hey everyone, I'm new to mini i was looking for some suspension mods for the 2012 JCW hardtop. i want to imrove my handling in the car , what are some option i have? i understand coilovers are the main thing, but would sway bars and strut tower help the mini handle better.

 

IMO YES!

What to get depends on funds you want to spend.

1st suspension mod I would do would be a sway bar

Strut bar I would do but I think its more of a personal preference. I did a sway bar for looks and hypothetical future insurance knowing my driving style

If you have the money to burn than coilovers are nice.

I just did springs only to start off with. After I wear out my shocks than I will look at getting a full setup.

As far as which brands to get.... Everyone will have an opinion. My biggest suggestion is call up Way at Way Motor Works. Explain what you want your JCW to do and he will explain what to get and what to stay away from. He won't sell you crap and or more than you need.

 

Non runflats. On my 2011 JCW I have a NM Engineering 22mm sway bar, H&R Street Performance coilovers, and an M7 strut tower brace. I wanted the strut tower reinforcment plates and so I got the brace that goes with it. I don,t know if the brace actually does much, but the sway bar and coilovers are great.

 

what sway bar do you have ?

 

I went with H-Sport 19mm sway bar. Could have done 22mm .... but I am happy with 19mm and it is in the middle hole. I could go a little more aggressive if I want.

I think? If you want to track your MINI all the time than 22mm might be a better fit.

Way suggested H-Sport 19mm for me intentions.

 

haha no im not going to track my mini i just am going to drive it like crazy hahahha

 

That's me.... Drive it like I stole it..... ever since I left the dealership!

Call up Way at Way Motor Works. He will hook you up.

FYI I think many suggest H-Sport vs Alta.... because H-Sport comes with bushings that have grease fittings.

Someone told me that a 22mm their 22mm bar was hallow and weighed less. Might want to ask Way?

I would be nervous about a 22mm because too much can create too much oversteer. For me the 19mm created a great balance ...not too aggressive but removed all my understeering.

Jackson

 

ok, i read some more about it, i was suppose to get a 2011 jcw but the dealership waited to long to put my order in so they missed the dead line so i have had to wait 4 months now for a 2012 but at least ill have all my mods lined up

 

I have the NM engineering 22mm sway bar set on the mildest setting, no oversteer. This is a solid one piece bar, no welds. There is a hollow 25mm bar, don't remember who makes that one. The stock sway bar weighs 6 lbs., so the weight difference between different size bars is insignificant, a couple pounds at most, less than half a gallon of gas or maybe your lunch. For me, a retired machinest, a factor in choosing the NM engineering bar was their bushing block. NM machines a solid aluminum bushing block whereas the other sway bars use those cheesy hangers that look like electricle conduit hangers.

 

I have that hollow 25.5mm sway bar. Its from Hotchkis also known as H-Sport. It replaced the sway bar from the JCW suspension. I also have it set on the mildest setting.

 

ive had a few really bad experiences with bigger rear sway bars on FWD cars so I am too scared to upgrade the one on my mini.

 

Just carry extra underwear and babywipes.

 

i found just wearing an adult diaper the best option.