Hi folks...just got a 2005 MCSc.

I'd like to stiffen the chassis (and if those same steps improve handling, so much the better)...was wondering which parts offer the most bang for the buck.

From reading the forum, it sounds like:

1) M7 USS
2) STB
3) ??

Again, I'm talking stiffening...removing body shake...as the primary objective.

Are there any other parts to add to the list?

If I wanted best bang for handling buck, should number 3 be a rear sway bar?

Thanks...

 

For the street - H-sport 19 mm rear anti-sway bar.

 

I have H-Sport Springs, H-Sport competition bar and M7 USS. My car is stiffer than Peewee Herman in a Florida adult theater.

 

The coupes are pretty stiff right out of the box.

 

Oops maybe I have my abbreviations wrong...I thought MCSc meant Mini Cooper S Convertible?

From what XAlpha said about coupes, I'm not sure I have that right.

So....I want to stiffen the body structure of the convertible, not necc stiffen the ride quality...though like I said, handling improvemerts are welcome too as a by-product of stiifening the chassis.

Thanks

 

Larry, a bigger anti-sway bar actually stiffens the chassis? I thought the only effect of a bigger ant-sway bar would be flatter cornering.

Thanks...

 

By "stiffer", do you mean stiff suspension? Or do you mean stiff chassis?

I'm just wondering how springs and a sway bar can stiffen the chassis?

Thanks...

 

Viagara....... I couldn't resist

seriously..... I have front and rear sway bars......the M7 USS, the M7 strut brace and a Pilo rear brace......all make for a very stiff car..... the USS works very well.....IMO.....most people start with a strut brace

 

wsalopek: Are you looking to improve ride quality? If yes I recommend the Koni FSD struts. I just installed them on my '05 cabrio. See this thread. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=68417

 

You are correct. MCSc is the convertible.

 

I have M7's USS and can't stop praising it's performance. Simply awesome for my CABRIO. Cool Cab has both the RSB and the USS and loves them both in concert. The USS stiffens the chasis big time and the RSB adds to that by flattening out the body roll big time. Both work to make the car handle very neutrally in the twisties.

 

I agree with Gr8Force, get the M7 USS first (or second) cause the other handling, not stiffening add on, is a Rear Sway Bar ( I used the H Sport). Get those two items. I added a Dinan Upper Strut BAr (bought used from a NAM member) later, saw little improvement with this mod, but saw amazing differences with the first two. Michael

 

M7 strut bar alone - better tracking around corners.
M7 USS - improvement on above and a bit less cowl shake.
Koni FSD - cowl shake = where are you??

 

Funny you should ask...I noticed you are in Leesburg, VA.

I live in Placitas, NM...just north of Albuquerque...outstanding convertible weather...we've been here since early 1992.

But my previous home was in Lucketts, VA...my wife owned a home before that in Leesburg, and I rented in Sterling, Reston, and Fairfax.

We'll be moving back east in about two years...not sure where yet, but probably more towards Pittsburgh as that's where most of my family is.

 

Is the "Pilo Rear Stress Brace" compatible with the convertible?

 

You have it right. Mini's come in either coupe or convertible form.

 

Yeah...folks seemed to be giving advice that applied to Coupes, so I wasn't sure I had it right...that's why I asked.