I am considering adding the strut brace to my JCW. I have had the car about 3 weeks and find it kind of twichy on hard acc. Thinking this may help. Dealer install for 4 bills. Any opinions, will this just be for show? I no shelby put it on his cars in the 60's.

 

In theory it should provide stability when cornering.

That said, $400 for dealer installation is a bit much. You can find the bar around the web for $200. Takes about 5 minutes to install. Save yourself some money.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/...l-install-pdf/

 

+1

I got mine for about $225 shipped. It really takes only 5 minutes to install. Easy-peasy. Just make sure you have a proper lower range torque wrench. A friend of mine used a larger toque wrench (like one for wheels) and snapped a bolt on the strut tower.

 

I installed an M7 strut bar for one reason only. It was part of strut defenders.

Mark

 

Can anyone say if they actually noticed any difference in handling with the strut bars? I know they look cool but ... ?

 

Honestly, I don't remember how much difference it made. I can't tell on the JCW because I installed it the same day I got the car.... and when I first installed it on the '08, I can't remember.

I would think it would have had to make a difference because a lot of manufacturers install them from the factory. If they didn't help, why spend the extra money?

 

The MINI is already so stiff there is negligible help from a strut brace. You are unlikely to notice a difference on the street.

 

Something I should have clarified. I didn't install the strut bar because I wanted a strut bar.

I installed the strut bar because I wanted the strut defenders that prevent any mushrooming of the strut tower.

It just happened that M7 sold a set of strut defenders with a strut bar.

 

Anyone know what the proper torque is for the strut brace bolts?

 

34 NM

 

In theory, a STB will tighten-up the front end and improve handling. From all that I have read for the MINI, in practice any STB will NOT have a significant affect on handling.

 

Another question. Is it prudent to use some loctite blue when installing the brace, or is it not needed?

 

I didn't see any blue on the threads when I removed the original strut tower bolts, so I didn't use any when I attached the strut brace.

 

+1 I had a STB on my R53; removed it before I sold that car, and it definitely made a measureable difference. On the R56, it seems to be pretty much for aesthetic purposes only. Or, as orangecrush alluded to above, it will add to stability of the strut towers - though in this regard, the JCW brace will not have the same benefit as many others because it only covers two bolts. And of course the M7 brace with defenders offers the ultimate protection.

 

What do you mean by that? Mine required 3 bolts on each side to attach.

 

My 2005 S w/15% reduction and JCW airbox didnt have a strut brace and when I aggressively approached tight roundabouts, I swear I could sense the body flexing-- My 2009 MCSa JCW has a strut brace, and when I do the above I sense no flex, it just feels tighter, more "riding the rail" tighter...

people argue back and forth, but there must be some merit to them, because my 1970 Mustang Mach 1 from high school had an extensive strut-firewall bracing system, I think all unibody muscle cars had them. Tighten up the extremities, esp if there's a boatload of torque.

Oh and OC I didnt know mushrooming was an issue on the R56? I mean compared to the older cars...

 

I've driven a car with and then mine 2 minutes later and you can deffinantly feel a differnce. I just got my m7 STB and RCB yesterday. I'll have the RCB installed tomorrow night but the STB in need the torque rench. My buddy has one but he is in NJ and I'm in CT so i'll have to make a trip one day to get it done.

I think this is one of those topics that you can argue back and forth on. Some peopel feel the differance some people don't. At least nobody is getting mean on this thread. I can accross one months back were people were getting very heated over this subject.

 

There isn't that I know of. Being in the bodyshop business, I couldn't tell that much difference in the strut towers.

Guess I'm just paranoid...

 

That is why I ordered the M7 STB just for the piece of mind plus i think it is the best looking and i know a few people that have it.

 

Hey, why don't you throw the JWC up on your table and measure deflection with the laser? Chain down the tires and jack up one front wheel, take a measurement with the laser with and without the bar. Then you'll know for sure.

I have the m7 strut towers defenders too. I was thinking about getting the bar someday.

 

Is the M7 STB a BMW brace, how much cost?