i recently purchase and installed the M7 strut bar and strut tower reenforcers. Install went great and it really is a high quality product, but i noticed something today. the bar when installed alone really unbalances the whole suspension system. On my way to work, if there is no one on the road, i like to get on it a little bit around the progressive bend. well most of the time ill give it some go and at the most slide a little bit. now that i have the strut bar you can really see how much the rest of the car flexs not that i dont have the same support in the back. Today going around the curve my back end ended up fish tailing pretty harshly. Having some driving experience i was able to correct to problem and went on my way. again let me reitterate that i would never do this when other cars are on the road and i am very cautions when doing this. So i guess this is just a warning that if all you are going to get is the STB then maybe reconsider the purchase and just get the tower covers. or save up for the rear also.

 

Well, that's one reason to have to get the rest of the chassis stiffening set!

 

Maybe it's taken a bit of the inherent understeer away?

 

if you were to increase the rigidity of the rear you will only get more oversteer, which is what you experienced.

when you used to "slide a little bit" prior to installing the front strut brace were you sliding your tail end or your front end?

if you were sliding your front wheels youre used to the understeer of the car. if you want to keep the STB and want the safer feeling of the understeer you'll need a lower brace

 

OK, new to all of this, but how is it that understeer feels "safer"? I would think that oversteer would feel safer to me because it's more easily corrected.

When the car goes into a corner too hot, and the front end starts to slide out, there's not too much you can do, right?

But if the back end comes around, tiy can get things back in line with a little steering and backing off the gas.

This is comming from a guy with almost no FWD experience.

 

actually for FWD if you oversteer you need to gas it and prepare for the snap of the car coming back in line or possibly over correcting and fishtailing. <-- an extreme case... more track oriented. but still, gassing it is the proper correction for oversteer in FWD
letting off the throttle mid turn in FWD actually induces oversteer.

understeer is "safer" in terms of everyday commuter that doesnt have any tactical driving experience. if you go into a corner understeering you're just plain going too fast into the turn.

 

you guys are probably right, im just to used to the car being more balanced, i really need to get out and try some autocross

 

Most of us that grew up in RWD cars had more experience with understeer (nose heavy cars plowing thru corners), so we're more comfortable with it and the responses required to correct it. Oversteer usually comes on a little quicker, and the feeling that the rear end has decided to lead the parade does cause an increase in pucker factor. Find a track and go practice. It's worth it.

 

When you experience understeer in a corner, if you let off the throttle the car it will be easier to regain control of it. However, if you experience oversteer in a corner, it's much more difficult to make this correction safely.

Generally speaking, FWD cars were designed because they are safer.

 

Minis do not corner at high speeds well, especially long swooping highway banks or turns... It's time to get some swaybars my friend.

 

Kept up with the Corvette the other day ...until the road straightened out

 

+1

 

i find that it is easier to induce oversteer in a RWD car than a FWD car but thats probably just because this is my first FWD car. im planning to add a front strut brace and stiffer sway bar to reduce understeer and maby get a little oversteer which is easier for me to catch.

 

Hello Jay, Welcome to the new world of driving FWD's with MINI being one of the best. I encourage you to find a Car Control Clinic ASAP and then find a local AutoX to have a safe and helpful group of friends to help you fully understand the Joy of driving your MINI.

 

For the FWD cars that we have, understeer is generally seen as safer because the natural reaction for the un-trained driver is actually the correct one. As you go into the corner too fast and the front end pushes out, a lift of the throttle (or even braking) will push more weight towards the front, giving the front wheels more traction to turn the car correctly into the turn.

 

He would have freaked about how the old VW's used to be. I had a Rabbit and a Scirocco, if the rear wheel didn't come off the ground you weren't going fast enough .