I was curious if the JCW strut brace made any diffeence to the new MINI platform so I ordered one from Morristown Mini (Ebay-$225 delivered).
Before installation I went on a 5 mile test drive coverening section of the worst pavment I could find around my house. My cars is a 2008 Clubman S with the standard suspension, 17" Pace wheels with Continantal AS RF tires.

The brace arrived just a few days after purchase on Ebay with no shipping charges. I have to say that Morristown Mini is the best source for MINI parts.

The brace is very well made and comes with new attachement nuts. A lot of thought went into the brace, its curved design allows service of the air filter without having to remove the brace. Also there is a cut-out on the right side so it doesn't cover the VIN # of the car after it is installed. Installation is straight forward and only take about 10 miniutes.

Following installation I drove the same 5 mile loop to see if there was any noticeable difference with the bar installed.

Results-It does make a diffeence, it makes the entire car feel more ridgid and less road vibrations are transmitted into the passenger compartment. I can't say this would make any noticable difference on the track, but it does make the car more enjoyable to drive on the street. Also, it made a noticable difference in torque steet, now almost none. I'm quite happy with it.

 

A lot of thought went into the brace


yes a lot of marketing thought.

 

 

this usually the case. I doubt the mini needs any more rigidity, but apparently it does make a difference in the feel

 

the strutbar made not 1 diff in my car.

 

The JCW trut bar made a difference in my JCW. Just drive one with and then one without and the difference is very noticable.

 

I'm sure that's what stig did.

I did the same in my R53. Couldn't tell the difference. Did a blind test too.

 

I am so on the fence about this. I've heard every opinion and they are equally divided as to wasted of money to big difference

 

the jcw bar is pure marketing,save the cash and buy a bar that prevents strut tower mushrooming .

 

It made a difference in your cooper s with a jcw canned tune ?

 

???

Dive a R56 with the strut tower brace and drive one without the strut tower brace brace. It's a noticable difference.

 

Trust me on this the strutbar does NOT make a difference on my factory JCW.

maybe on the cooper s with a jcw kit it makes a difference

 

Well maybe if you did not drive your 2009 factory JCW like my sister drives you could tell the difference...

Actually the R56 is already pretty stiff to begin with so you might not notice it, but the difference is there. Just drive a MINI with it and then without it and you can feel the difference.

 

I wish i was as fast as my sister,she has lapped the real nurburgring(not xbox or playstaion) in 7:36 vs my best time of 7;38.

ask the pros about how stiff the mini unibody is .

 

If the bar works for you that is great,Imho money could be spent on poly busings and then you would really notice a huge difference.

 

I got to try the playstation version.

 

The only game so far that gets close to the real ring is shift need for speed,car physics tho are crap.

Tonight forza 3 comes out so we shall see how it stacks up to the real thing.


2500+ real life laps at the ring

10,000 + software laps at the ring

 

well I do wonder if there's a difference between the Clubman & Cooper JCW as far as stiffness?

I have a Clubman JCW, & there's definitely more roll than my old car(Audi S4 avant); due to potholes in the NE, I can't go to a lower suspension

 

though I'm sure certain people notice a difference with the strut brace, I do believe that the money can be better spent. But if you feel a difference, then the money is well spent. I personally didn't feel a difference on my MCS.

I'd rather spend the money on adjustable camber plates, the MINI's desperately need them.

 

If nothing else it looks sweet!

 

No test, no matter how well meaning or thought out, can be objective unless it's double blind.

 

 

Wow that's an amazing time among some of the best. What were you and your sister driving??

 

a full race gt2 911 set up for 24 hours of nurburgring .

 

Awesome car, my other car is a 911 and I often dream of taking on the Nurburgring. Gran Turismo 4 just doesn't cut it.