Will and 2006 S Sway bar fit on my 2003 Non-s without modification of mount points and such?

I would assume yes but dont know for sure

 

Ummmm......

 

Should fit, everything back there is the same.

Mark

 

next question is the s sway bar longer than the non-s I have heard multiple things on this but no consensus

 

I don't think so. It's thicker, though.

 

I've read that a lot of Cooper's upgrade to an S rear swaybar. So I would say yes. I'll check in my Bentley and see what it says.

 

Good point. It is thicker so you'll need to have the matching bushings and mounting hardware. Other than that, it should be a direct swap with the existing rear sway bar.

 

I beileve the It's all the same just the thickness on the MCS (17mm?). Saw it somewhere in a Grassroots mag a long time ago...

 

Stock MC swaybar is 16mm; MCS comes with 17mm. I replaced my 16 mm with the 17mm and reused the same bushings - when the antisway bar gets any larger new bushings are required.

 

So, how much did the extra millimeter help?

 

I too would like to know if you noticed any difference after installing the "S" 17mm bar. I have an "S" 17mm swaybar sitting in the garage.

Thanks,

retroom

 

I, too, have an S rear bar in my garage, with bushings and hardware. PM me if you are interested in purchasing it.

 

Well - it is not a night and day difference but the car does feel less 'tippy' around corners. Install required removing the left rear strut bolts - I found that proper torque upon reassembly was critical; ie I got new bolts to eliminate a 'loose' feel.

 

If you are going to go through the work of changing the swaybar, why not put in a heavier after-market one? Both the MC and MCS weigh about the same, if the MCS swaybar is considered inferior in the MCS, I would have to assume it's about the same in the MC.

 

Ah, but the front-to-rear delta you achieve with an S rear bar on a Cooper is about the same as you get upgrading the rear bar of an S to 19mm, and more than enough to balance out the handling, if you work the tire pressures. And it's a LOT cheaper. For example...

 

Well said Tazio. I'm not looking for a drastic change and since I already have the S bar, I'll save some $$$.


retroom

 

If that doesn't suit your needs then save up and get a 19mm, that is one of the best mods one can do to a Cooper.

 

If anyone with an MC in the Denver area is interested, my old MCS swaybar is available to a good home.

 

I have a new MCS sway bar with bushing and all that I got for free from the NAM member who sold me his 17" S-Lites take-offs. I guess I should have it swapped. How much time do you think a garage needs to do the job?

 

Should be about a 45 minute job.

 

Thanks for your help.