I'm looking at rear sway bars for my R53. I see many people have the H-Sport 19mm (which if I'm reading correctly is a Hotchkis bar). Looking at the Hotchkis site the 19mm sport bar (22800R) is called "tubular" but it doesn't specify hollow or solid. Some vendors state it is hollow while others say it is solid. My understanding is that solid bars are stiffer than a hollow bar of the same diameter and I want to make sure I'm buying the right product.

I was also considering a 20mm Whiteline which I wouldn't think would be too different than a 19mm, but I saw someone here said the softest setting on the 20 was the same as the hardest on the 19. I'm not looking for oversteer.

Thoughts?

 

The 19MM bar is solid. The 25MM Comp. bar is hollow.

I have the hollow bar & am very satisfied.

 

You musta missed the vendor announcement a few days ago from MotoringWerks for their Koni FSD sale. Also listed there was the Alta 19mm and 22mm bar on sales which I just ordered this weekend. It is solid. You can get the full writeup and order information at:
http://www.motoringwerks.com/p-3640-...sway-bars.aspx

If you want to install it yourself there is complete information with pictures at the following URLs.

Subject: Swaybar bolt torque values
14 ft lbs--bushings mounting bracket bolts
41 ft lbs--drop link/upper mounting bolts on rear struts
74 ft lbs--subframe bolts
103 ft lbs--lower strut bolt

http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/foru...read.php?t=415
http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniManiaSwayBar.pdf
http://www.billswebspace.com/Hotchki...stallation.pdf

 

The hollow bar is much lighter than a solid bar. Cost is more but if weight is an issue, you should consider the hollow bar.

 

Apexer- Thanks for the clarification. I thought that was the case, but after seeing multiple sites call the 19mm a hollow bar I started to worry.

And thanks to you too Brick. I do plan on installing it myself, so those torque number will help. At the end of the day the Alta, Whiteline, H-sport and H&R rear bar are all within $20 of each other shipped. I think I'm going to go with the H-Sport bar since it comes with not only the bar and bushings but new bushing brackets with zerk grease fittings for easy re-lubin'.

 

Like my favorite car care guys says: "Have fun in your garage". I'm not so well equiped with the right tools or patients, so I'll have to farm mine out.

 

For an R53 I would recommend the Hsport Comp bar it is the perfect fit for an R53 on the middle setting. Doesn't matter if it's a daily driver or track car it will be GREAT.
I use the Hsport bars and only recommend them as they fit perfect, the quality is #1, the bushings last and hold the grease, and they have grease fittings. Not to mention the Comp bar is the lightest bar on the market. It's what I have on each of my MINI's and you know I can get any I want.

 

Not sure the price difference, but if the H-Comp Bar is not way more $$, I'd suggest you consider going that route.