exact setup I was thinking of, with 16" S-Winders to minimize the unsprung weight (from pictures, it looks as though they ought to be lighter than the other choices in 16-in).

Two questions:

(i) Which wheels do you have do you have on yours, and did you pick Summer or all-season runflats?

(ii) How does your setup work on crappy roads, compared to the standard suspension with 16 inchers?

cristo · Feb 13th, 2007, 12:58 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by robble (original)

looking at the new 2007 official product brief for the dealers today, it said sports suspension gives thicker swaybar. it didn't say anything about stiffer springs or different shocks...

According to the realoem site, the R56 Sport Suspension has
a 23.5 mm front bar and an 18 mm rear bar, whereas the
regular suspension has a 21.5 mm front and a 16 mm rear (same part number
here as the 1st Gen SS bar).
They also list different strut part numbers for the regular vs. sport suspensions.

realoem doesn't list spring applications, but I'd be willing to bet they're different
for the Sport vs. the regular.

Edit : the above is true for the Cooper
The Cooper S has a 22.5 mm front and 17 mm rear bar as non-sport suspension.

Pentagon · Feb 13th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by aislingf (original)

I am now thinking of waiting to test drive on the 18th and deciding then, even if it means pushing the build week on further

Don't get the sports suspension, the ride is beautiful without ( on 17's)

rec · Feb 13th, 2007, 01:23 PM

contradictory, get the sports suspension cos it owns.

car feels so much more sure footed i've found :]

Trotti · Feb 13th, 2007, 01:56 PM

I've just noticed that sport suspension is no longer a no cost extra.Mini now charge £130 for it.

rec · Feb 13th, 2007, 04:18 PM

SS was NEVER a no cost option...
it's free with the S, and then there's a charge to up to the SS+. but it's always been a £130 option on the Cooper as I specced mine way back in October last year and paid for it.

devaisl · Feb 13th, 2007, 04:24 PM

Well guys, I started this thread way back in November - good to see the debate still going on!!!
I decided to go with the standard suspension in the end with 17" wheels (I thought they looked the best) and I am very happy with my choice. While the car does'nt stick to the corners as much as with the sports suspension, the comfort of the ride is great so I am happy with that trade-off

MiniMpi · Feb 13th, 2007, 04:32 PM

I agree Aisling.
I did the same,Standard suspension with 17" Crown Spokes.
Very happy with it.
Way better than my ONE which had the 'Soft' standard suspension on 16" Alloys.
Fergal.

Paul · Feb 13th, 2007, 05:17 PM

If you want a compromise I'd go 16" and sports plus, that's probably the "ideal" OEM setup. I have 17" and SS because it's part of the chili pack.

Jan 25th, 2007, 08:09 PM	#45 (permalink)
KenL MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edinburgh Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 5,259 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mike58 (original) Be different try stiff and skinny !! People are too vain, wanting BIG wheels for the looks to know what's best for them Red/Black R56 Cooper

Feb 13th, 2007, 12:58 PM	#53 (permalink)
cristo BLIKSEM (my brg/brg mc) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: york, pennsylvania Local Time: 09:19 PM Posts: 2,182 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by robble (original) looking at the new 2007 official product brief for the dealers today, it said sports suspension gives thicker swaybar. it didn't say anything about stiffer springs or different shocks... According to the realoem site, the R56 Sport Suspension has a 23.5 mm front bar and an 18 mm rear bar, whereas the regular suspension has a 21.5 mm front and a 16 mm rear (same part number here as the 1st Gen SS bar). They also list different strut part numbers for the regular vs. sport suspensions. realoem doesn't list spring applications, but I'd be willing to bet they're different for the Sport vs. the regular. Edit : the above is true for the Cooper The Cooper S has a 22.5 mm front and 17 mm rear bar as non-sport suspension. Last edited by cristo : Feb 14th, 2007 at 01:23 PM. Reason: correction

Feb 13th, 2007, 01:23 PM	#55 (permalink)
rec Not a happy bunny. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Scotthall MINI Often Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 1,222 Offline	contradictory, get the sports suspension cos it owns. car feels so much more sure footed i've found :] Got an R56 ? Flaunt It ! http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...st-ya-r56.html

Feb 13th, 2007, 01:56 PM	#56 (permalink)
Trotti How much! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Newport Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 77 Offline	I've just noticed that sport suspension is no longer a no cost extra.Mini now charge £130 for it. Out there

Feb 13th, 2007, 04:18 PM	#57 (permalink)
rec Not a happy bunny. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Scotthall MINI Often Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 1,222 Offline	SS was NEVER a no cost option... it's free with the S, and then there's a charge to up to the SS+. but it's always been a £130 option on the Cooper as I specced mine way back in October last year and paid for it. Got an R56 ? Flaunt It ! http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...st-ya-r56.html

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Nov 29th, 2006, 09:56 PM	#41
Prowse MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lancs Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 1,481 Offline	AutoCar's review of the new S today states that the S rolls somewhat in corners, which is what I spotted in the early video's. So, I guess you do need the sports suspension if you want to keep things flat. Is this why it's a more comfortable ride, just 'cos it's softer still???

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Nov 30th, 2006, 10:51 PM	#42 (permalink)
mike58 MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: uk, Glasgow Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 201 Offline	I have ordered sp susp but with skinny tyres I will post asap how it feels My guess is a hoot with this setup.. Lots of grip but not too much .. NO roll and when grip is overcome ,, slidey catchable fun. Or I will crash .... again

Jan 23rd, 2007, 07:39 PM	#43 (permalink)
Camp-Freddy MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Local Time: 03:19 AM Posts: 27 Offline	Just wondering if anyone specced the sports suspension and regretted it?

Jan 25th, 2007, 08:01 PM	#44 (permalink)
mike58 MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: uk, Glasgow Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 201 Offline	Had the car a fortnight now and the sp susp and skinny tyres are wonderful. You get the extra compliance with the tall sidewalls ( 65% aspect ratio) which adds to the comfort AND the nimble responsive handling a mini should have ... No regrets here as the 17" shod demo Cooper S was SO fidgety in a vertical ie. up and down plane that it was not pleasant. Be different try stiff and skinny !!

Jan 25th, 2007, 08:15 PM	#46 (permalink)
mike58 MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: uk, Glasgow Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 201 Offline	That's why it's cool to be different....we know what's good !!! I did try the big wheel ( 17s) with my old mini and noticed a massive difference ( comfort) when I got rid of the runflats and puton Toyo T1- tyres , but I had more FUN with the thin trye setup and so it is again with my R56. I can't see the chasm of space between the tyre and wheelarch when driving !!

Jan 28th, 2007, 01:54 AM	#47 (permalink)
robble MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Local Time: 03:19 PM Posts: 144 Offline	hmm maybe size 205/75R18 ? laugh that should fill up the wheel wells..

Jan 30th, 2007, 05:32 AM	#48 (permalink)
robble MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Local Time: 03:19 PM Posts: 144 Offline	looking at the new 2007 official product brief for the dealers today, it said sports suspension gives thicker swaybar. it didn't say anything about stiffer springs or different shocks...

Jan 30th, 2007, 02:24 PM	#49 (permalink)
Ryephile Deals Gap Junkie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Metro-Detroit Local Time: 09:19 PM Posts: 430 Offline	Yea it's been a struggle to actually find out what the sport suspension is. I have a feeling it's just sway bars. The old SS+ on the R50 platform cost $500, however with the new money-making R56, different dampers, springs, and swaybars would violate the new business ethos, which sucks for us. Just about every media review I've read says the sport suspension has firmer everything, but I haven't seen anything in MINI's official documentation that mentions the sport suspension is anything beyond "bigger" swaybars.

Jan 30th, 2007, 02:31 PM	#50 (permalink)
Olly. Overboosting..... Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 3,562 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Ryephile (original) Yea it's been a struggle to actually find out what the sport suspension is. I have a feeling it's just sway bars. The old SS+ on the R50 platform cost $500, however with the new money-making R56, different dampers, springs, and swaybars would violate the new business ethos, which sucks for us. Just about every media review I've read says the sport suspension has firmer everything, but I haven't seen anything in MINI's official documentation that mentions the sport suspension is anything beyond "bigger" swaybars. Here is a couple of paragraphs from the press release that was issue way back in July when the car was first announced. Quote: Originally Posted by MINI Press Release Chassis and Sports Suspension. As with the first generation, spring and damper settings tune the chassis and suspension setup of the new MINI Cooper S to be firmer and more dynamic than the MINI Cooper. As an option both models are available with an identical Sports Suspension setup, comprising harder springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Front-wheel drive, a low centre of gravity, a long wheelbase, wide track, short body overhangs, a stiff bodyshell and the firm suspension all interact to determine MINI’s unique go-kart feeling. The front axle is based on the McPherson spring strut principle and features an anti-roll bar to reduce body sway to an absolute minimum. The central-arm rear axle is new to MINI and unique in this segment. Its longitudinal track control arms are made of aluminium that reduces weight by 6 kilos over the former model. Benefiting from the sophisticated kinematics of the new suspension, the wheels offer improved grip over even more extreme cambers. The rear axle is supported by an anti-roll bar on both model variants making a decisive contribution to the car’s famed agility, poise and safe handling. The full press release is here - http://www.mini2.com/article388-excl...se-images.html

Jan 30th, 2007, 02:37 PM	#51 (permalink)
Ryephile Deals Gap Junkie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Metro-Detroit Local Time: 09:19 PM Posts: 430 Offline	Why is that not mentioned on MINIUSA? Then again, it wouldn't be the first time MINIUSA's website is wrong.

Jan 30th, 2007, 07:55 PM	#52 (permalink)
ayilar MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Local Time: 09:19 PM Posts: 19 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mike58 (original) Had the car a fortnight now and the sp susp and skinny tyres are wonderful. You get the extra compliance with the tall sidewalls ( 65% aspect ratio) which adds to the comfort AND the nimble responsive handling a mini should have ... Mike: This is the exact setup I was thinking of, with 16" S-Winders to minimize the unsprung weight (from pictures, it looks as though they ought to be lighter than the other choices in 16-in). Two questions: (i) Which wheels do you have do you have on yours, and did you pick Summer or all-season runflats? (ii) How does your setup work on crappy roads, compared to the standard suspension with 16 inchers?

Feb 13th, 2007, 01:18 PM	#54 (permalink)
Pentagon MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cotswolds Local Time: 01:19 AM Posts: 64 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by aislingf (original) I am now thinking of waiting to test drive on the 18th and deciding then, even if it means pushing the build week on further Don't get the sports suspension, the ride is beautiful without ( on 17's)

Feb 13th, 2007, 04:24 PM	#58 (permalink)
devaisl MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mighty Midlands! Local Time: 01:19 AM Posts: 235 Offline	Well guys, I started this thread way back in November - good to see the debate still going on!!! I decided to go with the standard suspension in the end with 17" wheels (I thought they looked the best) and I am very happy with my choice. While the car does'nt stick to the corners as much as with the sports suspension, the comfort of the ride is great so I am happy with that trade-off

Feb 13th, 2007, 04:32 PM	#59 (permalink)
MiniMpi MINI MAD in IRELAND <div><a href= Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cork,Ireland. Local Time: 01:19 AM Posts: 809 Offline	I agree Aisling. I did the same,Standard suspension with 17" Crown Spokes. Very happy with it. Way better than my ONE which had the 'Soft' standard suspension on 16" Alloys. Fergal. It's a MINI Clubman adventure!

Feb 13th, 2007, 05:17 PM	#60 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 02:19 AM Posts: 46,127 Offline	If you want a compromise I'd go 16" and sports plus, that's probably the "ideal" OEM setup. I have 17" and SS because it's part of the chili pack. Trained Monkeys - New Fiat 500

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