14 replies to this topic

[Mini M]

Hi All,

 

Back into Mini ownership after several years.

 

Is there a recommended supplier for an Air Suspension kit?

 

I've seen some threads but they are several years old.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated - this is for ride comfort as a primary concern.

 

Thank,

M

[whistler]

Last I heard was that the units were very heavy and the air tank nearly filled the boot.

[nicklouse]

Total *******. They put the loads into parts that should not have loads put into them.

 

the best thing to improve the ride on a Mini is to fit new original M Part rubbers and return the ride height to original.

 

there is nothing better than that. 

[Spider]

Total *******. They put the loads into parts that should not have loads put into them.

 

the best thing to improve the ride on a Mini is to fit new original M Part rubbers and return the ride height to original.

 

there is nothing better than that. 

 

In addition to the M-parts Cones, be sure to fit the early Trumpets on the rear, they have a smaller flange and will give a softer ride.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Throw some KYB dampers on there all round too while you're at it.

[timmy850]

And keep the ride height at factory height. Softer cones need more suspension travel for the suspension to travel properly and stay off the bumpstops

[Cooperman]

Does anyone actually buy a Mini for a comfortable ride?

[roblightbody]

Does anyone actually buy a Mini for a comfortable ride?

A mini that rides acceptably can actually be more fun than one that doesn't. Some people don't actually know how that feels if they've never been in one like that, so just think the ride in all minis is awful.

The roads where I live (West of Scotland) are absolutely appalling compared to how they were when i had new minis, so for me the ride needs to be better than new now, or I can't face the crashing and banging.

Edited by roblightbody, 28 January 2023 - 08:19 AM.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Does anyone actually buy a Mini for a comfortable ride?

People buy Minis, and then try to make them as fast as possible.  It'd be easier to buy a fast car.  Some people like to try to make them as comfortable as possible.  Of course the Mini is a compromise in so many ways but much of the fun of owning a Mini is in improving it in the area that you're most interested in.

[sonikk4]

Cooperman with his many many many years in minis has hit the nail on the head.

Let’s be honest even the latest cheap as chips modern car is a country mile different beast comfort wise compared to a mini.

My wife’s previous minis one a 74 round nose totally bog stock and a Mayfair again bog stock were ok, handled well ( both 998’s) but compared to my Cortina at the time were nowhere near as comfy over very long distances ( think the Highlands down to Bexhill) and we would have never thought about driving that distance in a mini.

I know my daily commute to Stansted Airport from Peterborough all though fun got uncomfortable quite quickly (152 mile round trip) in her Mayfair. Could 'nt wait to get back into my old Cav SRI.

My lad and I enjoyed our L2B runs in my then bog stock 74 clubby and the 2015 IMM but the older you get the more you notice just how harsh the ride is and the seats etc. Now that was on new cones and shocks but my clubby is a solidly mounted front subbie car, so handling is on point it you feel everything.

[sonscar]

It is an old car,that is how they are.As Sonnik says they are a ride of their time.If you want comfort and speed then look to buying a new car.Just my old man view,Steve..

[Spider]

A little departed here, but not by a lot.

 

Does anyone actually buy a Mini for a comfortable ride?

 

A Trip we did in our Mokes to Birdsville by some back tracks back in 2014, a mate and his (then shy) son Mitchel came along on in their 2002 Toyota 90 Series Land Cruiser. These are a full coil sprung off roader and won awards in it's day. A while after leaving the sealed roads we coaxed Mitchel in to one of our Mokes, after a few days, we had him driving them. When his dad asked if he wanted to come back in to the Land Cruiser with his, he refused as " it's not nearly as comfortable as the Mokes " He said that the Mokes were WAY more comfortable, just a bit noisier. These were mostly unsealed roads not tracks and in fairly good order, speeds around 80 to 100 kph (50 to 60 mph) could safely be sat on.

Another trip in 2013 across the Anne Beadell Highway, 2 mates (ex-mokers !) came for the 5 day crossing in their modern coil sprung 4WDs. Once on the 'highway' it was clear the Mokes could well outpace the 4WDs. As it was extremely remote territory, we agreed to drive for 20 minutes and wait for them. It took them 20 minutes to catch up. After the first 1/2 day, the track was that rough, it was doing damage to their 4WDs, they turned around with their tails between their legs and went back. We continued on to complete the 1300 km 'highway'.

They'll never match a modern car for comfort, especially if it has all the wiz-bang computer controlled suspension goodies, seats worth more than our Minis and loaded up with sound deadening, however, when set up correctly, they can be very comfortable indeed, definitely a long long way from uncomfortable !

Set up wrong though,,,,, well,,,,,

[MikeRotherham]

Would a Smootha Ride conversion make any difference?

 

https://www.minispor...a-ride-kit.html

 

Not cheap though.

Edited by MikeRotherham, 29 January 2023 - 11:04 AM.

[whistler]

I fitted 4 new Minispares rubber doughnuts and kyb gas adjust-a-ride shocks and it is a very comfortable ride. Other mini owners have said that mine is far more comfortable than theirs.

I've driven a mini will coils and it was 'orrible. Rubbish on the road, maybe better on a smooth track. My latest has hydro and that's an even nicer ride.

[Cooperman]

I sometimes think back to when I bought my first Cooper. It was in 1964, so it was a 998. I fitted Armstrong dampers which were a bit stiffer. Then I drove 40,000 miles in 15 months in it. I went on honeymoon in it, did lots of club rallies, went 25 miles round trip to work daily, and it was my only car, although my wife had a Mini Van. At the time, it didn't seem uncomfortable, but looking back I giuess it was really.

Then I bought a new Mk.1 Cortina GT, which was far more comfortable, followed by a SAAB 96V4. My wife had a 1275 'S' for a while which was a rally car, but she didn't do many miles, although I sometimes went to work in it.

Now I just treat the Minis as old classics to be driven for fun.