Is there any reasonable-priced ways to soften up the suspensions a bit?

I find the stock sport suspension (on non runflat tires) a bit harsh for my daily commute to school.

Will progressive lowering springs help?

thanks!

 

A progressive rate spring would help. The stock springs have a linear rate, so any bump is met with the spring's full force. In the case of progressive springs, bumps meet the spring's force gradually. Thus they are able to smoothly absorb smaller and medium bumps without the bone-jarring effects that the stock linear rate springs would give over similar bumps.

 

If that does not fix the problem. I guess adjustable coilovers would be the next step.

 

Or if you don't like having to rebuild the coilovers when they fail, just pick up the JCW Sport Suspension...it drops your MINI only 1/2 inch so there is no fussing around and yet still clears speed bumps....and adds some value to your MINI and can be left in should you trade her in............

 

I drive a bone stock 05 MCS and posted something similar on another site a couple of weeks ago.

I was told to fit uprated anti roll bars to the front and rear & then fit KW coilovers to the car and put these to the softest setting, ditch the run flat tyres & fit lightweight 17" wheels to the car.

This would keep mean the ride was a lot softer and the handling would be on the money.... but would also cost me a lot of money

Smaller 16" wheels and higher profile non-runflat tyres should do the same for a lot less money or hire a steamroller and go flatten out the road on your commute & then charge back the cost to the state...

 

let me get this straight..... you researched, test drove and bought a car that is known for it's tight suspension, go-cart handling and you want to make the suspension "softer"?
if you start to soften the suspension to where it rides like a honda you will lose the attributes that are built into the car, you might as well go buy that honda. ditch the runflats, put on a smaller wheel with larger sidewall profile so that it will absorb more bumps and go with that. i notice a huge difference going from my 40s summer tires to 55s winter tires, plus the handling is "looser" to boot.

 

At the time of purchase, I lived 4 miles away from school

 

Koni FSD shocks help a lot. They make bumps less sharp and jarring, yet they actually improve handling and performance over the OEM shocks.

 

try dropping your tire pressure a few PSI. IF that doesn't do what you want, then get some 16" wheels and soft sidewall tires. You'd be surprised how much less 16" tires can cost.

Really, there's no problem with wanting a softer suspension. Making the car what you want is the point of ownership and modification.

I'm not a big fan of progressive springs, but they may be a way to give you what you want. Progressive is a bit of a mis-nomer. It's really a dual rate spring (soft up to a point, then the soft coils bind and you get a stiffer spring with what's left). While this works on the street, it's not that good for hard driving as the transition from soft to firm can keep the car from taking a good set. But others love them, and if it makes you happy, go for it.

Matt

 

Progressive should help, but lowering makes it worse. Ideally you would use stock height progressive springs but I don't think anybody makes them.

With wheels, you can go all the way down to 15".

 

DO NOT Do JCW Suspension!

1. MINI OEM Springs (Non-Sport)
2 15 inch wheels with fatty series tires like 205/65-15
3. FSD Shocks

I have JCW suspension (hardest) now
On previous MINI had both stock sport supension (soft)
And H-Sport Progressive springs (hard) with stock shock shock
Latter KONI Sports (harder) with the H Sport springs.
In Philly I got a loaner JustaCooper with 15s and non-sport suspension for near 2 weeks and it was the softest most pleasant and compliant ride I ever experienced in a MINI even potholes were diminished. And rode in MCS with FSDs and stiff springs and was impressed by dampening compared to stock shock and Sport shock.
Non-Sport springs and FSD you'll be ready for off-road RallyCross or the streets of Philly.

 

+1, a high speed and a low speed damping rate in one damper makes this a good choice for the street.

 

15" wheels. Car keeps its tight suspension, still handles well, and can smooth out bumps. Plus the light weight improves all vehicle dynamics.