I was wondering what are the differences for coupling the H-Sport Springs with either the Competition (25mm) or Sport (19mm) Rear Sway Bars for the MINI Cooper S with the factory installed JCW package?

If my car is primarily a street "spirited" car, would it be best to go with the Sport Rear Sway Bar on the stiffest setting? I read on these forums that it is best to go with a 22mm bar for the MCS instead of a 19mm bar.

What about the Competition Rear Sway Bar?

What I basically want to achieve is an almost neutral handling car (if not possible, then very slight oversteer > understeer).

Thanks in advance!

 

the 25mm competition sway bar has a effective stiffness as a 22mm sway bar because it is a tubular bar.

I have the COmp bar in middle setting and like it. It still understeers a little.

 

Is your ride harsh? The Competition bar is coupled with the H-Sport springs right?

 

A sway bar only works in the corners. It will not make your rise harsher.

Unless you are taking your car to the track, I would think the comp bar is overkill.

 

I just have the sway bar for now. Springs are going in next month. I didn't notice any harsher ride.

 

mine's a 03 with H-Sports and Alta 22mm swaybar set at stiff. :smile:

 

Not really true. A stiffer sway bar in effect makes the car a bit stiffer also as both rear springs are now working together a bit more when only one tire goes over a bump.

Go with the Comp bar as it will give you better future options.

 

Sway bars work in the corners - they are not designed to do anything in a straight line. Go over a bump and see what you feel, then disconnect your bar and go over the same bump. I don't think you'll find diff.

As for set up, the best way to set up car is with proper rated springs and dampers. Sway bars are the final fine tuning. Most of us, for the street, start with sway bars ars they are cheaper and easier to install.

OK, going back to the original question/post - it was for "spirited" street driving. The still think that the comp bar is overkill for this application.

 

Would very much have to disagree with you here.

 

OK, we can agree to disagree! No hard feelings.

 

i agree that the comp bar would be overkill for street.


i agree that the swaybar will make a difference in ride when
one side of the car goes over a hump/dip/bump...but if both
sides of the car enter the hump/dip/bump at the same time,
it will make no difference in ride.

for street, i think we can say that swaybars are more for
cornering enhancements over straightline stability. straightline
stability is achieved by the use of better glasses and no drinking.

 

agreed.