I'm expecting delivery of my 2006 MCS JCW (Checkmate) next week. The car will be tracked, but not often.

Is $500 (Cdn, or $400 U.S.) a good use of my money to buy a JCW strut brace? In other words, will I feel a difference with it?

My 2003 MCS does not have a strut brace, so in what ways will the driving experience be different?

While we're at it, do you have experience with the iPod adapter and the HK sound system? Is the interface adapter worth getting? I'm currently happy with the auxiliary input, but of course, the iPod adjustments are all on the iPod, not on the MFSW.

=R=

 

Seems like a lot of money to me. Check out:

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=44493

A LOT less money.

Earl

 

I have seen the JCW one in person and it's beautiful. No experience driving MINIs with strut braces on my part though.

 

well you can find the jcw bar, at outmotoring.com for 319 usd

 

I found it caused alot of push for street tires

 

Classic was selling them for $250? Does it do anything? Doubtful for normal drive. I think it bling. It is pretty though!

 

You probably won't feel a difference on the street by adding a front strut brace. Spend the money on a rear sway bar instead - it will make a noticeable difference.

ken

 

$389 CDN at Coopersport Canada

 

I agree with kneatminimania,according to Randy Webb the front of the car is tight enough I took his advice and replaced my rear sway bar with a 22m from Rspeed.Q

 

It depends on the chasis as to wether a strut brace will make a difference or not. Stiffening up the suspension from the top is not a bad thing becasue it controls the flex of the strut towers themselves, which lets the shock and spring do the work. Now is the mini chasis stiff enough to make use of one, I don't know. If you chasis does flex enough (my honda did) then it will make a difference. I came back from my first run after installing Vogtland lowering springs (honda) and the rear window on the hatchback was shattered. The only thing that makes sense is body flex. It would be a one in a million chance that a cone would of popped of and tagged the window.

 

the more you read on NAM, the more you will hear people tell you that one of the best "bang for your buck" mods is to put in a stiffer rear sway bar...

You will feel a more significant improvement in handling for your money that you will with a strut brace. It should also fall within your budget...

That's not to say that a strut brace isn't a pretty piece of kit....and if it were for that reason, I fully understand (I'm about to order an M7 for that reason... )

 

i have yet to feel the need for a stb on this car with my setup running
street.

 

The only thing my STB has done is make bumps in the road more pronounced due to less front end flex. I can't say it does anything for handling.

If you want better handling get a bigger rear sway bar