Hi all,


Been reading a lot here since I bought my new 2013 Mini Cooper coupe S.

I see many have installed aftermarket sway bars 19mm -22mm. Is there that much of a difference in handling on these new coupe S's? I'm really impressed at how this car handles the turns! I haven't pushed it to the limits ,but body roll is very minimal? The tires are the contiprocontact ssr's - they have really good grip. I wonder if its worth upgrading (changing) these items for a daily driver street car?...

Do the older cars lack in the suspension and tire area, that upgrading made/make a noticeable increase in performance?

 

As I understand it, the Coupes already come with a 22mm sway bar, and since the rear seats don't exist, with a strut across that area, the only structural upgrade you could do is the front tower brace. And yes, in the corners, you can tell the difference (especially if the corner is going up and around, or down and in). Shocks and struts I'm not too sure on...

 

If you opted for sport suspension, the rear bar measures 18.5mm while the front is 23.5mm

Non-sport suspension, rear I believe to be 17mm with the front being 22.5mm

 

I opted for a non sport suspension w/my Cooper S coupe but did get the JCW Front Strut bar and also did the JCW Fixed Spoiler and feel my car hugs the road a bit better than a normal S i test drove w/o the strut bar or spoiler. I feel very comfortable entering a cloverleaf interstate exit/entrance at 50mph and maintaining about 40-50mph in the turn w/my equipment.

I also upgraded to the ALTA JCW 3" Downpipe exhaust system and DEF feel a boost in power/torque and good ole sound.

From my exp w/a similar pocket rocket/handler (2006 Civic Si was my prev car), the continental runflats seem to help add to the corner stability. steel in your wheel wells makes them stick and maintain form better (or so logic would seem).

Your best bet for performance from what i've read on the forums and the web is:
1 intercooler
2 exhaust
3 intake
4 tune (not as easy w/our N18 engines)
5 turbo upgrade (spendy!!!)

hope that helps, i claim no admittance to being a car expert though. however i love my mini