I received delivery of my MCS on 5th July 07. A friend of mine has a R55 'S' with17" wheels, and advised me not to have Sports Suspension as it would be too hard. The dealer also advised the same. So I ordered it with standard suspension.

My MCS is great for normal use, but I find that compared to my previous Civic Type-R it rolls a little on fast meandering roads.

I understand rightly/wrongly that the only difference between standard and sports suspension is
the rear anti-roll bars are thicker.

If this is the case then would I be able to purchase them from BMW and have them fitted :confused:

All opinions/suggestions would be appreciated ;)

The suspension is also firmer as well as thicker front and rear roll-bars. I would imagine it can be done after the original order, but it isn't available as a "retrofit kit". You may be better off going aftermarket, although options are fairly limited just now for the 2nd gen MINI.

Thanks Paul.

The suspension is OK, it's just the matter of the roll-bars.

There is another thread from the USA on a similar topic, the person concerned bought some Alta Sway-Bars (come in 19mm & 22mm sizes, and probably made in the US) said they were excellent.

Problem with fitting aftermarket kits, is the warranty and car insurance problems!

Some dealers will be ok about the warranty, just ask them. Im sure they will say it only voids the warranty on any problems that could be effected by after market bits.

Why not just get some 18 inch wheels ? They would harden things up a little. You could sell your 17's for nearly as much as you can buy the 18's for.

:puzzled:

There's a huge difference between a hard or harsh ride and reducing roll, fitting bigger wheels would not be the solution to this issue by any means.

Since posting this thread I have a theory !

If you get the Chili pack then you get 17" wheels, if the overall wheel diameter increases by 1" compared to the standard 16" wheels you have effectively increased the centre of gravity.

I have 17" wheels and standard suspension but a higher centre of gravity....hence more roll.

Higher centre of gravity more roll, lower centre of gravity less roll.

This is what learnt at school when studying A-Level Physics but it's just my interpretation !

Since posting this thread I have a theory !

If you get the Chili pack then you get 17" wheels, if the overall wheel diameter increases by 1" compared to the standard 16" wheels you have effectively increased the centre of gravity.

I have 17" wheels and standard suspension but a higher centre of gravity....hence more roll.

Higher centre of gravity more roll, lower centre of gravity less roll.

This is what learnt at school when studying A-Level Physics but it's just my interpretation !

Nice theory, except you forgot that the profile of the tyres is lower for the 17 inch inside radius tyres than for the 16's. The rolling radius (i.e. centre of the wheel to the point in contact with the road) is near as damn it the same for the 17's as the 16's because of the change in tyre profile.

:biggrin:

Not quite as simple as that, because if you're referring to the centre of gravity of the vehicle, the increase is minimal (if any) because the tyre height (sidewall) decreases as wheel tyre increases so the overall diameter difference is negligible.

Doh! Beaten to the punch (as usual). :D

Nice theory, except you forgot that the profile of the tyres is lower for the 17 inch inside radius tyres than for the 16's. The rolling radius (i.e. centre of the wheel to the point in contact with the road) is near as damn it the same for the 17's as the 16's because of the change in tyre profile.

YUP ... ride height is actually 2.3mm higher with 16" OEM wheels and tires.

All opinions/suggestions would be appreciated ;)
Fit the JCW Suspension Kit (http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/05/31/r56-jcw-suspension-details-install-pdf/) when it becomes available.

I understand rightly/wrongly that the only difference between standard and sports suspension is
the rear anti-roll bars are thicker.

Sport Suspension (by comparing MINI part numbers) also includes different front struts, rear shocks and spring. The part number for the front bar however is the same as the stock suspension suggesting to me that there's no difference.

The (very expensive) JCW kit is different parts still (struts, shocks, springs and bars) and lists a different front sway (or anti-sway?) bar as well. So there are three completly different suspension sets to choose from.

Fun, huh?

How many other car manufacturers do that?

I test drove the 16" on non-sports and the 17" on sports suspension and found the handling far better on the 17's with sport.............the ride is noticably firmer but much better than my R53 on 15" 175's and non-sport suspension. I found the non sport on 16's rolled a fair bit more in corners where the 17" with sports was almost completely roll free and much more fun to drive. If you can change I would......feels much more like a MINI to me on the Sports suspension:D

That's an interesting reply 'gen2coopers' many thanks.

I'll visit the local BMW Mini Dealer this week and have a chat to them.

I don't sense any roll/sway from the front suspension, it appears to be the rear that's affected !

That's an interesting reply 'gen2coopers' many thanks.

I'll visit the local BMW Mini Dealer this week and have a chat to them.

I don't sense any roll/sway from the front suspension, it appears to be the rear that's affected !


I found the same at the rear also....and a bit but less at the front.
From what had been said on this forum I was expecting the 17's with sports to be a real bone shaker.....no way on earth....its a well damped and firm ride.....exactly how like it.
The 16's with non sport felt a fair bit softer and had a whole lot more roll in corners.....I fail to see the upside with this set up as 16's look a little small in the arches and I tried in vain to find a surface where the ride was unacceptable on the sports set up.
I guess its all personal taste....but the car feels more focused to me on the harder set up.

I have the ss as well and it is no bone shaker due to the progressive spring rate.