Will the JCW brace fit on the JCW equipped car for 2007?Q

 

Yes, but only if you get the version for MINIs with the JCW Tuning Kit.

The part number is 51 71 0 442 352 and it is called the "Suspension Brace JCW Tuning Kit".

I got mine from Morristown MINI for $236 + ship.

Torque spec is 34nm. It installs in 5 minutes.

 

Thank you for the information and response,the reason i asked ,is because i have a 07 MCSa and have installed the JCW CAI,If i recall,the JCW Brace does not fit on the earlier models with the JCW CAI and wanted to confirm before purchasing.Q

 

i kinda wish MINI would design a strut bar that would 1.help prevent mushrooming....and 2. not look like a ebay knock off bar...i seriously had a strut bar on my civic that looks like the one that is for the JCW

 

In case you don't have a torque wrench that measures nm it is 25 ft lbs.

 

I agree with that. I looked for a third-party brace that serves both functions but no luck. If the same bar fits the 09 JCWs, that might improve the market enough to motivate the vendors to ramp it up. And I also agree with the aesthetics of the bar, it ain't pretty even with all of the shine. Plus no JCW badge on it

Hey gmann, congrats on the inbound JCW!! Looking forward to reading your impressions.

 

you don't need it...it's a waste of money....the r56 is already engineered to not need it

 

There's no JCW engraving on the strut brace for cars equipped with the JCW intake but there IS JCW engraving on the strut brace for cars with the standard Cooper S intake? Talk about moronic marketing practices. Just another reason to go aftermarket with the intake as I was going to do anyway.

 

Do you mean the mushrooming problem?

My MA couldn't answer that question, and there seemed to be some conflicting info online, so it would be great if we can escape that possible fate. Thanks!

 

the m7 SRP work to combat mushrooming plus they have a brace that will attach to the plates...might be worth looking into

 

No mention of the fitment for the JCW Tuning Kit tho for any of the following:

Strut reinforcement plates:
http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...roducts_id=120

Add-on cross-brace:
http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...roducts_id=136

Strut tower brace:
http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...roducts_id=135


Interesting that they are making an R56 anti-mushrooming plate!! Hype or needed??

 

Just wanted to check in here. My strut brace that I just got has the logo engraved on it and it's for the R56 with the JCW kit. Installing tonight.

 

I've yet to read about anyone having a mushrooming issue with the R56 either. IMO the strut brace is popular because it's really easy to make, you can't really tell if it does anything (or not), and it's easy to install. Much different than lowering springs, swaybar, exhaust, etc. It may just be for looks. Think about it.

 

My observations on an R53:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=150258

 

If it's not too much trouble, could you post a photo of your strut bar? My brace has no such logo on it. Thanks!

 

Here's a picture of mine on my 09 factory JCW - it's got the John Cooper Works logo engraved in it - a little tough to see on the right side of the bar.

 

Thanks. I just sent a copy of the photo to Morristown MINI, from whom I mail ordered my bar, along with my second request for a comment re: lack of badge on mine, and was I sold a JCW brace or a third party / aftermarket brace.

Thanks again

 

You should have called Classic MINI in Ohio instead 1 800 388-1098 !

Check for a PM

 

I just love the looks of it.. It does have the engraving but i don't feel any difference with the brace on or off...








Coen

 

but here is the question i have been searching for. On the 1st gen mini's everyone says that the m7 strut bar causes the hood to bulge. Nobody has said if this is or will be happaning on the new r56 coopers. I want to do the m7 for the simple fact that it has the plates on it to help prevent mushrooming. Any insight on this would be much apprciated.

 

I have the M7 Strut Plates on 3 of my R-53 MINIs...but no cross brace. I opted to go with the Cravenspeed STD's (Strut Tower Defenders) on my wife's R-56 and on the coming R-55 JCW Clubman. In all honesty, you don't need the cross brace on the R-56 for tower rigidity side to side, unless you're going to race the car. (I know someone will post & disagree with this). But I went with the Cravenspeed vs M7 on our 2nd gen MINIs to prevent mushrooming because I liked the bolt setup better with it....more "bite" on the threads with their design. The M-7 is convenient if you want to add the cross brace

I do have a JCW Strut Brace on our GP (great bling!) but as someone else said I don't notice any difference pre and post bar installation.

To prevent any hood bulging you can use a spray bottle with clear water and soak the hood insulation (this is what you did on the R-53), cover the top of the bar with Saran Wrap, and then close the hood and let it dry out for a couple of days. Makes a great impression in the under hood insulation to "custom fit" the bar to the hood. I'm not sure if the insulation on the R-56 is as thick, but this trick should work equally as well.

 

Ok, what is the magic about the saran wrap around the bar?? (does is make it thicker to make a larger indentation? Why not aluminum foil?)

 

I track my MINI pretty heavily, about 8x already this year and at least 3 more to go, so I like the idea of anything that makes the box more rigid. Even if it's just to delay the advent of future rattles.

Regarding the lack of a badge on my strut bar, Morristown MINI said to make a warranty claim at my dealer at my next service visit.

 

No Magic.....aluminum foil, Saran Wrap, wax paper, doesn't matter. Anything just to keep the moisture/ wet insulation away from the polished surface of the bar while the insulation dries.

 

Do FWD cars really need a strut tower brace to help with bracing? can't imagine 1.6l causing that much body flex...now my father in law's blow 401 AMX is braced across the front nose and fenders...but again...that's 500WHP and over 500 torque...not exactly a mini...under the engine a bar would help with body roll...just a thought...

that said...do they come in another color? thinking red will be under the hood for accent.