Born May 23, 2003 but has awaited shipment to California since. Not sure I will have enough basis to compare with only memories of 4 previous test drives. Will give it a go when vehicle is received.
My initial impressions are that there isn't that much of a difference but it's too early to tell.
We are running on 17" s-spokes with Dunlops.
Comparing it to our previous cooper which had ss+ on 17" s-spokes with Pirelli Euforias I would say that the ride is less jarring but still quite firm.
From what I can recollect, it took some time for the shocks to settle down on our first MINI, the ride became more firm after that which I personally prefer.
Also someone who has tried both Dunlop and Pirelli runflats would be in a better position to comment on which gives the harder ride.
As a closing comment I should say that I absolutely love our new car. The new steering wheel is superb and it certainly hasn't changed that 'connectivity' you get when driving it, especially through the curves.
Right, off out for some further investigations
Stop ruddy rainin cos the 2nd Cam needs a thrashin !
I am also the proud owner of a May build Cooper S and can only compare to a three hour test drive in February.
Both cars are Cooper S with SS+ running on 17" S-lites and Euphori@ run-flats.
The test car had 25000kms. down and mine to date only 600kms.( Long-distance trucker, not much time for fun ).
Mine compares very favourably to the test car, seems a little less harsh over bumpy surfaces, has no torque steer and doesn't tramline as badly on our lorry damaged Motorways. Fast corners seem to be taken with much less roll (What joy) and I have superb feedback through the steering wheel. Have gone far enough to allow DSC to save me but never had the feeling that I was losing it.
Overall, still a very firm ride and tremendous feedback from the whole car. I love it
My car was built on the 5th May....I picked it up on the 13th...(no don't worry it wasn't a Friday).
It is fitted with 16" 5-Spokes with Goodyear tyres....initial impressions are that the ride quality / handling balance is spot on.
The ride is supple and absorbing, but has sufficient stiffness to allow spirited cornering....(bearing in mind I was gentle with the tyres for the first 100 miles, to allow them to bed in fully).
From a country drive last week I found I was taking corners far quicker than I recall I did in my MkI MR2.....the only time I notice a deterioation in ride quality is over speed bumps, of which there are quite a few on the road that I live on.
All in all it's on a plane higher than most other cars on the road.....(except maybe an Elise or an Esprit....now there's a subject close to my heart....if only the MCS had a Lotus badge!)
Born May 13, the suspension still feels stiff, only driven for 3 days so far, but it is all that I expected...and more! Should be illegal it's sooooooo much fun
Overall my impression is that whatever they did to the fluid, no handling aspects were affected.
Now if they would just raise the speed limits on the back roads!
Is this a good big difference as in it handlings just as well and is even more compliant, or is it a well it almost handles as good but rides better type of thing?
Mike
what exactly is the modification as I was unaware and have a May/June built S on the way... It will be my second one so am interested to know just how much better its gonna be???
This car is going to lose me my license one day. I LOVE IT!!!
Dark Silver/Black Cooper S Chilli Shiny Red Brake Calipers
The biggest grin on the planet & the envy of all my friends!
You quoted that the "new steering wheel is superb and it certainly hasn't changed that 'connectivity' you get when driving it, especially through the curves."
Are you talking about the new 3-spoke steering wheel? Does it come standard for the June'03 built MCS? I liked it better than the 2 spoke! I want it!!!
Sergio.
Chili Red/W/W MCS. 05 Mitsubishi Evolution VIII >>> 12.08@114.8mph
...and I forgot to say that since I heard that the MCS suspension seems to be improved with the new shock absorbers, now I can sleep tight!
Mine was built last friday!
Sergio
Chili Red/W/W MCS. 05 Mitsubishi Evolution VIII >>> 12.08@114.8mph
Nope i find the handling better before th car felt a little tail happy in the wet not anymore. It is comfier especially round town. The steering wheel is great it feels just like the one in the 325 sport.
I guess that when I take my car to the Digi-Tec guys for the 210hp conversion, I will have to spend some extra ca$h and get the KW coil-overs! They're great but cost an arm and a leg.
Sergio.
Chili Red/W/W MCS. 05 Mitsubishi Evolution VIII >>> 12.08@114.8mph
It was amazing to see all of the overreaction by some people when word of the shock change first trickled out a few weeks ago. So many people reacted angrily on this and other Boards without having any information on what the change was, except that MINI said they were using improved shocks.
And now we see that it WAS an improvement, just as advertised.
Maybe people won't overreact so much next time MINI plans an improvement....I won't put any money on THAT though!!
I'm not sure I've seen enough back to back testimonials
to say that it's definitely an improvement. Most of the
posts compare to a memory of a test drive or something
similar. It does appear, however, that It's not a big
change or a disaster huge enough to warrant the premature
rants about the issue. I'll bet we'll probably have a good
controlled comparison from someones within the next
month or so.
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They're great but cost an arm and a leg.
