Potential new Mini owner - Suspension Question on R56 Cooper

[dg121]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a 2011 Mini Hatch Cooper D 1.6l with Chilli Pack upgrades and was wondering if this version automatically comes with a "sport suspension" rather than the standard suspension? It has a "sport mode" that tightens the steering and suspension, but can't seem to find much concrete information if these version came with a different suspension too?

Reason I'm curious is that I live in an area with pretty poor quality roads and feel a more solid sporty suspension may be uncomfortable long-term.

[E-bmw]

Not sure if the 56 was the same as the 53 for suspension etc but the sweet spot for the 53 was always 16" wheels non RFT on pretty much any suspension set up.

[chrisch77]

dg121 said:

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a 2011 Mini Hatch Cooper D 1.6l ......

Don't. Please.
I helped a friend find a nice late model R56 Cooper D about 18 months ago. Despite low mileage and good service history the crappy BMW N47 engine shat its timing chain tensioner within 6 months and the engine was toast. I would suggest you stick to the LCI petrol models instead or stretch the budget for an early F56 model instead.

[dg121]

Thanks for that feedback. Error in my post title, I didn't mean R56, it's an F56 2011 version. Is that still the engine you mentioned that the timing chain bust on?

[mikeswagon]

dg121 said:

Thanks for that feedback. Error in my post title, I didn't mean R56, it's an F56 2011 version. Is that still the engine you mentioned that the timing chain bust on?

2011 is still an R56, F56s started in 2014.

R56s don't have the dynamic dampers that were optional on F56s. IIRC sport mode will increase weight the steering, make throttle more sensitive and on an auto hold onto revs longer.