Hi there. I'm getting an 07 MCS automatic in a few month's time.

I'm getting rather confused on some of the conflicting reports regarding the suspension and so although I know there are other threads on the topic, I thought I'd post my own, give my particulars, and get people's feedback.

I live in Central Florida. The roads are, for the most part, very nice. Paid for with tourist dollars, free of potholes mostly. I work in northern Wisconsin 2 months a year, and the roads there are, for the most part, also nice, although the camp I help run does have a 3/4-mile-long dirt road driveway, and that can get rough. I go up and down that 3-4 times a week. The rest of the year, back in FL, I work about 3/4 of a mile from my house driving down suburban streets.

I am buying a Mini as an upgrade from my Honda Civic. I have kinda maxed out the options, as I like my gadgets. I don't forget using this as a track car aside from maybe attending a meet or two and seeing what I think. It will be my commuter car, my make-the-road-trip-fun traveller car, my daily use car. I have chosen a Mini because I don't need the space, and I want something fun and sporty and the "go-kart handling" really attracted me as something I would enjoy. I like taking the corners fast and feeling the engine take off from stoplights. (No, I don't rev the engine and look for someone to drag race me, however... ;) )

I have purchased the US Sports package, which includes the 17" Crown Spoke wheels and DSC. I have chosen to upgrade the body with the JCW Aero Kit. What I keep going back and forth on and, (after all this reading) my question is: Should I get the sports suspension?

I don't mind spending the money. My concern is the comfort but also the handling. I really want a great handling experience, but I don't want every bump (especially on that camp road) to induce the need for dental work. I'm concerned that by "downgrading" to the standard, I'll miss out on something, but as I'm upgrading from a Honda Civic, maybe the difference will be so large with the regular suspension I won't miss whatever the Sport Suspension has to offer. And that's what I don't know, and won't be able to know until the car is just about here...

So, for those of you who are owners of the '07 MCS, if you can put yourself in the shoes I described, what would you do?

Haven't taken delivery yet, but I would take the sport suspension every time for max fun. I'd also consider a manual gear box....

In contrast I have an R56 MCS with 17" wheels and standard suspension and after over 1000 miles think the ride is quite hard enough. I would not want to have sport suspension. I think the ride is already harder than my Boxster S.

Personally, I agree with Martin F, but my advice would be to try and drive both Standard and Sport Suspension before placing your order and make your own mind up.

It's really difficult to determine people' ride quality preferences. What I can tolerate for ride harshness in the name of handling competence seems to be much higher than most. When some of my friends ride in my car, they cannot stop complaining how rough the ride is, but I rather enjoy the visceral feedback. One person saying 17" wheels with standard suspension is "too rough" will be another persons distress that it feels like a wallowing 1960's Cadillac. Scrogg's advice is best: go drive one [at least a last gen, which is supposedly rougher in general] and determine your level of comfort from there.

Based on your comments however, I'd stick with the wheels you chose and opt for the standard suspension. You can always upgrade the suspension later if you feel it's not aggressive enough, or if/when you get the mod-bug!

I wouldn't try an R50 (53?) as a comparison as the ride quality between them and an R56 is sunstantial.

Well that's kind of my point; if he can almost tolerate an R50 with 17's, then an R56 with 17's will be cakewalk.

Well that's kind of my point; if he can almost tolerate an R50 with 17's, then an R56 with 17's will be cakewalk.

True, but we wouldn't want to put him off a MINI permanently :D

I actually thought the SS+ suspension on the R53 was too soft, and changed out to huge sway-bars, firm shocks, and stiff springs. The handling and steering resolution is fantastic, albeit most people wouldn't be able to tolerate it. Now when I ride in a stock suspension R53 w/ SS+, I think it's squishy and floppy!

Get sports susp. The new R56 version is far more progressive and better at ironing out the bumps than the older R53 version. If you get standard and you were used to civic type R handling you'll be disapointed in the stock R56 susp. Defo get sports.

If you get standard and you were used to civic type R handling you'll be disapointed in the stock R56 susp.

The Civic type-R is not available in the USA.

The standard R56 is not all soft and squidgy. I've only had a test drive so far, but ,it seemed rock solid with excellent ride quality.

I've not read a single review of the R56 where anyone has said the handling was no t up to scratch with the standard suspension.

It is a tough choice, either way, I doubt you would be disappointed.

I recieved this from a Florida Mini aftermarket shop owner who drove the R56 last month. His advice, which I share for the benefit of all, was:


"I was in the R56 last month. I went to the UK in December to check the cars out and determine what we'll be able to do with them. I did take a nice ride in it around downtown London for a little while and came away very impressed with the new car. It is better built than the current model and "feels a lot more together".

The MCS car I was in had the standard suspension. It was a nicer riding car than the current model, with less interior and engine noise. On the suspension, my personal opinion, and that of the sales staff at Park Lane and Westminster MINI, is that the standard suspension is just fine. The Sport Supsenion is much harsher and "will knock your teeth fillings out" as they're saying. I'd suggest getting the standard and adding a rear sway bar (for a lot less than the cost of the Sport Suspension) and your car will handle extremely well, yet give a decent ride. With a short wheelbase car, a stiff suspension can be a real trying experience. Unless you track the car a lot, I'd go with the standard and add a rear sway bar. "


I've ordered my R56 with a limited slip and that's about all (Xexon lights, fogs too)...I'll add the rear bar. I don't think I'll sacrifice anything on the handling of the car and yet retain a decent ride.

...


So I'll be downgrading my order to "standard" suspension. Maybe I'll put the $500 towards comfort access...or that rear sway bar at his shop!

If its $500 for Sports Suspension in the US then thats a bit different as its a no cost option as part of the CHILI pack in the UK. $500 does seem like quite a lot.

I haven't driven a standard suspension car yet I have only driven a car with 17" wheels and sport suspension. I personally found it a lot more comfortable than my current Cooper with 17" wheels and Sports Suspension +. It handled fantastically which is why I went for it.

But i'm not planning to go for aftermarket mods on my car so adding the sway bar is not an option for me.

i have my mcs now with sport suspention and had one from my dealer without it, but i like my own better, it has more straightline stablity and is better in corners, but not so hard as my old r53 mcs, with i drove with the same 18"oz wheels.

next week my car is going to KONI R&D department to test the new FSD system for the R56

Glad you have made a decision on the decision

$500 (it is about the same price in the UK) for comfort opening seems a real waste of money to me. Why not consider something else like better dash trim or the HiFi upgrade?

I already got the Hi Fi upgrade and the Tucsan Leather seats/interior world. I actually was kind of out of ways to add options that interested me, and the Comfort Access was the last thing I cut. I figured I'd just upgrade to the US Convenience Package, since I'd get 3 more options (including comfort access) for the $500. (I have already spec'ed the bluetooth phone connectivity and the autodim rearview mirror, which my parents have in their car and I loved!)

Or save it for something down the road...

so..let's see..in conclusion. the sports suspension is stiffer than the regular?
( i read everything but im still a bit confused sorry. xO )

so..let's see..in conclusion. the sports suspension is stiffer than the regular?
Yes it is. Noticeably so.

If you have nice smooth roads then I'd opt for the sports suspension, I have it on my R56 S.
Its doesnt like potholes so unless you drive in Bosnia you should find it OK....