First off, I already tried searching topic and no luck.
I'm a fan of nm products, and their 22mm rear sway bar for the R56 now comes with zerk grease fittings on their custom CNC machined brackets. I also like their graphite impregnated urethane bushings.

Link to bar:
http://www.nm-eng.com/290/0/0/1462/n...products%5D/0/

Has anyone here installed yet? Thoughts?
Well debated topic, but should I stay with stock end links or replace with something like WMW's sealed ball adjustable ones?

http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-adj...-endlinks.html

Thanks in advance!!!

 

I have read that the factory end links are fine, especially on the rear. On very low cars, the factory front endlinks can interfere, but I have heard that the factory ones are ok on the rear. If you are corner balancing your car, or really serious about setup, then adjustable ones will allow you to avoid preload on your sway bar.

That being said, I picked up a used set of aftermarket ones on the marketplace, and have not had any issues. If I was going to buy a set new, I like the ones from WMW.

Mike

 

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

They have been out for a while. I purchased mine a few months ago. Installed it two weeks ago and I'm very happy with it so far.

 

Sweeeet, that looks awesome!! I see you have it set in the middle. Any oversteer?

 

No, what I installed was, 22mm sway bar, rear NM end links, front Way end links and NM RSa springs. The car handles very well. I'm taking turns about 10 MPH more then before and the car is very stable and wants more.

 

Just ordered my nm bar through my authorized nm MINI dealer for $209 (MSRP is $299). Great deal IMO.

 

Factory endlinks are fine, unless you're lowering the car and need some adjustment. When you re-install the nut to attach the endlinks to the RSB, use some threadlocker. Otherwise you'll end up taking your wheels off in a month or so to tighten them up to get rid of the god awful rattle that develops when they loosen up. (I speak from experience... )The nuts have a little "castle" on the top that I'm guessing provides the locking function when they are installed new, but it doesn't seem to work after the nuts have been removed and re=installed.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Ok, so I ordered it. Got it for $209!!! Should be in Monday. Got quote for $135 labor to install at a MINI shop.

 

Where are you guys getting them for $209?

 

Don't know about anyone else, but getting mine from MINI of Tempe in AZ. Keep in mind that I bought my car there too, so he may be giving me a special deal. Sounds too good to be true. I'll know when I go to pick it up on Mon or Tue.

 

Seems a bit overkill, dont you think? Esp. for the price.

 

Huh? MSRP is $299. Cheaper bars are $199.

 

What's overkill?

 

Right, so you're paying $100 for some fancy brackets; when most aftermarket brackets, even without zerk fittings, get the job done just as well.

 

I'm not, that's why it's such a good deal at $209. Most other bars are still like $189-$199. Btw, the other brackets don't get the job done just as well when they start squeaking. If you don't like this setup, what would you recommend for a better value with similar performance? There's still time as I have not paid for this bar yet.

 

Bar is on and I love the feel!!
FYI, I had the factory bar measured and it is 18mm. That's with the sport suspension.

 

Don't know where you got that other brackets don't get the job done?? Been using Hsport Bars with flat brackets for years with no issues.

The problems that come up with sway bars is usually the bushings. The NM Bar, TSW, and Hsport bars come with bushings that actually work and hold the grease in them. Other bars have bushing where the grease just comes out and that causes the noises. The Brackets on the NM bar also nice idea, but make it much harder to install as you can't just put a wrench on the bolts.
Also the Hsport Comp bar weights only 5.5lbs beating everything else in weight savings.

 

My comment was "knee jerk" to a very shall we say "smarty pants " reply earlier from another poster. I was talking in generalities, suggesting that a bar with zerks has a benefit to the owner. I agree about the bushings and just learned about them during the install. The nm bushings had slightly recessed lines or channels to hold the grease. Also learned that not all bars with zerks have bushings with holes to accept the grease like the nm. I guess some have solid bushings which render the zerks worthless.

 

You are correct. Your post may have been a smarty pants reply, but the issue is many readers of the forum don't realize that and then take it as fact. Or as I like to call it "Internet Fact" so I wanted to post a clear statement for future readers.

 

I didn't say my post was the smarty pants reply