[afromanbob]

I'm trying to keep the cost of my Cooper down and adding the Sport Suspension to my Cooper certainly wouldn't do that but if it REALLY adds to the driving pleasure I'm sure I could spare the $500 on it. Now, obviously, my question is, is $500 worth the Sport Suspension? Now, I'm not the most aggressive driver, but if the SS will be a very noticeable difference I'll go for it, if not, I can defiantly do without it, as the Cooper already has some excellent handling. On another note, if I do feel like spending an extra $500 I might go with the HK Stereo, but that's another argument all together .

[lespurgeon]

This is a must test drive decision. For me the SS was a must, so I just upgraded to the MCS (the easy way to go I suppose). We thought the Cooper drove a bit too much like our Acura, but the SS was oh so tight - I actually think it was the most important aspect of going to the MCS for us. If your dealer doesn't have an MC with SS, drive the S, and ignore the extra power (hard I know).

[Rich_IX]

I have SS on my ONE, Really adds to the performance, the cornering is excellent. I would recommend it if you have the tendancy to "open your mini up" on the open roads I would say go for SS but if you are a normal everyday city driver I would save your money for coffie on a morning at Starbucks ;P

[afromanbob]

Yeah, I'd say 95-99% of my driving will simply be getting around the city. Like all MINI drivers I'm sure there will be times where I'll be wanting some SS. So, basically what I'm asking is for that 95-99% of the time doing city driving will I notice a difference between regular and SS?

[dansmini]

My Cooper does not have SS+ and I have driven an S and the difference is noticeable. But I also find myself on some disagreeable backroads sometimes, and then I am thankful my suspension is not any stiffer than it is! The regular SS is a very nice set up. I think it is a nice middle ground between performance and practicality. If I were going to be taking my MINI on the track, I would have an S! That said, I still think my Cooper with regular SS handles corners as well as I need it to. If I went any faster around bends it would be ridiculous!

[xplode]

also keep in mind if you're able to test drive that tires and rims affect ride and handling a lot as well. with 17 inchers, runflats and ss+ probably the stiffest way to go. so try to get a test drive in a car that has the wheels you'll order...

[KlausR]

Regarding an increase in spring rates of 10 percent the step from SS to SSP is actually bigger than most factory sport suspension upgrades.

I think the question is not if it is noticable (you bet it is!) but if it is desirable on the Cooper. The MINI has a very well working suspension geometry so provided you are not so much into aggressive steering input a bit more body roll doesn´t harm the car´s handling very much.

It´s all your choice:

If you want a well-balanced and composed car with reasonable ride comfort, take the standard Cooper, if you want a steering wheel guided point and shoot weapon with lightning reflexes, go for the SSP.

Klaus

[jsteine2]

I went with the SS+ on my Cooper for several reasons... and not that I'm an aggresive driver, I'm not. I wanted the stiffer feel of road contact. The wife has an '02 Cooper with the earlier stiffer shocks... I wanted a similar feel in my Cooper. Hence I opted for the SS+ and have not been disappointed. We recently returned from a driving vacation... 4000+ miles in the MINI... over smooth and rough, paved and dirt roads. We loved it.

[afromanbob]

Hmm, upon further thought I've come to the conclusion that if I add anything more to my Cooper it would probably be the stereo, not SS+. But thanks anyways for the help about the SS+, sounds like fun, but I've got to keep the cost down, unfortunately....

[afromanbob]

Hmm... now I think I may add it. Keep the comments coming!

[mcsyorkie]

I have got a 52 plate MCS with sports suspension, 17's and runflats, hard as concrete but would not want it any other way, really depends on the quality of the roads and how much driving you do, but I only use the mini at weekends when I can steal it back of the other half, she nicked of me when i got it!!

[afromanbob]

So, the general concensus is that the ride is rough, but nice at the same time....if you follow what I'm saying? It's nice, then?

[Rich_IX]

Exactly

[afromanbob]

Hmm.... my Cooper gets more expensive everyday! Oh well, what can you do!? Haha...

[Rich_IX]

Tell me about it I spent £16,500 on my ONE! I went mod crazy

[jsteine2]

Rough ride? We just finished a 4000 mile road trip over all kinds of roads, smooth, rough, road construction where the highway was "eaten up" and left, and dirt roads. We loved it and would do it again... of course it may have something to do with where we were... MOT2004 to Maine, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Some of the roads we travelled in NS were nice and windy and not what one could call smooth... but it was gorgeous!

...oh, and we averaged 36.56 mpg!

[Johnny225]

If you want performance, it's a must. If you want pleasure and a Lexus-like ride, don't get it.(I'd get it, it makes a big difference )

[minibat]

It gives it the best handling possible, isnt that part of the reason we bought the Mini in the first place?

Motor on

[afromanbob]

I'm 99.9% sure I'm getting it. Sounds great, sure it's a rough ride but sounds so fun. Thanks for the input guys!

[zgokart]

Quote: Originally Posted by afromanbob

Hmm, upon further thought I've come to the conclusion that if I add anything more to my Cooper it would probably be the stereo, not SS+. But thanks anyways for the help about the SS+, sounds like fun, but I've got to keep the cost down, unfortunately....

_________________-
Take it from an old geezer, but one who still enjoys a nice handling car and spirited ride:
I have the 02 MC with Sport suspension (older, stiffer shocks, by the way). Great for nicely paved highways, but frankly quite uncomfortable on many city streets with potholes, concrete pavement joints every 10 feet, and other bumps.

If I had to do it again, I'd just get the car without the Sport suspension. But remember, everyone has different driving styles, and maybe the newer dampened shocks, combined with Sport suspension might be less firm than mine. As Klaus said, the standard MINI is a finely balanced car and does just fine. Don't do something just because every other person in your peer group has a perceived image of being a Paddy Hopkirk or a Steve McQueen behind the wheels, especially when your driving is 95% city driving. You may prefer to use the money to install satellite radio or a HK system.