[FiFi]

Can anyone tell me whether the general ride quality of a cooper softens slightly once it's "broken in" and has done a few thousand miles? Took a brand new cooper with standard sports suspension/16 inch alloys and 12 miles on the clock out for an extended test drive(2 days) recently. Found the ride to be quite bumpy to say the least-I know this is due to the lowered sports suspension in the cooper, but my question is this:- does the car loosen up a bit and become a bit smoother with time? Any advice/info muchos appreciated. Apart from this slight niggle I LOVED the general handling/looks, etc etc and have ordered a coop for July delivery. Can't wait, sleepless nights etc..

[cmt]

I can't say that I noticed it loosen up/soften. Both my cars have had Sports Suspension Plus though, and I love it. Quite bumpy under normal driving, but throw the car about and it is fantastic.

[AidenL]

Funnily enough, I really do feel, now that my Cooper has done over 2000 miles, that the suspension is softening a little, it just feels slightly smoother, more compliant.....maybe Im imagining it, or just getting more used to it....??

Thats standard suspension on 15" by the way.......

[Martin L]

I wouldn't say it loosens up. I think you just get used to the bumpy ride over time. The first time I drove my car I thought what have I done in going for SS+
I'm so used to it now that other cars I ride in feel to floaty

[cmt]

Quote:

Originally posted by Martin L
I wouldn't say it loosens up. I think you just get used to the bumpy ride over time. The first time I drove my car I thought what have I done in going for SS+
I'm so used to it now that other cars I ride in feel to floaty

I'd agree with this. If the suspension did soften up, what would it be like after say 40,000 miles
I get hire cars from work and they all feel 'floaty' (good word that, thanks ) in comparison, doesn't give you half as much confidence in the bends, but is comfier... depends what you want really.
When I was looking at replacing my first MINI with something else, it was very difficult to find something that was nearly as stiff as SSP (in fact I didn;t manage) god knows how i'll ever switch away from MINI now

[Martin L]

Quote:

Originally posted by cmt
god knows how i'll ever switch away from MINI now

You're right there!
I occasionally drive a BMW 5 series with sports suspension (when I need the carrying capacity) and I just don't have as much confidence in chucking it into bends like the MINI. Beemers are supposed to be drivers cars
I suppose it'll have to be an exotic car if I ever ditch the MINI e.g Porsche 911, Ferrari 355 or maybe a cheaper priced Noble
So with that (improbable) list it looks like I'll be sticking to the MINI

[KenL]

I've only driven a ONE so can't comment on the Cooper. I thought the ride quality was excellent for a small car and much less choppy than my current car (Fiat Punto). On my test drive I went round a few roundabouts quickly and the cornering seemed really sure footed as well. The acceleration was adequate for me too.

So I guess I'm saying have you considered a ONE instead of a Cooper?

[AidenL]

But surely all components do bed in after a short period of usage though??

[FiFi]

Ken,
After my extended test drive, I did actively consider the ONE, and arranged a back-to-back test a couple of days ago with both a ONE and a COOPER.. I was actually very keen to go for the ONE, for the anticipated smoother ride and the cost benefits. However, I can't explain it.. the ONE was perfectly adequate, nippy and all, couldn't fault it, but when I got into the COOPER straight afterwards, there was what i can only describe as a kind of MAGIC to the car, AND it didn't feel quite so bumpy-this one had 7,000+miles on the clock, hence my original question! On the basis of this test drive, I confirmed my order, and my baby is due in July!

[KenL]

Hi FiFi,

May I ask when you ordered and what delivery date were you given? I ordered May 6 and was told end of July to expect the car. Curious as you are close(ish) to me, did you order in Edinburgh?

I intentionally did not test a Cooper as I was slightly worried I would like it more than the ONE and loaded the way I wanted the car (silver, alloys + CD player) plus higher insurance cost would have made the Cooper too expensive for me.

Ken.

[FiFi]

Ken,
I put in a provisional order for the COOPER on exactly the same day as you! ie 6th May, and was given a delivery date of 16th July. I ordered from Morrison's of Kirkcaldy, and am impressed with their service so far. They were able to supply either a ONE or a COOPER on this date, depending on my final decision. I know what you mean with regards to the extras tho.. I could've saved myself about £1500 if I'd been sensible and gone for the ONE. Will just have to watch the pennies for a while.
Incidentally, both John Clark in Dundee and Grassicks in Perth are now quoting September delivery for MINI'S ordered now. Glad my provisional went in when it did.
I actually work in Edinburgh, so if I see a lovely silver ONE I'll wave!!

[Bill Sz.]

We have over 2,000 miles on our CVT Cooper. The ride has softened somewhat. I don't know if it is the suspension or the run-flats. (Could be the run-flats ... I've heard that the tires are a bit hard/stiff until they are broken in.)



Liquid Yellow Cooper CVT -w- white roof & mirrors and sport package, leatherette, xenons and 16" 5-Star alloys (in our hot little hands) + one new replaced windshield that BMW/MINI refuses to cover under the warranty; and,

Dark Silver Cooper S -w- white roof & mirrors, premium & sport packages and lapis blue/leather due in mid June ... it looks like we got lucky!

Bill