I have a naive question for you. I got a new MCSC last month, and I love it. What I don't love is the body roll on corners compared with my old MCS. Of course this is due to the fact that you can't get the sport suspension plus on the convertibles. You can't even get the JCW suspension for the convertible. Is there something that I can do to make cornering better?

 

a set of h-sport springs and sway bars will help you out a lot. firms up the ride, but not making it harsh.

 

The sway bar set would reduce body roll and raise suspension frequency (more manuverable)

The springs would improve handling by lowering the roll center (also less body lean) and the center of gravity.

 

I have the cabrio S and installed the M7 springs and R-Speed 22mm rear sway bar. The ride is as compliant as stock and if the runflats are replaced with regular performance tires, the ride is more smooth than stock but w/o the lean.
Mick

 

I think one of the reasons that MINI does not offer the Sport Suspension + on the Cabrio is because of the reduced body stiffness. I would be cautious in stiffening the suspension, there may be some adverse reactions.

 

Can you add a front and rear strut bar to lessen the stress off
the chassis?

 

I would tend to think the primary reason for the more compliant suspension is the customer base demands a more compliant ride, and not that the chassis isn't up to the task.

 

When you cut the top off a sedan to make a Cabrio you loose a significant amount of chassis integrity. I expect that there will be considerably more flex from the Cabrio chassis that will reveal itself as squearks and rattles as the various plastric bits shift. Stiffer sway bars and higher rate springs will tranfers higher loads to the compromised chassis.

Does anyone have any official knowledge about chassis reinforcement that might have been installed by the factory during the creation of the Cabriolet? This is a common practise, often involving plating added to the floor, the bulkhead behind the rear seat(this is missing from many modern cars including the MINI), or firewall of the chassis.

 

The Cabrio has (as far as I know):
*reinforced A-pillar and windshield frame
*strut tower to front frame rail braces
*a huge rear subframe brace that attaches to several points on the main frame rails.

 

Let's add these braces on our non-convertible MCS's and see happens!

 

A professional MINI driver drove my cabrio with me as passenger this weekend at Carolina Motorsports Park and felt that the car did not suffer from any reduced stiffness and handled like other MINIs. My car has the M7 springs which lower it a lot and the R-Speed 22mm rear sway bar. I was so impressed with how this car handled on the twisty roads in NC (to Brevard-Cashiers-Highlands-Franklin-to Deals Gap) that I don't know how any other MINI could do better. The new gearing in this car is phenomenal...especially on extremely twisty roads.
Mick

 

I've had the braces on back-order for while now. Back in Sept. they were "restricted" part numbers, which probably meant that the factory was hogging all the supply. Now we can at least back-order them. Now I just sit and twiddle my thumbs.....kinda

 

Seriously? You think the added stiffness would be worth all the added weight?

 

These same braces makes putting in the sway bar a pain in the rear (of the car.) They also make none of the aftermarket lower restrictive exhausts fit the car at this time. The cabrio is still heavier than the S and in most books heavier is not good for performance. I think finding the right combination of lowering, stabilizing, and grip pay the big dividends. My combination may not trip your trigger but it sure does mine and really that is what matters to me... when I get home from driving those twisty roads knowing that I have not ever enjoyed how a car performed with me in the drivers seat...that's why I love this car. Having the top down doesn't suck either!

Mick

 

When you installed the M7 springs...were they for the convertible? Have you ever driven a hatch with M7 springs? If so, do the springs react the same or are they different? H&R stated the car being heavier, needed greater spring rate to control weight.

 

I don't believe the springs are made for the convertible only as they are the same springs used on the hatch. My prior MINI was a 02 Cooper with a different maker's springs. These are more compliant in everyday driving but performed as wanted when pushed at the track. I don't know how they would work w/o the sway bar as both were installed at the same time. I imagine that they would behave in a very similar manner in the hatch as there is only a 200 -250 lb difference. The response might be a bit faster and a bit stiffer with the hatch. Hopefully someone else with just the M7 Springs will put in their 2 cents worth.

Mick

 

I'm planning on putting a RSpeed rear sway bar on my MCSC. What can I expect with the sway bar? How hard is installation?

 

The sway bar will stiffen things up well and make the car more tossable into a turn. There is less lean in corners and you feel more in control in a curve. The installation requires that you loosen the extra braces toward the back of the convertible so you will have extra labor and frustration during installation.

 

Do you know of a site that has instructions? I'm interested but would like to install myself unless it's too hard.

 

http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forum...topic.php?t=14
It's much easier then it looks.

 

Thanks for the link.
What about the extra braces toward the back of the convertible?

 

I have the front and rear sway bars and I think they work great.

 

The installation requires more attention then the hardtop...sliding braces out of the way, lowering(not removing) rear exhaust canisters, all in efforts to get to the center bolt holding the rear subframe. Definitely need lift or jack stands in addition to a floor jack.

Installation was definitely rewarding but a pain. Only suggest to mechanically inclined.

I also installed springs at a later time.

 

I found instructions to install the sway bar but do you know where I can find additional instructions for the convertible?

 

strider209

At the time there were no additional instructions for install. I had to call randy web for some advice. After speaking with him, I decided to experiment as follows:


1. follow the directions to install the sway bar as shown on webbmotorsport.com unitl step 5. If you have the center bolt...the rear subframe most likely did NOT drop. You would see a gap.

From here the convertible is a little different. You are trying to undo the center subframe bolt. (I THINK ONLY THE CONVERTIBLE HAS THIS EXTRA BOLT...IT IS LOCATED UNDER THE HEAT SHIELD NEAR THE FRONT OF THE EXHAUST CANISTER & WHERE THE DOWNPIPE ENDS)

2. there are braces underneath the the convertible...you can either remove them completely or unscrew the bolts near the rear subframe and rotate them towards the side.

3. support one of the exhaust canisters and remove the hangers. You will see bolt on either side of the canisters. Lower the exhaust enought to access the underneath the heat shield. KEEP THE EXHAUST SUPPORTED.

4. use a jack to support the rear subframe and remove the center bolt. Slowly lower the rear subframe enough to reach the and remove center bolt. KEEP THE JACK THERE.

5. follow directions to remove sway bar.

6. follow the above directions in reverse to assemble.

Let me know if you need any more info.
Its not that bad... i never took apart a rear subframe on any vehicle. I felt mechanically comfortable with my abilities.