Mini Cooper S Countryman - option 226 - harsh ride
Discussion
This car belongs to my 78 year old Mum, its quite a cool car for her as it has the JCW chilli pack and aero pack so is a nice looking thing.
The problem is its a back breaker. I have had a look at the build data and it has option 226 sports suspension and its on run flats.
We really need to soften it up for her or it will need to go.
Can you change the suspension settings at all in the car with the settings or is it fixed (I don't know much about minis at all).
I have suggested we ditch the run flats which I am sure will help but by how much.
Could she be in a sports suspension mode by accident and hasn't changed it back or are these not that sophisticated and its fixed and on 100% of the time.
Any help would be useful to make it a softer drive for her.
The problem is its a back breaker. I have had a look at the build data and it has option 226 sports suspension and its on run flats.
We really need to soften it up for her or it will need to go.
Can you change the suspension settings at all in the car with the settings or is it fixed (I don't know much about minis at all).
I have suggested we ditch the run flats which I am sure will help but by how much.
Could she be in a sports suspension mode by accident and hasn't changed it back or are these not that sophisticated and its fixed and on 100% of the time.
Any help would be useful to make it a softer drive for her.
Can’t help with Mini but resonate with the elder parent driving help.
As a very quick immeadiate step take a look at the tyre pressures and put them to the lower side of the advised range. Often the cars have 2 sets of pressures for 2 ppl in a car vs 5 with luggage(assuming she’s mainly 1-2 ppl in a mini) .
Meanwhile a more helpful ph’r will be along with suspension help..
As a very quick immeadiate step take a look at the tyre pressures and put them to the lower side of the advised range. Often the cars have 2 sets of pressures for 2 ppl in a car vs 5 with luggage(assuming she’s mainly 1-2 ppl in a mini) .
Meanwhile a more helpful ph’r will be along with suspension help..
Edited by JulietRomeo on Monday 13th September 11:07
We have a F56 JCW with the sports suspension (not the adaptive) and also has run flats (Dunlop sport max) whilst the ride is hard it’s not unbearable I believe the tyres don’t help, especially as they run at such high pressures so it’s worth changing as a start.
How many miles has the car done as suspension becomes more compliant over time as the parts bed in/soften up.
How many miles has the car done as suspension becomes more compliant over time as the parts bed in/soften up.
Anything can be done if you are willing to pay for it.
My advice would be to check the wheel & tyre size, if you can fit 1" smaller wheels do so, if you then up-ratio the tyres to end up with the same rolling radius & to cap it off ditch the runflats.
The car will be utterly transformed.
You can then keep the originals to revert to original when selling or include them in the sale.
My advice would be to check the wheel & tyre size, if you can fit 1" smaller wheels do so, if you then up-ratio the tyres to end up with the same rolling radius & to cap it off ditch the runflats.
The car will be utterly transformed.
You can then keep the originals to revert to original when selling or include them in the sale.
Thanks all. For now she doesn’t want to swap wheels etc she sees it easier to change car (old people 
)
She needs a new tyre so we are going to ditch the run flats and replace all four with non run flats and see if the improvement is enough.
Reading the Mini forums some say it is enough but let’s see how much it improves.
)She needs a new tyre so we are going to ditch the run flats and replace all four with non run flats and see if the improvement is enough.
Reading the Mini forums some say it is enough but let’s see how much it improves.
18" wheels on a r56 cooper s aren't going to give you a good ride no matter what tyres you fit. max size that stands any chance are 17" with Goodyear Eagle F1 asy 6 or muchelin pilot sports 4.
Going on latest review the goodyears now seem to be getting just as good reviews as the michelins and are usually cheaper. The dampers can be changed I fitted Koni FSD'S? (no longer available)to mine together with the Michelin tyres. The latter made more difference than the Koni's are maybe it was that they worked well together. I also tried 16" wheels with michelins(not the ps4) which did give the best ride. Not all 16" will fit the s there is a thread on here with details of ones that will fit with pictures some look better than others.Get some second hand 16" non runflats and try them out (Gran got you some winter wheels and tyres!!)
Cooper s could be specced new with standard cooper suspension but only came across one when I was looking for a car.
Going on latest review the goodyears now seem to be getting just as good reviews as the michelins and are usually cheaper. The dampers can be changed I fitted Koni FSD'S? (no longer available)to mine together with the Michelin tyres. The latter made more difference than the Koni's are maybe it was that they worked well together. I also tried 16" wheels with michelins(not the ps4) which did give the best ride. Not all 16" will fit the s there is a thread on here with details of ones that will fit with pictures some look better than others.Get some second hand 16" non runflats and try them out (Gran got you some winter wheels and tyres!!)
Cooper s could be specced new with standard cooper suspension but only came across one when I was looking for a car.
SHIFTY said:
Swapped the run flats on the wife's Countryman to non run flats as down to the tread wear markers and made the ride much quieter and was less crashy over bumps so I am sure it will make a noticeable difference but will it be enough.
Thanks shifty, sounds encouraging. I am not swapping wheels and shocks, she won’t welcome that although I am sure it will solve it.Will see how she finds the new non run flats. Thanks
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