considering ordering the strut brace for the MCS. Would like any experiences anyone has had with vs w/o.

Thanks,

 

How can anyone have experience on an 07 car?

If you mean prior to 07, here ya go. Its there. Does it do anything? Doubtful. For normal street driving ... bling. Although it might help with the mushrooming problem.

 

There is not much information to show that front strut braces are helpful, depending upon what helpful means. It seems to vary by car. Strut braces help some cars, on others, it makes little difference.

Because the Mini2 is just coming into the market, it may take some time to find out what people are saying. But, it's a dealer--or owner--installed item. You can order your car without it and then add it later, or possibly an after market product. You might save some $$ or weight that way.

The kind of people who have the strongest need for a bar are the drivers who are in the top 20 in G or H stock at nationals. And, a strut bar does add a bit of weight in a very bad place: forward and high.

Hope this is helpful,

Joe

PS: I ordered my car with a strut brace

 

Pure engine bling on the MINI. Strut towers are so close to the firewall that it has little effect.

...then again, I'll probably end up with one too, so...

 

thanks for the info. So I am to assume that on the street one cannot 'feel' any difference.

 

When I added it to my 06' MCS, I could feel a difference. Not a drastic difference like a rear sway bar, but in daily driving the car seemed more stable and solid, in fast corning the car seems a little more planted with less jitteriness. Bling? Hell yes and I do think it would help with mushrooming. Would I buy it again? Yep

 

On an '07, I'd get one for the anti-mushroom factor if nothing else. The design of the '07 brace looks a lot sturdier and more rigid right over the tops of the strut towers, unlike the mouting rings of the older brace. If the new cars have the mushrooming problem, the new braces look like they might actually prevent some of it.

 

I've got an M7 strut bar. I could feel the difference with the first turn out of the drive way. No ****.

 

I added a JCW strut brace after my wreck on the advice of the body shop owner, who said the car needed it. I feel a difference, but only in the corners and maybe a bit in rough RR grade crossings.

 

Im assuming the 07 brace only fits on 07 Mini's?

I really wanted a JCW strut brace for the blind factor....but after reading the mushrooming threads, people didnt seem to think the JCW would do much for mushrooming. So, I think I'm going to go with the M7 strut tower brace even though I don't like how it looks as much. By the way, if you are considering the M7 STB, note that the picture on their website is dated and no longer comes in the "titanium" or brushed aluminum look. Only in matte black like the plates.

 

What's the average cost people are paying for these? I'd like to install myself to save the labor costs...

 

Hmmm, hadn't thought about that, but I'd bet it does only fit the '07s.

 

Got my JCW strutbrace last monday. Works perfect!! It also looks very nice!

Some pics:




It's a bit bent if you compare it to the "old" JCW-strut. You can't see it on the pictures, but tomorrow when I'm home I post some better pictures.

 

Hey guys, don't have a Mini (yet), but will be getting an 07 if I can work out the money. But my take on STBs is that they are worth it, BUT you should be sure to get one that is as solid as possible with few moving parts, or the closest in design to the JCW bar (since one would assume they know more than most how to design for that car).

 

mine gets fitted thursday ill report back then

 

So did you guys install it yourselves, or did you order it with the car? If you intslaled it, how much effort is it?

I am going tobe ordering my car in a couple of weeks and noticed I can order the JCW brace with the car, but it appears it would be installed at the dealership.

Curious. The mounting of the bar does not appear to anchor to the firewall in the center. Are the only mounting points located at the ends of the brace, at the towers?

 

Hey dude,

Yeah, most STBs only tie into the two towers. What does this do, one might ask? Simple:

It ties the strut towers together and effectively extends the rigidity of the firewall forward without having to do massive structural bracing. By tying the strut tower bars together, it reduces front end body flex under load (steering), and the car will move more predictably. Even on the MCS, you should see a small improvement. If you do not though, this is not to say it's not working. You may not be stressing it enough to notice the difference. IMHO, this should really be standard equipment on most cars, as it helps the car to go in the direction you want it to.

 

Thanks ncc74656m. I do know what the purpose of it is, but all the strut braces I have used on other cars had an anchor point to the top of the firewall to further stabilize the strut brace in the side-to-side motion.

It may not be possible or neccessary in the MC. Just thought I would ask as I could not tell from the pictures.

 

Also forgot to add:

Installing an STB yourself is REALLY easy. 2-6 bolts on the Mini and drop the STB on, and replace the bolts and you're gold. It couldn't be easier.

 

Oh, ok, yeah, so the STB in the MCS doesn't attach to the firewall. And actually, I've noticed this is a rarer thing. Only car I've seen like that is the Mazda Miata, I think it was.

 

Any one know if the JWC Strut brace will clear the new JWC Intake? I would assume it would but the brace came out frist.