10 replies to this topic

[iMurray]

So, my cooper is not a race car, its a daily driver, it lugs me about places and i like to be comfy, considering the car i've been driving for the last few months was the most comfortable i've ever been in...

I would like to know if anyone has used the full suspension kit on offer from minisport? if it does indeed greatly improve rid comfort whilst maintaing that classic mini handling :) and if anyone has lowered the car with the adjusta ride kit that comes with the smootha ride stuff... because i would love to think this set could give me the best of boths worlds in terms of stance and comfort./

[Noah]

Comfortable? Mini.

Thought about a spring conversion?

[Artful Dodger]

Trying conversion wil make the ride harder, whatever spring you use.. Get the kit Ian!! You wont regret it!

[iMurray]

thanks guys1 aha so anyone use this?

[iMurray]

anyones?

[jbj]

My Cooper came with the smootha ride kit fitted when I bought it. I didn't like it and it quickly came off; the softer cones added a lot of body roll and I felt the handling became quite unpredictable.

My advice is that if you want your Mini to handle like a Mini, don't get it. However, if you want it to handle like a 2CV, then go for it! ;)

[jbj]

Oh, and it was still uncomfortable.

[Bungle]

Taffy did a good write up a few years back

[iMurray]

thanks bungle, and cheers for the other posts mate :) i'll go dive into the tardis :)

[andy159]

could someone provide a link to taffys write up as i couldnt find it but i did find his post about quentin wilson which was a good read :)

 

or can anyone recomend an alternative, are the moulton cones  better than standard cones or are they just softer?

 

also how would they compare to red dot cones with hilos fitted and what dampers would be best to use with the red dot cones

Edited by andy159, 23 March 2014 - 08:25 AM.

[A-Cell]

So, my cooper is not a race car, its a daily driver, it lugs me about places and i like to be comfy, considering the car i've been driving for the last few months was the most comfortable i've ever been in...

I would like to know if anyone has used the full suspension kit on offer from minisport? if it does indeed greatly improve rid comfort whilst maintaing that classic mini handling :) and if anyone has lowered the car with the adjusta ride kit that comes with the smootha ride stuff... because i would love to think this set could give me the best of boths worlds in terms of stance and comfort./

Haven't used the full kit, because the smootha ride cones are too soft (in my opinion). I use the adjusta ride trumpets and the Moulton OE cones, running at standard heights in a standard 1275GT on 12in wheels with 145 tyres. Also has standard (new) front subframe rubber mounts. Standard Kayabi dampers. For me this is about as comfortable a ride, with good (normal Mini) handling you can get.
Note that the Adjustaride trumpets provide the progressive rising rate spring effect into bump, so the harder you corner the stiffness into roll increases. At small suspension inputs in a straight line the cones don't work so hard so ride on smooth roads is softer. For me a good compromise. Also note the adjustarides use knuckle joints with larger pins, so this is an additional expense.
From a ride comfort standpoint, Standard ride height provides the optimum ratio of bump and rebound travel, given the very small amount of wheel travel available on Mini (only 4 inches total on the front).
My aim was to establish a standard road car as it was in the late 70's that would be a good compromise for a "Grand Touring" period car. Tolerable from a ride and noise point of view on Motorways and A roads, and fun to drive on twisty B roads. Always a compromise!