I want to install a strut bar to my MCS engine bay, but it seems like it would interfere with me doing oil cartridge changes every time i change the oil (5k). I would hate to have to remove the strut bar every time i change the oil as that would seem like a hassel. What do you guys/gals do to make this easier?

 

the M7 strut brace seems to solve that problem quite well.

 

It only takes 4 minutes or so to remove the M7 brace. A strut bar will definitely be in the way at oil change time.

 

Why do you want to add a top strut bar? I believe the benefits will be minor and it will be in the way for oil changes. I change my oil frequently so it would be a pain. If wanting to add the bar to protect against strut tower mushrooming, just add tower reinforcement plates or camber plates instead of a bar. If adding the bar for improved handling, I would instead suggest a lower strut brace.

 

The M7 strut bar can be removed very easily as stated above. I just removed mine about 2 weeks ago for an oil change. I can, however, still do the oil change with it on. It's a pain, but can be done. If you are trying to improve handling, then the bar would provide some results. It's an up in the air thing about whether the bars actually help or not. You can really tell it works on a car that has no suspension work done on it. On a lowered car, you can"t tell so much. The fact is, anything you do to brace the car is a good thing.

 

One overlooked mod that helps (IMO) about as much as a strut bar are the cabrio strut braces when added to a non-cabrio....subtle, but noticable...they also stablize the strut towers. At about $50, they are a great mod IMO. Some say they are a waste of money... Just depends if you drive with finesse IMO, you will notice the change.

 

+1

 

do you mean the cabrio strut tower support rails shown here:

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...tible_r52.html

 

Yup those are the ones. Have you done a rear swaybar? That would be a better investment.

 

it would help to have a mini first wouldn't it? hehe i'm picking up my 2006 mcs soon. planning some mods. will definitely do 19mm rear sway and something to counter the mushrooming. either the strut tower reinforcements or the m7 bar. thought about those rails but figured it was overkill on a mainly street driven car (it will do some track time when i'm too lazy to tow my racecar )

 

Counter both understeer and mushrooming at the same time by getting a set of IE fixed camber plates. Bumps camber from anywhere between .4-.6 degree up to about 1.6-1.8 degree. The plates are beefy too so they prevent mushrooming. A set of IE plates runs about $180 new plus a front end alignment after install. If you factor in the alignment you probably end up around 230-280 out of pocket.

 

Good call!! This was practically the first thing I did to my '05 when I got her. I bought her with mushroomed towers. MINI fixed the towers and I installed the IE fixed camber plates and M7 strutbar. Very good investment.

 

Doing oil and filter changes with a strut brace in place is not a problem. I do mine from the bottom. It is not really a big deal.
Steve