Cooper S ride - how to improve?

[Els]

Hi, we have just purchased a 2006 Cooper S Cabriolet with JCW tunning kit fitted and 17" alloys with run flat tyres. The car is fun and cool around town, yet on a long run today down country roads I felt every pot hole and uneven surface as I drove at increased speeds!

Having read posts I am unsure how to change the ride going forward, if we switch to longer journeys, do we fit standard tyres or change the shocks to KONI FSD?

The power is amazing, so we obviously need the right tyres to suite!

My other worry is my wife coping with the exceleration in speed as the car is so sensitive, although she seemed fine friving in her UGG boots!!!

Great car and fun, feels like a Kart! and a nice change from the family SUV,

cheers Els

[Bmont82]

Non runflats should be your first change. Also if your not set on 17's switch to 16 or 15, those will make a huge improvement. I'm in the same boat as you, I hate that my MCS sounds like its going to fall apart on even slightly bad roads. I'll be keeping the 17s but switching to standard tires when mine are shot.

[mab01uk]

As said non-runflat tyres will make a big difference, replaced all the 205/45/17 Pirelli Runflat tyres on my MINI with Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 215/40/17 non runflats (same overall diameter)...............cheaper, much smoother ride and far better grip and handling than the runflats with stiff sidewalls.

However you can only fit a space-saver spare on the Mini Ones and Cooper, with the Cooper S you need to carry a can of puncture repair stuff from Halfords or similar as the battery and twin exhaust get in the way.

[Els]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

As said non-runflat tyres will make a big difference, replaced all the 205/45/17 Pirelli Runflat tyres on my MINI with Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 215/40/17 non runflats (same overall diameter)...............cheaper, much smoother ride and far better grip and handling than the runflats with stiff sidewalls.

However you can only fit a space-saver spare on the Mini Ones and Cooper, with the Cooper S you need to carry a can of puncture repair stuff from Halfords or similar as the battery and twin exhaust get in the way.

Would a space saver fit in the boot ? Just an idea as we don't need the boot as we have a SUV for shopping, Kids and stuff! thanks

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Els (original)

Would a space saver fit in the boot ? Just an idea as we don't need the boot as we have a SUV for shopping, Kids and stuff! thanks

Photos of the spacesaver wheel here:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-ty...are-wheel.html

Only a 115/70x15 so should fit in the boot ok.

[tcbw]

You need lightweight 16's with 195/55-16 non run flat tyres and Koni FSD's from Lohen. But I find it easier out of town, with all those potholes, manholes, steel plates, cobblestones, tramlines etc in town.

[eenie]

Quote: Originally Posted by tcbw (original)

You need lightweight 16's with 195/55-16 non run flat tyres and Koni FSD's from Lohen. But I find it easier out of town, with all those potholes, manholes, steel plates, cobblestones, tramlines etc in town.

First get rid of the runflats. Switch to 205x16 s and stick a tiny air compressor in the boot that runs off the lighter. Any flat you get will be a slow leak you can pump back up till you get to a gas station. I made these changes in my 2005 S convertible. It now has 97,000 miles and is greatest car I've owned in 50 years (yes!) of driving, racing, etc. HATED the #%!! Dunlops that came with it, switched to 205 Yoko Avids (infinitely better) and recently to Yoko Envigors which are far better yet-- better ride, grip, mileage, etc. Most of my mileage is back road and highway. I drive 18 hours at a stretch from Fla to Texas to Vermont regularly, and its always a joy. Ride still a BIT bumpy around town because of sport suspension but that's a decent tradeoff for me. MPG still 28-30, brakes lasted 82,000!
Only real complaint with the car is a weird one: Windshield glass is nowhere near quality of rest of the car. Appears to have tiny specks within the glass that catch the sun and increase glare. Replaced windshield after stone chip and replacement windshield was just as bad. Anybody else have this complaint?

[Macguyvic]

I just changed my Dunlop run flats on my 08 Cooper S to the Kuhmo run flats. Really smoothed out the ride. Didn't give up anything in handling. You didn't mention how many miles are on the car but when the run flats are worn they are very hard. A fresh set of rubber can make a huge difference. I am glad I stayed with the run flats!

[redditchmini]

I am in exactly the same situation . My Mcs convertable is now on 16 non runflat winter tyres and ride is almost comfortable . When i switch back to 17 runflats ride is pretty bad . However reading in press they say that due to BMW perserverance with runflats the latest generation of tyres are softer and offer a better ride . Does anyone have similar experiences with these latest runflats on a MINI ?

[ben_uk]

Is it safe to change from the standard/factory 205/45/17 Run Flat Tyres to for example, Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 215/40/17 non run flats ??

The size is different for a start

The sound of improved ride quality and possible improvement of grip are really tempting but am a little weary of leaving the standard setup for the car.

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by ben_uk (original)

Is it safe to change from the standard/factory 205/45/17 Run Flat Tyres to for example, Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 215/40/17 non run flats ??

The size is different for a start

The sound of improved ride quality and possible improvement of grip are really tempting but am a little weary of leaving the standard setup for the car.

Yes went for that exact same tyre some time ago!
Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 215/40/17 v Runflat Tyres - Forums