[RedUn]

This has been doing my head in for ages, i've spoke to a few people I know about it and get mixed responses so lets see if anyone else knows what i'm talking about

Rite then i'm just talking pure handling here, I've come from an early 03 One with the older suspension to an 05 S and i've noticed a massive difference in handling - not on the good side either i'm afraid!!

As a side note I appreciate the extra weight of the S will affect the handling.

Now I know they softened the suspension in March 03 as I just scraped stiffer suspension on the One but does anyone know if they have softened it again since?? I aint heard anything but i've not looked proper just yet

The setup on the One I had was SS, eibachs, eibach anti-roll bars, JCW wheels.

The setup on the S is SS+, eibachs, the roll bars, JCW strut brace, LSD, JCW wheels.

The thing that is annoying me is that the S isn't a patch on the One(handling wise), I didn't expect it to be due to the extra weight and revised suspension setup but I didn't expect my std One to handle better than my S does in it's current modified form!

I have done my own little tests and on some corners there are upto 10mph difference in cornering speeds

Now then have I lost the plot?? have I got some duff dampers?? or are the new cars really that different??

I don't think I have missed any info out there so I look forward to any replies I get

cheers

[keen]

Quote: Originally Posted by RedUn

The setup on the One I had was SS, eibachs, eibach anti-roll bars, JCW wheels.

The setup on the S is SS+, eibachs, the roll bars, JCW strut brace, LSD, JCW wheels.

When you say "Eibachs" you are refering to Eibach springs, right?

My take on this, then:

The major difference between the SS and the SS+ suspensions are the spring rate.

You've replaced the springs on both cars with identical springs from Eibach (they don't usually offer different springs for the One, Cooper, or S...). Both cars now have the same spring rate, but different overall weights, and likely a different weight balance.


With more weight on the same springs, the S is likely to handle "worse" than the One...at least it should feel softer.


I'd suggest returning the cars to the original springs.

As a datapoint, did you know that each MINI has different springs depending on it's configured options? Cars with sunroofs have a different spring from cars without, for example.

This is how they're able to make a leather+premium+sport S handle exactly the same as a base model S.


My opinion, at least.

...david

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by keen

When you say "Eibachs" you are refering to Eibach springs, right?

My take on this, then:

The major difference between the SS and the SS+ suspensions are the spring rate.

You've replaced the springs on both cars with identical springs from Eibach (they don't usually offer different springs for the One, Cooper, or S...). Both cars now have the same spring rate, but different overall weights, and likely a different weight balance.


With more weight on the same springs, the S is likely to handle "worse" than the One...at least it should feel softer.


I'd suggest returning the cars to the original springs.

As a datapoint, did you know that each MINI has different springs depending on it's configured options? Cars with sunroofs have a different spring from cars without, for example.

This is how they're able to make a leather+premium+sport S handle exactly the same as a base model S.


My opinion, at least.

...david

thanks for your reply

yes Eibach springs, sorry should have made that clear earlier

you have a very valid point there

unfortunately I did drive the S before the eibachs and the eibachs definately improved things so taking them off wudn't help or else they wud of been off by now trust me

thanks for your reply tho a lot of good info there

[Mike Edwards]

But if you take them off both cars...

Are the tyres the same on both btw?

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Edwards

But if you take them off both cars...

Are the tyres the same on both btw?

i only have the S now, sold the One I think I may have caused confusion by what said before........when I said

" I didn't expect my std One to handle better than my S does in it's current modified form!"

I actually meant that when my One was totally std it wud of out handled my S with all the suspension modifications fitted.....if that makes any more sense?

oh yeh they are the exact same wheels and tires

[Damo]

Its all psychological mate

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

Rik I know some peeps up your way that do cheapo advanced driving lessons

Give me a bell if you want some

knew this would happen

we'll see

[Rakey]

could be that the suspension is more set up now for the Runflats than the older MINI's were, as TBH I don't find mine handles any worse than my 03 MCS which had non-runflats

But saying that the MCSC has different suspension and handling to the tintop you have

If you can find an answer in there, well done

[Paul]

Could it be you're actually going quicker than you think in the S over the One?

But as others have said, if your suspension is the same set up on both (the main change was the dampers) then it's most likely down to weight and weight distribution (the S also has a slightly different track to the One and Cooper).

[roland2003]

Redun. Check tyre pressures and set to 32psi front & 28psi rear (cold). Next get someone to check (recheck) front toe . For now set to zero ie straight ahead and see how
you go. If this is out it will handle horribly.Is the car understeering or oversteering (ie nervous)?
Regards Roland GT Tuning

[speedman]

Quote: Originally Posted by roland2003

Redun. Check tyre pressures and set to 32psi front & 28psi rear (cold). Next get someone to check (recheck) front toe . For now set to zero ie straight ahead and see how
you go. If this is out it will handle horribly.Is the car understeering or oversteering (ie nervous)?
Regards Roland GT Tuning

My car handles beautifully try this, in this order. Take your car to BBR and get the BBR powergrip suspension, it works, take my word for it. its stunning and worth every penny.
www.BBRgti.com

Then change your wheels and tyres for some oz superlegerra (superlight) 18in wheels and Toyo Proxes t1-s tyres.
(wheelbase in oldham)

fit a strutbrace (i use one with a mini emblem, had great results cost £180 though)
(minisport)

Finally set your tyre pressures to 28psi front and back. (this is very critical 1 psi out makes a noticeable difference.

[Paul]

Removed speeding references.

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Could it be you're actually going quicker than you think in the S over the One?

But as others have said, if your suspension is the same set up on both (the main change was the dampers) then it's most likely down to weight and weight distribution (the S also has a slightly different track to the One and Cooper).

Thats what I thought at first but I have a few of them bends where I know how fast I can go round them(everyone has them) so I can compare quite well and I can't even match the speeds I could pull round them in the One??

yeh i'm thinkin it's got to be the dampers as everything else as far as I know is the same

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

could be that the suspension is more set up now for the Runflats than the older MINI's were, as TBH I don't find mine handles any worse than my 03 MCS which had non-runflats

But saying that the MCSC has different suspension and handling to the tintop you have

If you can find an answer in there, well done

yeh you could be rite there as it's no where near as bumpy now......even tho i'm using the same springs ahve i missed summut ere??

[Paul]

I can only say my later S was much worse than my earlier S, bottoming out, lunging etc on familar roads where an earlier S would just skip through.

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by roland2003

Redun. Check tyre pressures and set to 32psi front & 28psi rear (cold). Next get someone to check (recheck) front toe . For now set to zero ie straight ahead and see how
you go. If this is out it will handle horribly.Is the car understeering or oversteering (ie nervous)?
Regards Roland GT Tuning

at the mo they are 32 all round, i'll double check them and make the back ones 28 and see how it goes then

yeh I could get the toe angles checked as well but the car seems to drive ok - just doesn't go round bends

the car is very neutral, it just has no grip compared to the last one

i have no idea if this is any use but it feels like the dampers aren't upto the job on the car, cornering above say 50mph does not feel safe at all

ah well looks like i'm on my own with this one.....KW's please

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by speedman

My car handles beautifully try this, in this order. Take your car to BBR and get the BBR powergrip suspension, it works, take my word for it. its stunning and worth every penny.
www.BBRgti.com

Then change your wheels and tyres for some oz superlegerra (superlight) 18in wheels and Toyo Proxes t1-s tyres.
(wheelbase in oldham)

fit a strutbrace (i use one with a mini emblem, had great results cost £180 though)
(minisport)

Finally set your tyre pressures to 28psi front and back. (this is very critical 1 psi out makes a noticeable difference.

yeh I can imagine that would make it better but whats the point if I can't even make it as good as my last car??

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I can only say my later S was much worse than my earlier S, bottoming out, lunging etc on familar roads where an earlier S would just skip through.

that sounds the same as what i've experienced

do you find it feels a lot more un-settled when cornering at higher speed?

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by RedUn

that sounds the same as what i've experienced

do you find it feels a lot more un-settled when cornering at higher speed?

thats the key here "higher speeds" , you are most probably entering the corner at higher speeds in the S than you would in the One, probably backing off the throttle and changing down to say 3rd? as you scoot round on neutral throttle. Try second with slightly building throttle before you hit the apex, then as you start to exit the bend hit more power, slowly feed it in, not too much and see how that feels. You might get the tail out a little at first, but I think you'll find it all settles down nicely with practice. remember Brakes are only for emergencies

[roland2003]

Redun,is it that it wont turn in.ie the front washes out.Or is it the back threatening to step out ? If it is the latter you wont require any form of 'anti understeer kit',which increases neg camber on the front. These are good for track ,but on a very fast bumpy road can make things worse unless you are a very experienced driver.
Regards Roland GTT.