HELP. My countryman S all 4 sport is too stiff how can i undo the sport suspension
#1
HELP. My countryman S all 4 sport is too stiff how can i undo the sport suspension
Hello,
I went from the E46 M3 to a Mini Countryman S all 4 with a sport suspension. i am driving it to DC, and DC is a very bumpy city. i have 18 inches as well with run flats which is annoying. the car handles like a dream on corners but hitting the bumps is 1- loud, 2- it shakes the car and 3- stiff, really stiff for a CUV. and i am not happy, and would like the stock countryman.
now, what goes to a sport suspension from MINI? what changed from Regular? springs, shocks, anti-sway bar, all?
best recommendation to unstiff it, PLEASE, i am willing to swap anything with a non sport, its too stiff for DC awesome for Virginia on nice smooth roads. what would be the cheapest way to fix this issue?
Gimmick or fact?
1 - I heard things like there is a bigger sway bar on the sport suspension? do all countrymen have anti sway bars? if i take the sway bar off would that help? the regular countryman S, do they have smaller bars than one with a sport suspension?
2 - The springs, are there any softer springs that would keep the stock height? i am sure the springs are major in this issue.
3 - Are dampers/shocks the same on countryman S without sport suspension or the sport suspension have a stiffer damper?
4 - 17 inch wheels? i am going for that, i have no choice.
5 - is it hopless and just sell the car, or am i panicking for no reason?
6 - if there is no easy exit, anyone wants to trade non sport suspension with mine? i will not charge anything, clean swap. i live in VA
Please help, i would really appreciate it.
I went from the E46 M3 to a Mini Countryman S all 4 with a sport suspension. i am driving it to DC, and DC is a very bumpy city. i have 18 inches as well with run flats which is annoying. the car handles like a dream on corners but hitting the bumps is 1- loud, 2- it shakes the car and 3- stiff, really stiff for a CUV. and i am not happy, and would like the stock countryman.
now, what goes to a sport suspension from MINI? what changed from Regular? springs, shocks, anti-sway bar, all?
best recommendation to unstiff it, PLEASE, i am willing to swap anything with a non sport, its too stiff for DC awesome for Virginia on nice smooth roads. what would be the cheapest way to fix this issue?
Gimmick or fact?
1 - I heard things like there is a bigger sway bar on the sport suspension? do all countrymen have anti sway bars? if i take the sway bar off would that help? the regular countryman S, do they have smaller bars than one with a sport suspension?
2 - The springs, are there any softer springs that would keep the stock height? i am sure the springs are major in this issue.
3 - Are dampers/shocks the same on countryman S without sport suspension or the sport suspension have a stiffer damper?
4 - 17 inch wheels? i am going for that, i have no choice.
5 - is it hopless and just sell the car, or am i panicking for no reason?
6 - if there is no easy exit, anyone wants to trade non sport suspension with mine? i will not charge anything, clean swap. i live in VA
Please help, i would really appreciate it.
Last edited by wfaddah; 03-03-2012 at 07:04 PM.
#5
#6
You need to find someone who has the stock suspension and wants the sport stuff. Then have him pay for the swap and maybe give you some $$. There are folks out there on the other side of the situation. You just need to find the right match.
Taking off the runflats will do much more than you might imagine. It may bring things to a place you like. We have two minis, the wife has runflats. I literally cringe when I drive her car.
Taking off the runflats will do much more than you might imagine. It may bring things to a place you like. We have two minis, the wife has runflats. I literally cringe when I drive her car.
#7
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#8
I live in Cleveland, OH and when I was considering my options when purchasing I asked the dealer about the Sport package he said unless you are going to race the car, don't do it. So that and lounge leather were the only options I did not get. Otherwise I loaded up on all the rest of the options.
As others have mentioned, switch out to 17s with non-runflats. Buy your wheels and tires from Tire Rack to save some money. Sell your 18s and tires on eBay. This would be the least cost way to go.
As others have mentioned, switch out to 17s with non-runflats. Buy your wheels and tires from Tire Rack to save some money. Sell your 18s and tires on eBay. This would be the least cost way to go.
#9
If you find the right folks, this will cost next to nothing.
#10
#13
#14
If the tires have very little wear on them, then it should be a pretty even swap minus the money to make the change.
#16
As others have said, tires #1, then go from there. You could try disconnecting the sway bar from the end links and tying it out of the way to see if that makes a difference for you, but I doubt it would.
As for shocks, gen 1 people have been VERY happy with Koni FSD as a way to keep handling but get a much softer ride. They're likely cheaper than OEM as well.
As for shocks, gen 1 people have been VERY happy with Koni FSD as a way to keep handling but get a much softer ride. They're likely cheaper than OEM as well.
#17
I don't know if rims are your only options but I had the same issues with the "Flintstone Ride" of mini's with run flats. I finally couldn't take losing a filling in my teeth with every pothole so I ditched the RFs flinstone junk and put on non RFs.
The car completely changed from riding on Stones from Fred's rock query to a wonderful handling and riding sporty car.... I love it with normal tires.
I bought an exact rim as whats on the car, put a non-RF tire on it and call it a spare.
I have it lashed down in the trunk. Also have the slime kit. Im good to go.
The car completely changed from riding on Stones from Fred's rock query to a wonderful handling and riding sporty car.... I love it with normal tires.
I bought an exact rim as whats on the car, put a non-RF tire on it and call it a spare.
I have it lashed down in the trunk. Also have the slime kit. Im good to go.
#19
I don't know if rims are your only options but I had the same issues with the "Flintstone Ride" of mini's with run flats. I finally couldn't take losing a filling in my teeth with every pothole so I ditched the RFs flinstone junk and put on non RFs.
The car completely changed from riding on Stones from Fred's rock query to a wonderful handling and riding sporty car.... I love it with normal tires.
I bought an exact rim as whats on the car, put a non-RF tire on it and call it a spare.
I have it lashed down in the trunk. Also have the slime kit. Im good to go.
The car completely changed from riding on Stones from Fred's rock query to a wonderful handling and riding sporty car.... I love it with normal tires.
I bought an exact rim as whats on the car, put a non-RF tire on it and call it a spare.
I have it lashed down in the trunk. Also have the slime kit. Im good to go.
#20
As others have said, tires #1, then go from there. You could try disconnecting the sway bar from the end links and tying it out of the way to see if that makes a difference for you, but I doubt it would.
As for shocks, gen 1 people have been VERY happy with Koni FSD as a way to keep handling but get a much softer ride. They're likely cheaper than OEM as well.
As for shocks, gen 1 people have been VERY happy with Koni FSD as a way to keep handling but get a much softer ride. They're likely cheaper than OEM as well.
what i would love to know is, what is exactly the difference between CMS vs CMS sport suspension? what suspension parts are different? i am changing the weels and springs, but the shocks are expansive.... AND if the CMS does not have a anti sway bar, i am giving giving my sway bar to who ever wants it free of charge.
please if you know more, please reply... so far YOU GUYS BEEN GREAT
#21
As others have said, tires #1, then go from there. You could try disconnecting the sway bar from the end links and tying it out of the way to see if that makes a difference for you, but I doubt it would.
As for shocks, gen 1 people have been VERY happy with Koni FSD as a way to keep handling but get a much softer ride. They're likely cheaper than OEM as well.
As for shocks, gen 1 people have been VERY happy with Koni FSD as a way to keep handling but get a much softer ride. They're likely cheaper than OEM as well.