Koni Special Active Sport Suspension Dampers - Gen 2 MINI

Koni Special Active dampers are upgraded components for the MINI suspension. They help to improve both the handling and ride quality, where it has previously been hard to achieve a compromise. Special Active Damping is a technology that allows the damper to self-adjust to provide the optimum balance of comfort and handling at any given moment.

How do they work?

Special Active Dampers work purely on hydraulics: there are no censors or wires to fit and no adjustments to make. The dampers do all the work independently, as the hydraulic valve self-adjusts. The damper actively controls the damping level on the basis of the movement frequency of both the car’s body as well as the suspension. Put simply, they recognise the type of road you’re using, and the hydraulics figure out what will give you the best ride.

Sounds good, but give me some examples…

Imagine this – you’re driving at a fairly relaxed pace along a motorway, dual carriageway, or in town. Although your driving speed will differ, the suspension will be moving fairly gently. As the flow of oil through the valve (which controls the damper firmness) is slow, the dampers will be on the soft setting. In this instance, the ride quality is better compared to most standard cars & certainly a standard MINI. The ride feels smoother, more like the car is gliding along, the bumps and road imperfections are absorbed better taking away the “crashy”/harsh ride.

But what if I don’t always drive that slowly…

Not to worry. As your driving goes from relaxed to spirited and the dampers are made to go up and down faster during cornering, the increased flow of oil through the valve forces it to close up. The adjustment of the valve firms up the damper and makes them control the roll (side-to-side) and pitch (front-to-back) of the car better, which makes the car more predictable and stable through corners. The Koni dampers are also able to control the springs better, whether they’re original BMW ones or aftermarket like Eibach or KW. This takes away the typical MINI ‘bounce’ which often makes the car unpredictable in corners: now you have the ability to corner comfortably and precisely, which means more safe fun in your car!

What will the benefits be from installing these dampers?

You’ll find that the car is more comfortable in all driving conditions: potholes, rumble strips and bumps will all be absorbed much better, making them less noticeable. The ride quality in the straight line will improve, there will be less road “noise” transmitted into the car and journeys will be more pleasurable. All this will come with improved handling – more controlled ride, less body roll (especially if coupled with lowering springs), more predictability and stability in corners.

Can Koni Special Active Dampers be combined with any other upgrades?

Just like most suspension parts yes, the Koni Dampers can be combined with other suspension and chassis modifications to make a pronounced difference. One of the most simple and effective additions would be a strut brace. These reinforce the chassis making it more solid, which in turn makes the dampers work better. This combination simply adds to the whole experience, especially by improving turn in.

As mentioned before, the dampers also work well with lowering springs, which will give the car a sportier stance and, due to a lower centre of gravity, improved handling. You can also add anti-roll bars, although don’t confuse these with strut braces. As the name suggests, they reduce the roll of the car from side to side, allowing it to make faster directional changes.

Why should I choose them as opposed to the coilover option?

You should choose the Koni Special Active dampers if you want improved handling and ride quality if you want no or a small amount of lowering. You should choose them if you are tired of a crashy and/or bouncy ride in your MINI! On the other hand, if you want a lot of lowering (over 35mm), you’re considering regularly tracking the car or you want to adjust your damping rates, then you will need a set of coilovers.