F56 Mini Cooper suspension and wheel sizes

[anonymous-user]

Afternoon all, long time no post. Was on here years ago but have lapsed.

Anyway, I have a 65 plate Cooper 1.5t manual 3 door and I reckon that:

1) The springs, possibly dampers too, are way too hard for our fabulous UK roads
2) The wheels, at 17" diameter, are far too big.
3 The tyres, at 205 in width are far too wide.

I've read numerous discussions on here about suspension settings, wheel sizes and tyre widths and the general consensus seems to agree. there was also a link to an excellent video on YouTube showing the effects of suspension/wheel/tyre de-tuning on a Lotus Elise IIRC.

Personally I think that the springs should be softer, maybe progressive. the dampers could be backed off a bit and the wheels should probably be 16" at most if not 15's. Tyres? Probably 185/195 seeing as there's only 132 ish BHP on tap.

I didn't post this in the Mini section as I wanted a larger audience. No doubt my sons or their mates would say 18's and lowered to the deck.

As a pointer I like to "make progress" but I am very progressive driver and not a chuck it in an hope for the best driver.

Have we bought a tarts handbag of a car? Previously I have owned a 306 GTi6 and that was awesome! Small wheels and tyres too...

[anonymous-user]

Waste of time

[cerb4.5lee]

I find my F56 Cooper S pretty good on back lanes compliance wise(its on 17" without run flats). I think the consensus is that the 16" wheels are the sweet spot though. The ride is pretty ropey around town though.

[E-bmw]

^^^^Wot 'e said.

16" non run flat will transform the car, non-run flat on 17s will improve if you can't swap the wheels.