First, excuse my ignorance - this will be a really dumb question.

So - I don't know what is asway bar, but I know I need it...

I mean not really - I can imagine what it should do (and it is beyond my understanding why that piece of metal is not fitted in the factory (or it is - but it is "substandard" according to the posts). But anyhow. It seems to be a bar with some holes in it (three to be more precise) that gives a certain rigidity to the rear end of the car (sounds simplistic - but that is what a non-mechanic mind like mine envisions it). So I bet it is a torsion- + elongation-based rigidity.

And now the questions - even dumber:

- if it is just a bar with some holes (both the Helix and the Alta are more or less similar, with the three-hole settings), and yes - I know it is not stainless steel from Hole depot - why does it cost so much? (I mean 200$ on average);
- even worse - now I have to choose between the Helix and the Alta ones. Alta is red and costs 194$ shipped, and Helix is Black and costs 231$ shipped. How should I choose between them? By color?
- it is clear that the torsion properties of the bars are dictated solely by the diameter (and 22 mm is more torsionally-rigid than the 19mm, and taht makes the car too stiff - so 19 mm is the way to go. But would that by any means impact on the warranty of the suspension in special or of the car in general?

Thank you for enlightening me,

MMM

(yes - I do have an R56).

 

Unfortunately, we don't currently carry our swaybar: the manufacturer is out of business (that probably doesn't speak well to our patronage). The Alta is an excellent bar, as are both of the H-Sport bars. The trick is to find a bar that gives you a good variety of handling characteristics and set it to your driving style.

 

Helix13mini: Thanks for the compliment! And excellent point about the importance of adjustment!

MMM: I think you and I have already spoken, but if not PLEASE let me know if I can help further. Thanks again!

 

Excellent and honest support from both Helix and Alta (I am not their customer - yet - so I can say it unbiased). Both were extremely informative with the info - and even recommended others' companies products. (You know - so far teh companies from NAM were nothing but outstanding to deal with - "bigger" and "smaller" names. That says something about the MINI culture....

MMM

 

Have you considered the Whiteline bar? I believe Dan over at fastmini.net can get them.

 

So which is the best way to go? price vs. quality/performance.
Is Alta the way to go?

 

http://www.fastmini.net/hr19reswbar.html

 

http://tinyurl.com/26apov

is this worth it?

 

tomm9050: Hey only because I am biased, we feel the ALTA is an excellent choice not only for performance plus the value. We are enthusiasts and love these cars. We put as much of that spirit into all of the parts we make. Like adding a third adjustment hole, centering washers, etc. all to improve the part for YOU. Now comparing to the H&R, they also make a great part, and we have been an H&R dealer for as long as we have been in business (1997). They make quality parts and have impeccable service. If you need a quote on those, we stock them too. WE hope to earn your business in either way. Thanks again for considering both ALTA and H&R.

 

I would be rather wary of buying parts from eBay. I know they may be less expensive, BUT there are some things to consider.

1) Support - are they on this board, and available to answer questions? Most likely not. Your vendors on this board are though. Do no underestimate how valuable this actually is.

2) Do they know the ins and outs of the car so they can truly answer your questions? The vendors here do. That's why they are part of this community.

3) Have you found any reviews of the eBay products here? Sure there may be some, but I'll bet you a dollar that you'll find more reviews (and positive ones at that) for products your vendors here know, and have tried.

4) You get what you pay for.

5) If you have a problem with a part you pick up from a vendor here, and it's a part that vendor makes then you can help them improve their product. Highly doubtful you'll have that impact on a vendor that's not here. As a whole you will be helping the community at large.

Now, with that being said, I'm sure many people have bought many parts via eBay, and they have worked just fine. More power to them. Me? I work hard for my money, and as part of that I expect more than just a metal bar to show up in the mail. I want the intangibles that come with using a known, established vendor who makes a good part.

 

cboggess: THANK YOU!

 

What is the quote for both of the bars repectively?

shipping etc

Thanks!

 

Thanks for asking tomm9050. I sent you a PM! Thanks!

 

I just had a look under my '07 MC and the stock end links on the rear are about the diameter of a pencil, you can actually flex them with your hand.

Alta do you think it would be worthwhile (a noticeable difference) just replacing the end links with yours or is it a case of all (sway bar as well) or nothing for any real change ?

 

mini_matt: YES! makes a significant difference! Instead of bending before transferring the force, the ALTa ones simply transfer it to the bar, increasing response and cornering ability!

Let me know if I can help further. Thanks again!

 

Thanks. Looks like I'll be ordering a pair from Bishop Mini (one of your Canadian distr.) shortly.

 

PERFECT! Enjoy it! Let me know how things work out.

See ya!

 

Bishop your local distributor turn out to be a bunch of flakes. I contacted my dealer because they are 1/2 way between me and Bishop and asked them to order a 2" Alta antennae for me (I figured I try one of your less expensive products first to judge quality) and I'd just pick it up there. So my dealer calls Bishop and orders the antennae, he's told it's in stock and it will be sent out in the afternoon (they're a 1/2hr away). Next morning still no antennae, dealer calls back and is told it will come in the afternoon or morning latest. Next day still no antennae so dealer calls again and is told it will be there in the afternoon. So now it's the afternoon of the 3rd day and 4 promised deliver times later and still nothing so out of sympathy for my dealer I told him to forget it. If that's the way Bishop deals with a potentially large client like a Mini dealer (one of only 2 in the B.C. lower mainland) I hate to see how they treat joe public.

 

mini_matt: That totally stinks! How crappy! I have my sales manager John, going to call them in the AM to discuss and how this could have been handled better. In the meantime, how can I help you? Call me or PM me with your contact information and I will get you an antenna ASAP! I hate it when something simple gets goobered up!

Thanks again for choosing ALTA!

Adam

 

Thanks for your interest in making me a happy Alta customer and don't worry it doesn't taint my opinion of your products, they look like quality parts. Now Bishop on the other hand..........

I stopped by my dealer on my way to work yesterday at around 4:15pm to see if by chance it had showed up and it still hadn't but I was told that he called them one more time a couple of hours before I got there and was told it had been sent. My dealer is/was still skeptical especially since he closes at 5pm and by this time it was already 4:30pm but said he'd send me an email today around 3pm to let me know if it had showed up. If not he's going to order it from a company I think he called Coopersports (his usual source for Alta parts) which is back east and check the shipped price and availability on a pair of your rear sway bar links. I'd order from you directly but out of principal I hate giving the govt (duty), brokers (brokerage fees), etc, money for doin F-all for something I've already paid for but I really want the parts so we'll see what happens.

 

MattL No offense! I want you to save as much money as you can, so you can buy MORE parts for your car! No reason to waste it on tax and fees! I can totally understand. Thanks again for choosing ALTA. Sorry for the crappy delivery!

Let me know how I can help further!

 

I ordered the rear end links and 2" shorty antenna from Alta today so with any luck they should be here Friday, Monday latest at which time I'll install them and report back.

Thanks Adam.

 

Thanks Matt! It was nice speaking with you today!

Chat soon!