Whats the standard ride height of a R53 Mini Cooper S?

[mattwhite709]

Hi PH,

Last week I brought an 03 Mini Cooper S which is on coilovers. Its too low because its catching on bumps. The other day I was going down a badly concaved road and it was scraping the whole way down the road no matter how I tried to stop it.

Unfortunately I need to ask my garage to change it because I'm still recovering from a fractured left humerus.

What's the ride height that came from factory?


Thanks
Matt

[E-bmw]

I don't know what the measurement is, but if you raise the height until there is a parallel/concentric gap all round between the wheel & the arch you will be about there.

[mattwhite709]

Thanks for your reply but unfortunately I won't be able to do the work myself

[E-bmw]

So, in the absence of an actual number just tell the guy doing the work what you want.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

64cm floor to the top of the wheel arch at the front. 63cm at the back. Thats with factory 17s with factory spec tyres.

[E-bmw]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

64cm floor to the top of the wheel arch at the front. 63cm at the back. Thats with factory 17s with factory spec tyres.

I would just be wary of those (if it were me) as these cars do normally have a slight front to rear rake with standard suspension.

[Dave.]

What state are the shocks in? You might want to pop the wheels off and clean them up before handing it over to someone else (if you're able to).

Chances are the threads will be fked, which will probably turn the 2hr job into a 4 day ordeal.

Oh and pics, obvs

[DaveyBoyWonder]

E-bmw said:

I would just be wary of those (if it were me) as these cars do normally have a slight front to rear rake with standard suspension.

Oh yeh, I have no doubt my 100k mile old shocks and struts are borderline shagged but it gives the OP a general idea of what they should be aiming for ballpark. Putting coilovers on mine in the next couple of months probably or a refreshed standard setup with Bilstein shocks.

[mattwhite709]

Thanks guys for all your help.

The car is measuring 61cm all around but this measurement was taken on a hill.

They are standard 17" wheels with 205/45 tyres all around.

Here is a pic from the advert, not managed to take any other pics atm

[Dave.]

Standard wheels and coil overs usually means the tyre is very close to spring perch on the front. You might have a slim spacer on the front.

I've got ST XTA on mine and they were close, I could just about wedge my finger in (oh err).

I've got different wheels now which aren't an issue, just something to be aware of if not already.