[Rob_MCS]

Hi,

I've owned my R53 MCS for just 6 days now. And I've never posted before, so I'm a double-newbie. Please be kind!

I'm no stranger to hard rides - I ran a lowered, modified 1974 MGB GT V8 for 9 years - yet the MCS makes that feel like a Rolls! I suffer from back complaints from time to time, so would like to reduced the slam-in-the-back ride the MCS currently dishes out.

My questions:

1) How can I find out which suspension set up I have?
2) I believe there's Sports and Sports Plus on a Cooper S? What's the difference (I guess Plus is tighter still)?
3) Can they be adjusted?
4) After reading all the threads on MINI2.com, I'm changing to non runflats this Saturday, but what next if that isn't enough? Would just swapping shocks make a difference to the ride, or must it be shocks and springs?

The wheels are R90s. Tyres 205/45/17

Thanks in advance
Rob

PS If anyone wants two 6-day-old Perelli Eufori run flat tyres, make me an offer. I live in Bristol, UK.

[Crammy]

Have a look at these:

Koni FSD

I think they smooth out the ride during normal driving but tighten up the ride when you start to push it, there was a good review somewhere but I can't find it

[Meeerrrk]

I was going to say Koni FSDs, they are very smart.

what kind of price are you after for the tyres, could be very interested for my winter wheels

thanks

Mark

[Rob_MCS]

So, are you both saying I can just replace the shocks to smooth out the ride? I don't need to change the springs as well? Sorry, I'm not too technical.

Crammy - thanks for the link.

Mark - the tyres seem to be about 120 pounds online (that's a fitted price) wouldn't you agree? How about approx 40% of that - 100 pounds for the pair? That'll get me one new tyre.

Like I said, I've only driven about 100 miles (one hundred) miles

Let me know
Rob

[Meeerrrk]

Hi there Rob.

google "Koni FSD" and have a read about them. They are clever dampers and are designed for use with standard springs. the idea is to make the ride smoother than stock but stiffen up on corners. they are supposed to work very well, i have not read any poor reports on them. Not cheap at around £100 a corner though.

Removing the runflats will make the ride on your Mini slightly less crashy but the suspension is still firm. Expect an improvement but not a different car!

£100 a pair is good, very tempting. Well let you know.

thanks

Mark

[The Peanut]

If he doesn't want them, we would be intererested. Live in South Worcestershire so we can pick them up.

[Meeerrrk]

if you want them matey dont let me stand in your way

[The Peanut]

We have two minis - we are always on the lookout for a bargain where tyres are concerned!

As a Bristol person Rob, you might like to have a look at newminiseverns.com/forum.

[MINI-Morgan]

You can get a set of four non runflats for less than £200 or slightly over.

[Nath316]

erm sorry to be a killjoy but its an MCS so therefore the ride will be a little harder than normal

did you test drive it prior to buying and did you not notice the ride comfort (or lack of)?

In my 07 MCS the ride is hard at times but that is life and being over 6 foot myself i have back probs as well

[batou]

Switch to 215/45/R17 Non-Runflat tyres (ie. Goodyear Eagle GSD-3) and this will solve most of the problem

I wouldn't go straight ahead with replacing the shocks, seems a bit drastic after only a few days of ownership.

[Rob_MCS]

Thanks for the answers.

It's a second hand car. I drove a mate's MCS for about an hour, but thought I'd get used to it. You know what it's like being a boy - I just wanted a Cooper S!!

What about the tyre pressure sensors, can someone tell me categorically whether the sensors will still work normally? Ie, the light wont be on all the time? Has anyone here switched to non runflats?

I just rang a tyre fitter, who refused to fit non-runflats on a runflat setup - he didn't want to get sued if I crashed!

[3rdpillar]

I test drove lots of MCSs before I chose mine. They all have SS+, as thats how MCS comes.
MIne felt so much smoother than the rest. Even more so now I dumped the runflats. Now its joy all the time.

So i guess all MCSs feel diferent to each other,for what ever reason some are harder than others. But thats one of the tings you find don you test drives.

[Rob_MCS]

And your pressure sensor still works properly with the non runflats?

[Rob_MCS]

Thanks Batou - missed your reply two seconds ago.

What about the speedo being in the wonk with the 215/45s? Is it out very much?

[Rob_MCS]

Ignore that one, Batou - I just checked out the speedometer widget on this site that gives the reading differences when you change tyres. I'm gonna go for 215/45/17s

If someone could just answer my question about whether the tyre pressure sensors continues to work or not, that's me done! (I could do without my wife asking why our brand new car has a light stuck on!)

Thanks
This site's ace!

[Fu Manchu]

The tyre pressure sensor will work as normal with non runflat tyres. There are many many members here running non runflat tyres on OEM & aftermarket rims without a problem. There are lots of myths about whether you can or can't fit non runflat tyres on a car built to run on run flats but most are just that. The sensor is part of the ABS system and monitors the speed at each wheel. The system is tripped if one or more is rolling at a different speed to the others. There is nothing actually monitoring pressure.

PS It is very much a matter of debate on here as to whether you need to inform your insurance company about the change or not. Would be worth asking yours.

[Rob_MCS]

Thanks for the info, Humph.

After considering everyone's advise, I've ordered a set of 215/45/17s. And I'll see how that affects my ride. As Batou said, changing shocks a week in, is a little OTT!

Meeerrk and/or The Peanut - if you still want those tyres, let me know. I'll do 90 for the pair, seeing as I'm going for a set of non runflats for about 300 all in.

[MINIMANIAUK]

You could also replace the 17 inch wheels with smaller 16 or 15 inch wheels that would allow higher sidewalls on the tyres and improve comfort- that used to be the norm on Jags etc until the modern trend for ever larger wheels which I dont fully understand!

[Rob_MCS]

The 17s fill the arches perfectly, though. I don't think I could bring myself to change that proportion.