I have always been the type to pay a little more now for something that is built better, rather than getting cheap parts and having them break again. That being said I really want to get something to help my strut towers not mushroom and maybe add some strength. I don't have the money for a nice alta or m7 strut bar right now, but I saw this and was wondering if it was worth the $50 to use until I do the other mods I want before getting a nicer one.

So in short : Is this worth the money or will it more or less do nothing to help prevent mushrooming/ rigidity?

 

Looks like a good bar but... If you are looking for strut tower mushroom help I would pass.

 

I think the fact that the bars mounting only goes around not even half of the strut tower means that it will not keep the shrooms at bay. I have an M7 strut bar & while I'm not covinced it stiffened the car up much it has kept me from having shrooms for the past 75,000 miles. IMO the best thing to do to prevent shrooming is a set of camber plates. Not only do you gain protection from shrooms you also enhance your handling. I'm running Ireland Engineering fixed plates & couldn't be happier.

 

Yea? shame lol - What I want to get in the end is this piece.

I feel lucky that my 05 MCS hasn't really shown any signs of it yet and wanted to protect it from getting it/ getting worse.

Also - any alta intakes for r53 auto in red going on sale again soon?

 

Is this something like what you are talking about? since the fixed plates they sell are $188 it seems and the bar is $220 I would rather get the bar ... Or were you saying the fixed plates would be better than the bar?

 

That one should do it if you like the bling. But for not a lot of money you can go with camber plates. Protection + handling =

 

For my money the fixed plates are the better option. Although both a strut bar & plates would be best. With camber plates you can't open the bonnet & show off a shiny part.

http://store.nexternal.com/shared/St...unt2=734000802

Just my .02 here & worth every penny.

EDIT... Just looked at the IE strut brace, nice & beefy. IMHO looks better than the M7 version I own.

EDIT 2... You have to figure in the cost of installing the camber plates plus the cost of an alignment. The strut brace is a 5 minute DIY install.

 

Yea I am really glad you had mentioned the IE stuff, the bar is the best looking to me - not too bling yet still looks good That will prob be the first part I will get for the suspension since I enjoy DIY work

 

The GTT Front strut bar is awesome looking, and is followed by the promini bar. If you want protection, the craven STDs are the best things out there for the top side. Now couple that with a beefy camber plate, or a set of these http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...nderators.html

And you are golden. Even the "underators" will help protect the towers.

 

Just to throw into the mix, I'd recommend adjustable camber plates. This way you can get the camber on both sides to match. Plus you could try going up to -2º if you wanted. I think that most fixed will only get you about -1.25º to -1.50º anyway. Even then, one side might be at -1.3º and the other is at -1.5º, A handling nightmare.

 

I have IE fixed plates. I'm running 1.9 & 2.0 IIRC & it is a handling dream for me. You are correct both sides may differ a bit. Far from a nightmare though.

 

Remember, what ever bar you purchase, ensure it accomodates what ever brand of intake you desire for the future. One bar I know of can only be used with their air intake, and some others have clearance issues.

FYI: The M7 combo strut bar and reinforcing plates cleared my Alta intake even with the Alta lid, and should clear every other box out there.

Just don't want to see you get into a jam later on.

 

Save your money till you can get exactly what you want. There's no sense in buying mods then remoding later.

 

South Florida shouldn't have that many potholes, which is probably the prime cause of the issue. And where I live potholes thrive.

I bought my M7 bar used, saved about 80 bucks.

Way's got it right. Save your bucks until you can get what you want, new or used.