For spirited driving driving, but no autox or track, is this a good move? In about 10,000 miles I am going to replace my 16" runflats with 205/50-16 non runflats.

 

19 will be fine i have the 19 alta on my 2012 s coupe i track the car and it works fine in the middle setting.i think its the best mod if you only do one this is it.

 

I just did a 22mm Rear Sway Bar and Endlinks on Molly a month ago...my thoughts...go with the 22mm on the softest setting *Goldilocks says* "It's just right!!"

Remember she's a "Justa", but as always I bought the best $$ can buy. Had it installed at a Club Tech Day, haven't had it runnin' flat out...yet...we've go a Club Run coming up next Saturday so I'll have a better feel for how well it will perform when put to the test. I will say though I am so glad I went with the 22mm, it has made the ride so much smoother and I am not all over the road when I'm on the Highway and get into the Studded Tire Grooves...HATED that before...now I barely even notice they are there.

UPDATE: took Molly out on a nice 75+mi. run today, just her and I, went E on Hwy 14 to the Stevenson turn off, then headed back home via same route. Had a blast, very smooth ride, and little braking in the Twisties, though they are nothing to what is coming up on Saturday...can't wait!!

I may try tomorrow to follow same route, except continue E on Hwy 14 to Wind River Rd through Carson, WA, then continue NNW to NF30 (aka Meadow Creek Rd), then back onto Wind River Rd (LOTS of Twisties here!!), funny Wind River Rd becomes Meadow Creek Rd again, L on Curly Creek Rd, another NF Rd (NF 90), NF 90 becomes No 10 Rd, L on Hwy 90, Hwy 90 follows Swift Resevoir and more Twisties, the northern most point of Swift Resevoir has the most stunning views of Mt Saint Helens, continuing along Hwy 90 it becomes Lewis River Hwy, traveling through Cougar, WA, Yale Lake will be on your left, taking a left onto State Route 503 for a few more miles will take you on the backside of Battle Ground, then I'll head SSW and end up right back at home. Don't know how long it will take, it really doesn't matter I'll be MOTORING!!

 

Added the 19mm adjustable ALTA and KONI FSD struts a couple of months ago when MotoringWerks had them on sale. Started out in position 2 then just a 3 weeks ago moved it to #3 and wonder why I wasted the time at #2. Holy hairpins! What a difference. Go for it, 19 or 22, whichever.
The percentage of rate increase is on the ALTA website to help you make a decision.
http://www.altaperformance.com/p/142

 

For what your doing with the car a 19mm rear sway bar will work perfect. We suggest either the Hsport 19mm or TSW 19mm sway bar. Very similar in design, but the important part that sets them apart from other brands is the bushings they use will actually hold the grease in, and have zerk fittings to regrease them later. The powdercoat quality is also higher than other brands we've seen flake off.

We do have the TSW bar a little cheaper right now.

 

While I will add the larger swaybar, I am wondering about the differences between the the 195/55 and 205/50 ( knowing the latter is slightly in diameter ) in handling sensations, stickiness, and ride.

 

DIY installed a 22mm Alta rear sway bar figuring I could always dial it back. Initially used the the middle setting and was utterly amazed at the difference. Just recently moved it to the stiffest setting and all that can be said is OMG to the third power. This MINI is now only limited by it's tires/suspension, my right seater's frequent hyperventilated gasps and flailing panic grabs for the chicken handle. Whatever size or brand of rear sway bar you install, you will have no regrets except you won't be able to wipe the grin off. It's the best bang for the buck mod I have yet found. My only regret however is not having done this install 6 years ago. Good luck.

 

Handling, ride, and stick are more determined by brand and style of tire you get rather than just size. I'd read up on different brands in your price range as see what you think fits your bill.

 

I have a 22 mm Alta on middle setting on my 2012 Justa with stock 175/65-15 tires. Just awesome.

 

Hello out there. Got my R56 (2012 hardtop non-S) 2 1/2 weeks ago and do not like the "loose" feeling even with the Sport button on every time I get in the car and the 16" alloys I had built in because I thought they would help.

Do I need a sway bar (whatever that is) and, if so, anything else? And where to get it installed? Does installing any of this nullify my maintenance and extended maintenance warranties? I'm in the process of ditching the came-with non-runflats and finding the best tire for my needs (TrakTire). Until then, every little bit helps.

I know, I know...a lot of questions. Can't help it, MINI is new to me and I want/need to feel safe/the illusion of control on the road again.

Thanks.

 

Yesterday PDX MINI did a Club run from S. Salem to Estacada 206mi. with plenty of Twisties, loved the ride, but wanted to see if I was missing anything by keeping it on the "softest" setting, so I asked our Resident Cert. MINI Mechanic to bump it up when I have him do the Rear Brakes, or at least that is what I thought I had asked him, before I knew it he had already done it!!

So now I'm in Setting #2 according to the Alta Website, the next run won't be until August 19th, I'm anxious to see how this setting is. My drive home once I left his house was not really spirited as I don't know the area well, but it is a good hour home.

I may be able to test it out next weekend with a run up to Ocean Park with Hubby as my co-pilot, we shall see.

 

A sway bar (also known as an anti-roll bar) is effectively a spring that connects the two wheels on one end of the car. The idea is when the car leans toward the outside of a corner, the movement of the inboard wheel down helps push the outboard wheel down as well, keeping the car from leaning as much.

Most MINIs have one at the front and another at the rear. This discussion is about replacing the one at the rear of the car with a thicker, more effective one.

I don't know what you mean by your car feeling "soft", so I can't tell you if a larger sway bar will help correct that or not.

 

Psycho,
Change the tires first.

 

And be sure to rotate them regularly abt. every 5K.

 

Hey, thanks. Will do on the tire change as number one mod. I have runflats and it appears they are part of the problem. Looks like I'll be back to the dealer to haggle a possible switch and install (only have 300 miles on 'em)...or sell them, stat. Off to TireRack and other threads for recommendations. *smile of appreciation*

 

Rotate... You mean front to back? If So I did that at 5K miles, due to do it again though.

 

I just ordered the 22mm bar from mini-madness. Looks like a quality bar, there is a good installation video they put together that highlights the features of the bar and walks through the installation process.

They recommend to start with the middle setting, so I will probably do that - although depending how neutral it gets I may run the soft setting on the street to make the car a bit safer for my wife and daughter who also will be driving the car. I would then go with a stiffer setting for autox or track use.

I will be adding a set of factory sport springs at the same time.

 

I've got a 19mm HSport rear bar (installed by Way at the AMVIV Vegas gig in 2008). What it does is reduce understeer, which the Mini has plenty of. I like it a lot. The risk that one takes is going to a thicker bar (22mm for instance) is that if you get into a little trouble by going into a turn too fast and you have to lift off the throttle to slow the car down the car wants to swap ends, to spin out (ie it oversteers). So go with a thicker bar knowing that risk exists. It's meant for better drivers. I've a good road driver, but maybe not that good.