Well I searched the archives a bit, but I am still not sure about what to do. Most people seem to say to throw a 19 or even a 22 on a standard (not SS+) Cooper. Here is the situation:

I just purchased an 02 Cooper, standard suspension, heated seats, and 16 inch wheels are the only options on it.

I still have the 19mm bar that I removed from my Cooper S (only drove on it maybe 1000 miles).

I already think that the Cooper handles better than my S. I had it up at Lime Rock for the "parade laps" and she felt really great and wouldn't understeer at all (so it seemed to me).

Should I put the 19mm bar on? I have a friend with a Cooper S who is willing to give me a small amount of $ and his stock bar. Should I do that and go with a stock S rear bar?

I am not sure what kind of benefit (if any) I would actually get from it. Anyone out there with some real world experience to shed some light on the subject? Thanks!

 

I also forgot to mention that the car is a year round daily driver and DOES NOT have DSC or ASC. Therefore I think it would be best not to go too neutral. I don't want the tail coming around in the snow.

 

I have a Coooper S SS+ rear bar in my Cooper. Makes the car turn in better then before but I wouldn't say it was neutral, getting there but not quite. The 19mm on it's softest setting (asuming it's adjustable) would still be way stiffer than the SS+ rear bar. I may go to a 19mm rear bar later on but for now the SS+ rear bar is very nice. I'd hold on to the 19mm bar for now and put in the SS+ and see what you think, if that's an option.

 

I have H-Sport Comp bars on and I can't remember what stock feels like. It's been waaay too long....LOL

 

I would put the 19 on. I have a 22 r-speed on the softest setting and if I had it to do over again I would go with a 19.

 

do you plan on autocrossing at all? if you want to stay in HS then trade for the cooper s bar (assuming its the right year with right part number) and aquire ths ss+ springs and your set. so youll have a stiffer rear bar and a set of stiffer springs but will be able to drive year round without any worries.

 

My '04 MC has the standard sport suspension, and I swapped in the 17mm rear bar from the S.
Works a charm, and I have no desire to go with a larger rear bar.
That's my favourite mod, along with heaving the runflats and going with a more compliant tire, Toyo T1R.
My car also has no DSC or ASC+T, and I want to keep the rear end in check in the winter.

 

Thanks, that sounds exactly like what I'm looking for.

 

Concur with mansize, I just put a S sway on my MC and while instantly noticable it shouldn't have any negative effects when conditions get foul. Stock S bars can be had for free from local club members.

 

19mm H&R... hands down!

 

I had an S bar on my R50, now I am running h-sports and a 19mm rear sway, well worth it, handles so much better and turn in is amazing (maybe because I am running neg 2 camber up front, and neg 1.5 camber rear, hehe). I am also running the bar on full stiff setting.

There are a lot of options, and the difference between a 17mm ss+ bar and a 19mm bar on soft are minimal, but if it is adjustable, you have the option to increase the rear stiffness if you want, without much trouble.