MINI Cooper 2006 - softer ride

[Pozzo]

Hi,

New to the forum and need little advice.

My parents bought a MINI Cooper 2006 and the ride is a bit too hard for them around town - can anyone please recommend an economical solution like a set of softer springs or would it need dampers and springs?

I don't don't much about MINI mods so any help would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers

[mike9009]

Pozzo said:

Hi,

New to the forum and need little advice.

My parents bought a MINI Cooper 2006 and the ride is a bit too hard for them around town - can anyone please recommend an economical solution like a set of softer springs or would it need dampers and springs?

I don't don't much about MINI mods so any help would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers

Does the car have runflat tyres? If it does it might be worth changing to non run flats.... plenty to consider when changing tyres though...

Mike

[Miglia 888]

mike9009 said:

Pozzo said:

Hi,

New to the forum and need little advice.

My parents bought a MINI Cooper 2006 and the ride is a bit too hard for them around town - can anyone please recommend an economical solution like a set of softer springs or would it need dampers and springs?

I don't don't much about MINI mods so any help would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers

Does the car have runflat tyres? If it does it might be worth changing to non run flats.... plenty to consider when changing tyres though...

Mike

This.

Bin the runflats tyres if fitted, and the ride will improve significantly.
If the ride still feels too firm, consider some lighter 15" wheels with higher profile tyres which ride like a limo in comparison with the usual heavy optional 17" alloys & low profile tyres.

[Pozzo]

Thanks for the advice - I'll checkout the wheels/tyres.

[GiveItSomeWellie]

Do you know which suspension it was optioned with from the factory? They had standard, Sports, and Sports +. I've had all 3, the SS+ with 17s and runflats is extremely stiff, though since going to 16s and non run flats it's improved massively.

[Pozzo]

Not sure if the current suspension option is documented with it being a 2nd hand car - it would be interesting if I could get the ride closer to that of the ONE.

Thanks for your advice.

[mikeyr]

Pozzo said:

Not sure if the current suspension option is documented with it being a 2nd hand car - it would be interesting if I could get the ride closer to that of the ONE.

Thanks for your advice.

Pop the VIn number in here - I did for my recently bought 52 plate Mini and it listed all the options it came with

[timbo999]

Put the VIN number in bimmer.work and it will tell you which suspension option is fitted:

Standard Equipment
228
Sports Suspension Settings Plus

The above is what it returns for my R53.

[CarsOrBikes]

it's probably got sports suspension plus, and with run flats too that makes them a little crashy over bumps. The runflats can be got rid of on a cooper and a spare fitted as the one had a spare. My one had this and SS+ and it was nice. My cooper S though has 17's and this changes it. My one was on 15's.