Have you tried Saner Performance Fabrication? ( http://http://www.sanerperffab.com/products.htm ) They can supposedly make custom-size sway bars for ~$175 for most cars.

 

The MINI One uses a 16 mm front bar. A good option for a non custom bar.

Part # 31 35 6 757 071 w/ bushing # 31 35 6 757 069

 

Are the bushings identical for the MC and MCS? In other words, my car is new- is there any reason to buy it with bushings, other than wear?

BTW, my parts counter quoted #31356 757072 for an '05 MC hatch. I was told the ...071 number didn't exist.

Brock

 

That's because it is a euro part. Talk to Classic Mini. And yes you would need the smaller bushings.

 

Thanks for the reply and the recommendation. You're right, I should have specified the P/N was for a European model.

I'm still not getting anywhere, though. When Classic finally answered the phone, they couldn't give a price and stated the parts were not available in the US.

What am I doing wrong?

Brock

 

I don't know, I haven't tried to order the sway bar. I did get the euro parcel tray from my dealer, and that wasn't supposed to be available in the US. (a long time ago, in MINI terms) You could always post something on MINI2 and see if one the the folks over there would be willing to ship it for you. It has been done for other hard to find parts.

 

I mentioned the 16mm bar in the very first post of this thread but for those of you who want it, Mini Mania has them and the bushings in stock. My local dealer, who I have a very good relationship with since I'm codriving my car with one of their mechanics, could not get the 16mm bar.

 

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Here's an update, in case anyone else is in the same boat.

Talked to Brian at Mini Mania this morning and was quoted $199.95 for a 16mm front bar plus $25 each for the bushings. P/N's NMS2003 and NMS2003B, respectively. They are currently out of stock, with an estimated two week lead time. Interestingly, I was told these were aftermarket parts, and they did not have / could not get the OEM's.

We've moved out of "unobtainium" status, but that's a bit rich for me. Although they couldn't get it, Classic quoted a much more reasonable $96.93 (bar only).

Brock

 

I guess I got the last bar they had in stock when I ordered mine but I didn't know it was not the OEM bar. Seems like if someone was doing a custom run of smaller bars they would have chosen something other than 16mm which I'm worried is a little to small but I will probably combine mine with some derlin bushings to make it more effective. I'd like to have seen them offer a solid 19mm or maybe a hollow 24mm or 22.5 that could use OEM bushings but with the effective rate of a 19mm bar and maybe make it adjustable.

What was Classic quoting you a price on if they couldn't get the OEM 16mm bar? Damn nice price for unobtainium though.

 

I agree entirely, although we're beggars here. I'm *guessing* these sways are actually the OEM's purchased direct from the supplier. Brian mentioned it was UK supplier, although he didn't know who.

I misspoke about Classic quoting a price- got my notes mixed up. That price is for P/N 31356 757072. It's what my local dealer looked up for an '05 MC hatch. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the diameter is. Unless someone here knows offhand, I'll look for a local owner to measure it.

Last, I did call MM back a few minutes later (this morning) and asked about volume pricing. I'm still waiting to hear back, but there may be the potential for a group buy.

Brock

 

I guess I should have gone back and reread my first post, that's the part number for the OEM 22.5mm front MC bar. You just typed it out differently.

 

Darn it. I need to either quit scattering my notes across an assortment of post-its, or re-read everything before I post.

Looks like a cheap 22.5mm or an expensive 16mm are the only options. No word back from Mini Mania yet.

Brock

 

The 16mm bar I ordered early last week got here today. It is, in fact, the factory bar, with the OEM part # on the bar. When I called MM back, because I never got a tracking #, they said they got them from someone else in the U.S. so I guess the two middle men account for the high price.

 

I wonder what'd happen if you drilled a hole, above and below the stock mounting points in the sway bar.

 

There is no real room for that with the stock bars and in the case of the 16mm bar the effective spring rate of the bar is so little as to not be worth the trouble even if it was. I have now heard of a company in Florida run by a former ADDCO employee that has made a few 19mm bars for the front of the MINI.