KONI 8745-1012R Special Active FSD Front Right Strut Red MINI Cooper S R50 R53

Vehicle Fitment

• 2002-2006 MINI Cooper Hatchback (R50; I4 1.6L W10B16A, FWD)
• 2004-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible (R52; I4 1.6L W10B16A, FWD)
• 2002-2006 MINI Cooper S Hatchback (R53; I4 1.6L W11B16A Supercharged, FWD) - Incl. JCW
• 2004-2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible (R52; I4 1.6L W11B16A Supercharged, FWD) - Incl. JCW

Fitment Notes

• Front Right (Passenger Side) complete strut assembly. This is a handed unit - Right side only. The companion Front Left (Driver Side) strut is KONI 8745-1012L, sold separately. Two front struts (one left, one right) are required for a complete front axle installation.
• This is a COMPLETE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY with integrated KONI Special Active FSD technology - not a cartridge or insert. The 8745-1012R replaces the entire OEM front right MacPherson strut on the Gen 1 MINI as a direct bolt-on unit.
• Fits the first-generation MINI (R50/R52/R53 platform, 2002-2008) in all standard and Cooper S variants, including John Cooper Works (JCW) editions. Both the Hatchback (R50/R53) and Convertible (R52) body styles are supported.
• Not compatible with lowering springs. The KONI Special Active FSD technology is specifically calibrated for OEM spring rates and stock ride height. Using performance lowering springs with this strut is not recommended by KONI and may degrade FSD performance. This strut is designed for stock-height applications only.
• The KONI Special Active FSD strut requires no user adjustment - the FSD valve automatically adapts damping in real time to road conditions and driving inputs. No knobs, settings, or removal adjustment is required or available.
• Sold per strut - one unit only. Two units are required for a complete front axle installation. The companion rear shock is KONI 8045-1232.

Features

• KONI Special Active 8745 Series front strut with patented Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology - the strut automatically differentiates between large, low-frequency body motions (cornering, braking, acceleration) and small, high-frequency road surface inputs (expansion joints, rough pavement, road texture), applying firm control to the former and soft compliance to the latter in real time, without any driver input or electronic systems.
• No adjustment required or available - the FSD valve is fully self-regulating and passive, eliminating the need to choose between a sport setting and a comfort setting. The strut delivers improved body control and improved ride quality simultaneously compared to worn OEM struts.
• Twin-tube, low-pressure gas-charged construction with KONI's FSD valve integrated into the strut body - providing frequency-selective behavior passively, without sensors, wiring, or electronics, making it a true plug-and-play replacement for the OEM front strut.
• Red-painted strut body - KONI Special Active's distinctive finish, consistent across the Special Active product family.
• Specifically engineered for the R50/R52/R53 Gen 1 MINI's front MacPherson strut geometry and suspension character - improving body roll resistance, front-end composure, and ride quality over worn OEM struts while retaining the lively, connected driving feel characteristic of the Gen 1 MINI platform.
• Technology proven across over 10 million factory-equipped vehicles worldwide - KONI's FSD technology is used as original equipment by multiple major automakers.
• Backed by KONI North America's Limited Lifetime Warranty for street use in the United States and Canada.

Specifications

• Part Number: 8745-1012R (also referenced as 8745 1012R / 87451012R)
• Product Line: KONI Special Active 8745 Series
• Technology: Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) - automatic, self-regulating; no user adjustment
• Component Type: Front Strut - Complete MacPherson Strut Assembly
• Position: Front Right (Passenger Side)
• Companion Front Left Part: KONI 8745-1012L
• Companion Rear Part: KONI 8045-1232
• Damper Color: Red
• Internal Design: Twin-Tube, Low-Pressure Gas-Charged
• Valving Adjustability: None - FSD automatic, no user adjustment
• Lowering Spring Compatibility: Not compatible - OEM/stock springs and stock ride height only
• Re-buildable: Yes
• Quantity: Sold individually (per strut)
• Application: 2002-2008 MINI Cooper / Cooper S (R50/R52/R53) - FWD, Incl. JCW, Stock Ride Height Only

Included Components

• 1x KONI Special Active 8745-1012R Front Right Strut Assembly (Red)

Product Description

The KONI 8745-1012R is the Front Right (Passenger Side) complete MacPherson strut from KONI's Special Active 8745 Series, featuring KONI's patented Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology. It is engineered for the first-generation MINI (R50/R52/R53 platform) across all standard body styles and powertrains in the North American market - the MINI Cooper Hatchback (R50, 2002-2006), MINI Cooper S Hatchback (R53, 2002-2006), and MINI Cooper/Cooper S Convertible (R52, 2004-2008), including John Cooper Works editions. The companion left-front strut is KONI 8745-1012L. As a complete strut assembly, it replaces the entire OEM front right strut as a direct bolt-on unit.

The 8745-1012R uses KONI's FSD valve to automatically adapt front strut damping in real time. Large, low-frequency body motions - cornering loads, dive under braking, and body float - are met with firmer control, while small, high-frequency road surface inputs pass through with soft compliance. This passive, self-regulating technology requires no driver adjustment, operates without electronics or sensors, and delivers improved body control and ride comfort simultaneously compared to worn OEM struts. An important limitation: this strut is specifically calibrated for OEM spring rates and stock ride height. KONI does not recommend use with lowering springs, as the FSD valve is tuned for the OEM spring's frequency characteristics.

Sold individually as a single right-front unit. The companion left front is KONI 8745-1012L and the rear shock is KONI 8045-1232. Backed by KONI North America's Limited Lifetime Warranty for street use in the United States and Canada.