R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Anyone with experience with the M7 chassis braces?

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Old Feb 12, 2019 | 02:19 PM
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From: Stuart, FL
Anyone with experience with the M7 chassis braces?

So I am still in the works of learning all I can about my r53. Working on power mods and normal maintenance crap right now but I’m looking at the stage 3 kit from m7 with the front and rear and underbody chassis braces once I get all that straight. Seeing if anyone has experience with them and if they make that much difference ??

https://www.m7tuning.com/gen-1-r53-m...nt-kit-stage-3
 
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Old Feb 12, 2019 | 02:29 PM
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Don't bother they make more issue than good as we have installed several and the difference is very little if any, and they front brace is a pain as the nutsert that goes in the body can easily pull out.
If you really want bracing we made a one piece strut bar
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-st...e-r52-r53.html

and the TSW brace works well for the underside as it actually crosses the open section of the body rather than following the subframe where stiffening isn't needed.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-xbrace.html

Bracing does make more of a difference on the cabrio than on the hardtop. That is why MINI added the front strut tower to frame rail braces, and the rear subframe braces.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2019 | 04:49 PM
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From: Stuart, FL
Originally Posted by WayMotorWorks
Don't bother they make more issue than good as we have installed several and the difference is very little if any, and they front brace is a pain as the nutsert that goes in the body can easily pull out.
If you really want bracing we made a one piece strut bar
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-st...e-r52-r53.html

and the TSW brace works well for the underside as it actually crosses the open section of the body rather than following the subframe where stiffening isn't needed.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-xbrace.html

Bracing does make more of a difference on the cabrio than on the hardtop. That is why MINI added the front strut tower to frame rail braces, and the rear subframe braces.
i think I’m going to be giving you guys a call here soon to chat and pick your brains for info and recommendations. Thank you.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2019 | 01:14 PM
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I have had them on my R52 strut brace and USS since about 2006 and love it, great for the R52 convertible or the track.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2019 | 05:08 PM
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If you are gonna spend money on a "good" kit...buy a "straight bar" to begin with. Bars with bends in them don't do much good as an actual support brace.

Something like this one -
https://www.racdyn-usa.com/PROD/196+99+50+011.html

I did some homework on this bar myself. It appears to be a quality part.

Or dig around and get the factory JCW strut bar. If the dealer can't get one, one of the major sellers has (had) them in their catalog. I recall seeing it...just don't recall where !

Mike
 
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Old Feb 15, 2019 | 06:21 PM
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From: soggy pnw
Right! Get a straight bar that has weak raised brackets. They have such **** photos that I can't even get a good look to give a fair assessment. In this day and age any crap smartphone takes infinitely better photo.

I used to all wanting the JCW bar but after seeing it and M7, the choice was simple when the new M7 came my way for a bargain price. Additionally I have seen many failed JCW bars. They sure look sleek though with the polished SS.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2019 | 09:42 PM
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Ah yes, spending good money on a bent bar..!???????
Makes all the scents in the world.

Mike
 
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 03:32 AM
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From: Denver/Frankfurt
Originally Posted by WayMotorWorks
Don't bother they make more issue than good as we have installed several and the difference is very little if any, and they front brace is a pain as the nutsert that goes in the body can easily pull out.
If you really want bracing we made a one piece strut bar
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-st...e-r52-r53.html

and the TSW brace works well for the underside as it actually crosses the open section of the body rather than following the subframe where stiffening isn't needed.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-xbrace.html

Bracing does make more of a difference on the cabrio than on the hardtop. That is why MINI added the front strut tower to frame rail braces, and the rear subframe braces.
Anyway to open your website up to the rest of the world? Any requests from a non-US based IP just results in a closed connection. I guess if you don't ship to Canada or APO/FPO addresses it probably doesn't matter, but it does make it easier in the forums for people to click on links and see what you're referring to.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 09:02 AM
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by OCR
If you are gonna spend money on a "good" kit...buy a "straight bar" to begin with. Bars with bends in them don't do much good as an actual support brace.

Something like this one -
https://www.racdyn-usa.com/PROD/196+99+50+011.html

I did some homework on this bar myself. It appears to be a quality part.

Or dig around and get the factory JCW strut bar. If the dealer can't get one, one of the major sellers has (had) them in their catalog. I recall seeing it...just don't recall where !

Mike
What's the point of that bar? Hard to tell from those crappy photos, but it looks useless if those are hinged at the tower.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 09:15 AM
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From: soggy pnw
Originally Posted by jk6672
What's the point of that bar? Hard to tell from those crappy photos, but it looks useless if those are hinged at the tower.
The JCW bar is also hinged on both ends.

Yeah! But the bar is straight, and has no slotted bolt holes like on the M7. He had pointed out fasteners that rely on clamping force are no good as the interface surfaces will slip WRT each other.

Here is the M7 no-good curved bar that does not have the raised rackets.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2020 | 04:32 PM
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From: SoCal
Wolf -

Are you going high stakes racing?
Or do you just want to lighten your wallet and weigh down your car ?

The more weight you add, the harder the engine has to work to go fast and get good mileage, and the harder the suspension (brakes, springs, anti-sway bars, shocks) have to work to control a heavier car.
This little car is plenty stiff enough without adding a bunch of mostly poorly engineered tubing, all painted so you can show it off..!

Or is this some sort of bragging thing ?
Save your money, take in some track time, learn to drive it well.

Mike
 
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