MINI2

Davislove3rd · Nov 29th, 2004, 06:27 PM

I have now done ~1800 miles in my 05 MCS and I have a subject I would like to discuss.

Firstly, I do love the car, however, what have they done to the suspension? It wallows a lot more than the 52 plate I test drove 6 months ago and probably more than the 53 plate I test drove at the dealers. Front end grip is still superb but the back seems more 'mobile' and there is more body roll, it means you feel less conmitted in the twisties. I'm hoping fitting x-lites will partly resolve this.

I'm well aware of the change to the sports suspension in March 03, however, was this done so they were able to offer a new product in the form of the recently announced 'JCW suspension' kit.

I'm also surprised that EVO magazine have not commented on this as they have had a 52 plate S and 53 plate JCW.

It has now made me think............do I go and get the JCW suspension at yet more cost, or attempt to have the 2002 sports suspension retrofitted fitted, or accept it and get on with it?

TBH it's a bit of a dissapointment and i'm not sure about committing to the 210 JCW.

obehave · Nov 29th, 2004, 06:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Davislove3rd

I have now done ~1800 miles in my 05 MCS and I have a subject I would like to discuss.

Firstly, I do love the car, however, what have they done to the suspension? It wallows a lot more than the 52 plate I test drove 6 months ago and probably more than the 53 plate I test drove at the dealers. Front end grip is still superb but the back seems more 'mobile' and there is more body roll, it means you feel less conmitted in the twisties. I'm hoping fitting x-lites will partly resolve this.

I'm well aware of the change to the sports suspension in March 03, however, was this done so they were able to offer a new product in the form of the recently announced 'JCW suspension' kit.

I'm also surprised that EVO magazine have not commented on this as they have had a 52 plate S and 53 plate JCW.

It has now made me think............do I go and get the JCW suspension at yet more cost, or attempt to have the 2002 sports suspension retrofitted fitted, or accept it and get on with it?

TBH it's a bit of a dissapointment and i'm not sure about committing to the 210 JCW.

The change was just the strut valving.
There's probably a ton of old struts lying about in garages across the UK to be had for cheap.
Just a thought.
Don't know about the JCW stuff. Probably just the '02 components

Martin L · Nov 29th, 2004, 06:45 PM

The change really has effected the rear end

I honestly don't think the x-lites improve the situation. My last MCS had them but my first MCS had s-spokes with the older suspension set-up and it handled far better.
The MINI has too much of a BMW feel to it now

Paul · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:03 PM

I've got some '02 dampers AND Eibachs to go on my wallowy S now.

Can't wait.

Cooper_si · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:10 PM

a wallowy s paul ?? flippin heck ive got a jan 03 mcs and its awsome round the twisty in the dry....handles better than my old car which had 800 quids worth of HK sus on it ! i cant imagine it been better than it already is

maybe im in need of being co-pilot in sumones modded car

Paul · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2BAR_G40

a wallowy s paul ?? flippin heck ive got a jan 03 mcs and its awsome round the twisty in the dry....handles better than my old car which had 800 quids worth of HK sus on it ! i cant imagine it been better than it already is

maybe im in need of being co-pilot in sumones modded car

They changed the setup in mid 2003, I've got a July 2003 build. It sucks compared to the old (in my opinion).

Cooper_si · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:18 PM

oh rite ! now thats opened my eyes alittle.....

makes u wonder y they mess around with updating things when there was nothing wrong in the first place

in that case i urge everyone to have pre july 2003 shocks etc !!!

i can see Davislove3rd point now

obehave · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2BAR_G40

oh rite ! now thats opened my eyes alittle.....

makes u wonder y they mess around with updating things when there was nothing wrong in the first place

in that case i urge everyone to have pre july 2003 shocks etc !!!

i can see Davislove3rd point now

People were whining about the rough ride.
Seems they thought they were buying some sponge ride luxo barge

I still see the posts here. Makes me wonder what they test drove

Davislove3rd · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I've got some '02 dampers AND Eibachs to go on my wallowy S now.

Can't wait.

Paul, where did you get the 02 dampers from? can eibach springs fit ok on these dampers as I take they are shorter? would all of this fit on a 05 MCS?

Cooper_si · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by obehave

Seems they thought they were buying some sponge ride luxo barge

he he...my mrs does complain about the ride been harsh "ooooeeerrr" but she does have a mini one, and i drive mine like a cars meant to be driven....its a bugger for the newer minis having "softer" suspension tho, yet in the future i maybe in a zimmer due to stiff suspension and the rest of u will be ok lol

Cooper_si · Nov 29th, 2004, 07:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Davislove3rd

Paul, where did you get the 02 dampers from? can eibach springs fit ok on these dampers as I take they are shorter? would all of this fit on a 05 MCS?

i beleive they go straight on matey

and im sure someone on mini2 said they were bmw approved the eibachs???

they are VERY GOOD in my honest opinion

moorlockx · Nov 29th, 2004, 08:52 PM

Heavier swaybars may be the ticket to cut out some of the "wallows" in the twisties.

Nov 29th, 2004, 06:27 PM	#1
Davislove3rd Riding on JCW power! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Essex Local Time: 05:38 AM Posts: 401 Offline	Suspension - whats going on? I have now done ~1800 miles in my 05 MCS and I have a subject I would like to discuss. Firstly, I do love the car, however, what have they done to the suspension? It wallows a lot more than the 52 plate I test drove 6 months ago and probably more than the 53 plate I test drove at the dealers. Front end grip is still superb but the back seems more 'mobile' and there is more body roll, it means you feel less conmitted in the twisties. I'm hoping fitting x-lites will partly resolve this. I'm well aware of the change to the sports suspension in March 03, however, was this done so they were able to offer a new product in the form of the recently announced 'JCW suspension' kit. I'm also surprised that EVO magazine have not commented on this as they have had a 52 plate S and 53 plate JCW. It has now made me think............do I go and get the JCW suspension at yet more cost, or attempt to have the 2002 sports suspension retrofitted fitted, or accept it and get on with it? TBH it's a bit of a dissapointment and i'm not sure about committing to the 210 JCW.

Nov 29th, 2004, 06:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 05:38 AM Posts: 13,600 Offline	The change really has effected the rear end I honestly don't think the x-lites improve the situation. My last MCS had them but my first MCS had s-spokes with the older suspension set-up and it handled far better. The MINI has too much of a BMW feel to it now MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cooper_si the DASH LIGHT king ? ;) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nr Melton Mowbray Local Time: 04:38 AM Posts: 512 Offline	a wallowy s paul ?? flippin heck ive got a jan 03 mcs and its awsome round the twisty in the dry....handles better than my old car which had 800 quids worth of HK sus on it ! i cant imagine it been better than it already is maybe im in need of being co-pilot in sumones modded car THE Legend who helps ALL MINI owners

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cooper_si the DASH LIGHT king ? ;) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nr Melton Mowbray Local Time: 04:38 AM Posts: 512 Offline	oh rite ! now thats opened my eyes alittle..... makes u wonder y they mess around with updating things when there was nothing wrong in the first place in that case i urge everyone to have pre july 2003 shocks etc !!! i can see Davislove3rd point now THE Legend who helps ALL MINI owners

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cooper_si the DASH LIGHT king ? ;) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nr Melton Mowbray Local Time: 04:38 AM Posts: 512 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by obehave Seems they thought they were buying some sponge ride luxo barge he he...my mrs does complain about the ride been harsh "ooooeeerrr" but she does have a mini one, and i drive mine like a cars meant to be driven....its a bugger for the newer minis having "softer" suspension tho, yet in the future i maybe in a zimmer due to stiff suspension and the rest of u will be ok lol THE Legend who helps ALL MINI owners

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Nov 29th, 2004, 06:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
obehave Mini Mod Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 12:38 AM Posts: 9,388 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Davislove3rd I have now done ~1800 miles in my 05 MCS and I have a subject I would like to discuss. Firstly, I do love the car, however, what have they done to the suspension? It wallows a lot more than the 52 plate I test drove 6 months ago and probably more than the 53 plate I test drove at the dealers. Front end grip is still superb but the back seems more 'mobile' and there is more body roll, it means you feel less conmitted in the twisties. I'm hoping fitting x-lites will partly resolve this. I'm well aware of the change to the sports suspension in March 03, however, was this done so they were able to offer a new product in the form of the recently announced 'JCW suspension' kit. I'm also surprised that EVO magazine have not commented on this as they have had a 52 plate S and 53 plate JCW. It has now made me think............do I go and get the JCW suspension at yet more cost, or attempt to have the 2002 sports suspension retrofitted fitted, or accept it and get on with it? TBH it's a bit of a dissapointment and i'm not sure about committing to the 210 JCW. The change was just the strut valving. There's probably a ton of old struts lying about in garages across the UK to be had for cheap. Just a thought. Don't know about the JCW stuff. Probably just the '02 components

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 05:38 AM Posts: 40,709 Offline	I've got some '02 dampers AND Eibachs to go on my wallowy S now. Can't wait.

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 05:38 AM Posts: 40,709 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by 2BAR_G40 a wallowy s paul ?? flippin heck ive got a jan 03 mcs and its awsome round the twisty in the dry....handles better than my old car which had 800 quids worth of HK sus on it ! i cant imagine it been better than it already is maybe im in need of being co-pilot in sumones modded car They changed the setup in mid 2003, I've got a July 2003 build. It sucks compared to the old (in my opinion).

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
obehave Mini Mod Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 12:38 AM Posts: 9,388 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by 2BAR_G40 oh rite ! now thats opened my eyes alittle..... makes u wonder y they mess around with updating things when there was nothing wrong in the first place in that case i urge everyone to have pre july 2003 shocks etc !!! i can see Davislove3rd point now People were whining about the rough ride. Seems they thought they were buying some sponge ride luxo barge I still see the posts here. Makes me wonder what they test drove

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Davislove3rd Riding on JCW power! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Essex Local Time: 05:38 AM Posts: 401 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett I've got some '02 dampers AND Eibachs to go on my wallowy S now. Can't wait. Paul, where did you get the 02 dampers from? can eibach springs fit ok on these dampers as I take they are shorter? would all of this fit on a 05 MCS?

Nov 29th, 2004, 07:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
Cooper_si the DASH LIGHT king ? ;) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nr Melton Mowbray Local Time: 04:38 AM Posts: 512 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Davislove3rd Paul, where did you get the 02 dampers from? can eibach springs fit ok on these dampers as I take they are shorter? would all of this fit on a 05 MCS? i beleive they go straight on matey and im sure someone on mini2 said they were bmw approved the eibachs??? they are VERY GOOD in my honest opinion THE Legend who helps ALL MINI owners

Nov 29th, 2004, 08:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
moorlockx MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Fayetteville, NC, US Local Time: 11:38 PM Posts: 893 Offline	Heavier swaybars may be the ticket to cut out some of the "wallows" in the twisties. -- '03 S B/W

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