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MINI Cooper Steering and Suspension Questions

30 messages,  Last post on Jun 10, 2009 at 7:34 PM

You are in the MINI Cooper Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? MINI, Steering, Suspension, Convertible, Hatchback


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#23 of 30
MINI Cooper: Suspension by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Oct 13, 2006 (9:33 am)
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This topic covers the MINI suspension system, and any questions or comments you have about it. This might include problems with struts/shocks, unusual noises, erratic tracking or handling, or alignment issues.
#24 of 30
sport v reg. suspension on mini by faust4
Sep 26, 2007 (1:24 pm)
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I am going to buy a mini and having a hard time really knowing the difference between the sport suspension and the one that comes standard, I love a strong ride, but I heard you can get a little beat up with the sport. Any info will help, I dont want to regret my choice. thanks....Dan Faust
#25 of 30
Re: sport v reg. suspension on mini [faust4] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Sep 29, 2007 (8:32 am)
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Replying to: faust4 (Sep 26, 2007 1:24 pm)

I think the "problem" is with the sport suspension coupled to the Run Flat Tires. I've only driven the pre 2007 cars with sport suspension and Run Flats, and yes, the ride is extremely harsh. You should definitely test drive one with sports suspension before making up your mind, either used or new. If you can avoid or replace the RFTs, I'd do that as well.
#26 of 30
alignment problems by hnew
Apr 28, 2009 (3:52 am)
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2008 mini cooper S, left front tire has steel belting showing and blown on inside tread area, right front is not as bad. Both back tires has had to be replaced and is already showing ware on inside tread again. With only 10,000 miles on the car, seams odd that such major alignment problem has occurred. My boss is a friend of the owner of this car, and asked for my help. They bought car new and saying no curbs been hit. They thinking to getting rid of this problem by getting there daughter a different car. They are concerned if, and for her safety, that if the alignment was done and why it needs to be done so soon. With the cost of the type of tires and its a new car, any ideas to help?
#27 of 30
Re: alignment problems [hnew] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Apr 28, 2009 (6:22 am)
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Replying to: hnew (Apr 28, 2009 3:52 am)

Alignment can be knocked out in an instant. It can happen ten minutes after you get an alignment. A pothole will do it. I don't see how they could know what ruts or potholes their daughter might have hit, or may even be unaware of. If you smack a hole hard enough, or often enough that's it---the car's out of alignment.
 
Wear on an inside tread suggests to me that the car is out of alignment and has excessive toe in or toe out---meaning that the tire is being scrubbed across the road--not running straight.
 
Unfortunately, you cannot properly align a car with tires that are already worn. You have to replace the tire, then do a full alignment. Also it would be a good idea to see if there is any damage under there.
 
My gut feeling is that there is nothing basically wrong with the MINI but a lot wrong with whoever is working on the alignment machine.
#28 of 30
Re: alignment problems [Mr_Shiftright] by hnew
Apr 28, 2009 (9:27 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 28, 2009 6:22 am)

I didn't look under the rear of the car to see if a alignment is possible. after buying the car from new, they replaced the rear tires in december of 2008. 4 months later they needed replaced again, and the rear tires are wearing about the same on the inside. tread. now on the bad one that is worn to the steel belt I do agree that she wasn't telling or giving up what could have knocked the front so badly out of alignment.
#29 of 30
Re: alignment problems [hnew] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Apr 28, 2009 (10:52 am)
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Replying to: hnew (Apr 28, 2009 9:27 am)

I'd need to see the wear pattern to tell you any more. Just about any car can be aligned on all 4 wheels although on some cars the way they do the rear wheels isn't pretty.
#30 of 30
Re: sport v reg. suspension on mini [faust4] by gogoletsgotats
Jun 10, 2009 (7:34 pm)
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Replying to: faust4 (Sep 26, 2007 1:24 pm)

I have a 07 Cooper S.
Had 19 or 18 in can't remember. JCW wheels with the run flats.
Living in L.A. we encounter many pot holes, one night on the freeway I hit a pot hole, with a huge large BANG. Busted my rim.
Then after replacing the rim few weeks later another loud BANG! I ran over a pot hole AGAIN and busted another rim. Then I started to notice the rear wheels were wearing only in the insides. So I decided to ditch all 4 tires and rims and switch out to a 17 with a Yokohama Hi Performance tires.
Outcome: Slightly less noisy and bumpy. But I was and still am but was too cheap to get the alignment. I've had my car almost 2 years ( a month short ) had to replace 8 tires so far with 32000 mls. I just got my car back from service had to get my left front guide support replaced I need to replace my rear tires replaced then do alignment on all 4 wheels.
I just think the OEM suspensions suck I'm thinking to replace it with the KONI's any feed back????
ALSO the JCW wheels are really delicate.

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