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What do I need for new 'suspension'

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Insomniator

Diamond Member
Hey everyone,

I have an 04 Cooper S with 82k on the dial. Love the car but it definitely hits hard on the bumps and sounds loud... I assume I'm due for new shocks. I know its a stiff suspension but I'm wondering if its still just 'stiff' or just worn out. The fronts may have been replaced, will check, but I know the rears have not. Plus this car was a NYC car before I bought it at 35k so I'm sure that didn't help.


So my questions are:

Do I need new springs as well?
Difference between shocks vs struts?
Anything else involved in replacing a worn out suspension?

People seem to love KONI FSD's which go for about 600, without springs. OEM struts are definitely cheaper but I wonder if its worth it moving up. What does it cost to have this stuff installed usually?

This is basically a commuter car with some (occasionally) "spirited" driving. Car has a pulley, intake, front strut bar, 215/r45-17 tires (not runflats)


Yes I know google is my friend but I like talking about it in forums!
 
You might want to drive a similar car before you spend any money. Worn shocks usually feel floaty, not harsh. What kind of cars are you used to driving? Could it be you're not used to this kind of suspension setup?

Anyway, if you have no intentions of further mods I would stick with OEM replacements. Aftermarket may make the ride harsher. And generally speaking you won't need new springs.
 
How long have you had this car? Just want to know if it has gotten stiffer or you just bought it and think it is too stiff.
 
thedarkwolf said:
How long have you had this car? Just want to know if it has gotten stiffer or you just bought it and think it is too stiff.
Click to expand...

2 years, but i'm not the most astute with this kind of thing. I just think its more harsh than usual and passengers have mentioned it.
 
Go to the dealer and test drive a new one...over bumps and harsh surfaced roads...and compare with the seat of your pants...just to clarify the difference...
THEN...have the suspension components inspected in case a bushing or two are "gone" (degraded/distorted/cracked rubber) though one may actually be gone, causing the harshness...
If there's nothing wrong....consider a softer tire...one with a taller aspect ratio (eg. 55 vs 45) that would offer some cushion...or another brand/model tire that has a reputation for being more a "touring" comfort/quiet tire than a performance tire.
 
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If you don't want a harsh ride, sport suspension is something you don't want. Most people find comfort with touring suspensions. Sport is great for spirited driving but for day to day commuting on sometimes crap roads, it can royally suck. You might lose some cornering ability when you've got the pedal to the floor going up an onramp, but honestly, I'd give that up over comfort 99 percent of the rest of the time.

But yet, have your suspension checked and determine if it's dying or not and whether it's aftermarket, sport or whatnot. From there you can make a decision.

Also, yes, tires make a huge difference. If they're runflats, there's part of the issue. A tire with larger sidewall and moderate air pressure can soak up a lot of roughness on the road.
 
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