Can anyone tell me are the rear bars the same for R53 and R56. By this can they be interchanged? Thanks

 

very curious to know this too, from what i have read, they are, but no conclusive answers yet

 

No, they aren't 100% identical, but yes, they can be interchanged.

See this thread, posts #6 & #22 for stock sizes from variants of both models.

(off-topic) Gmann, did you get my PM?

 

so the JCW r56 bar will fit an r53?

 

Yep! However, you'll also need the matching rubber mountings, as they are sized for the diameter of the bar.

 

That's too much work for a 1mm gain. IMHO

 

1.5mm.

 

all depends on what you are looking to do

 

You can upgrade to an IE sway bar the only one with adjustable end links and adjust it from near stock to OMG stiff depending on what you are looking to do.

 

 

I understand you sell IE, but some people may be looking for the stock appeal.

 

Heh - I wondered if someone would say that. Point taken, but it is a 50% difference from 1mm... and if MINI decided to supply an 18.5mm bar with the R56 JCW suspension instead of the 18mm that comes with the R56 Sport Suspension, there's probably at least some kind of tangible difference!

 

or mebbe you are reading too much into it. That might just work out to nice round SAE size and zee Germans put a precise metric conversion on it :p

 

Well I guess we'll have to actually measure and compare it to the other OEM RSBs!