Quick question for the more experienced folks.

I just took delivery of an 09 MCS with the standard suspension, and a JCW tune kit. I was planning on an Alta 19mm sway bar as one of the first changes, but I have read several posts by folks saying how much they like the JCW sway bar. The Alta still seems like the better choice since it is bigger (although I am unclear how big the JCW bar is), and it is adjustable for fine tuning to my taste. I do like the idea of all JCW stuff, but not to the extent of major sacrifices. I don't plan on track time, although that sounds really fun, but I do like to turn. I prefer little or no body roll, and understeer scares me more than oversteer. It's all about the fun in daily driving.

Hear is the kicker. It is a lease, and although I believe right now I will buy it at the end of the term, I may not. So warranty benefits might become more important.

Any thoughts?

 

Drive it for a while to see what part of handling you like to improve and whether you find it is OK as it is. Do you find that it understeers? Is it too much? What happens when you lift in a turn? How much oversteer do you want? Are you one that likes to TBO or TTO? etc... If you can find someone close by with the sway bars on their cars, perhaps get a ride to see what that does.

The 09 MCS is already great fun and safe (rather neutral) as a daily driver. You have plenty of time to make changes. At that time, the choice of either JCW (18.5 mm non adjustable) or Alta 19 mm adjustable you mentioned are fine since you are not going to the track.

PS: Understeer is more easily controllable than oversteer.

 

The JCW bar is 18.5 mm.

oops, sorry didn't see that mentioned above.