Hi, not been on here in a few years since i sold my cooper s, but looking for some advice for my sisters cooper. She has an 03 from new, with sports suspension plus. She hasnt always liked the harder suspension, and her and her husband dont drive the car hard. now living in edinburgh, they cant put up with the teeth rattling ride over the cobbled streets they live in and from the potholes. They are thinking of selling the car unless i can help, which would be a shame as they do like it, and has only done 54000 since new.

I am wondering what would be the best changes to make for a softer ride for them, they are not interested in performance handling, the car does handle great for me on country roads, but they live in town and the car needs to be sofer if they are to keep it. The 1st suggestion to them from me would be to scrap the runflats and go to normal tyres (16" wheels), but i know from my s that i had that it will not give the huge difference to the feel they are looking for.

From what i have read here, the 3 types of suspension, standard, sports and sports plus all have different springs, shocks and front and rear anti roll bars. If this is correct, would changing the springs and shocks out for standard make a huge difference, or would changing the roll bars out for thinner ones, maybe mini one standard ones make a huge difference too? I read that coopers without ss+ dont have rear anti roll bars so would removing this help? I have also read here that later in 2003, mini changed the valving and oil viscosity in the dampers so they were softer, and hers is a january 03 delivery so wouldnt benefit from this.

I have read about the koni fsd's offering better ride quality over bumps, and better handling at speed, but some opinions are there is not that much difference, whereas others are. Still I would not think they are keen to throw a lot at getting new suspension if they are thinking of another car.

Would love to hear from anyone who has changed out their standard suspension, either softer to harder, or harder to softer, and anyone who has changed the anti roll bars and hear their opinions on the differences.

I am thinking option 1 is to change out the ss+ springs and dampers for standard one/cooper units, and remoce the rear anti roll bar and replace the front with a thinner one.

Option 2 would be to go with koni fsd's, with the ss+ springs and maybe do the anti roll bars as above.

If there is anyone looking to stiffen up their suspension and fancies a swap, i can strip it and do that. It would be an easy swap with springs and dampers, and not get the spring compressors out! I fitted leda coilovers to my cooper s, i loved the ride, but not what they are looking for! I know what the change in feel suspension can make, just curious about the effects of changing between standard mini setups, and the differences in bump absorbtion that thinner anti roll bars would make.

I had a 2003 Cooper S (Oct 2003). Changing runflats to non-runflats made the biggest difference but Koni FSD's were also a benefit. Anti-roll bars unlikely to help much in the ride and changing them may upset the handling balance. However what ever you do you will end up with a firm ride and you may spend a lot of money and still not be happy. Probably best to look for a car built with softer set up in the first place.

Thanks for that steve, yes, just changing out the tyres this week and i have ordered some koni fsd's for them so will see how they find it, if it is not good enough then they will change the car, but they have been happy with it apart from the ride for 9 years. The anti roll bars look like a lot of work and it looks like they will make little difference, and i dont think we will bother changing the springs either. Thanks for getting back to me and letting me know your experiences.

Non run flats and koni fsd's should sort the ride on the cobbles. There was also a change in the springs early on to make the ride less harsh, and the non SS+ springs might be another option.

Thanks mike, yes i have changed them for her now, non runflats made a little difference, but they were much happier when i put the koni fsd's on, they say it is way better now, and has transofmed the car. I had a run in it after i put them on and it soaked up potholes much better. the ss+ springs are on and it seems fine on them.