If pressed, they will ship to the US for 29GBP (about $44) instead of the 39GBP they first quoted me. It's still a rip-off...

 

Every time I see the X-Brace ad in MC2 Magazine I drool... Good feedback, everyone. I think I'll be buying one of these in the near future.

 

Impressions on the X-brace?

It's very pretty sitting on my living room floor, and the cat loves to rest her head on the ends!

I'm having to wait to get my exhaust worked on before installing it... and the suspense is killing me!

 

I got the GTT mid-chassis brace installed today - it's impressive. Here's the review: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hp?product=360

I think that, with a forward-trapezoid lower frame brace it is at least as effective as the x-brace, and without the loss of ground clearance and added noise and vibration. I Like it!

 

Well, I finally got the X-brace installed on Friday, and have about 300 miles on it so far, mostly highway miles from LA to San Diego.

No added NVH that the wife or I can sense, but then again, it's on a convertible...

What we did notice was the steering wheel has much less movement in it... remarkably so.. even on our 8k mile car.

Everything just feels more solid. You'd think there was a roof on it... it's that nice.

And like others have also mentioned, greatly reduced vibrations in the rear view mirror as well... I can actually make out the headlights clearly at night!

I took it for a short trip down the local twisty roads... the car felt much more stable.

 

Bought my X Brace from Way yesterday @ AMVIV. It went on this morning.
Everything feels great.No probs to report.
I can 2nd everything MiniJoe just posted.Next are poly bushings for control arms.

 

I was informed by TSW today that those 1st Gen MINI's running the Miltek catback have had issues with the 1st Gen XBrace being hit by the exhaust under load. The Good News is that you can replace it with the R56S/2nd Gen XBrace which sits a little lower for the OEM down pipe and also works well on the 1st Gen MINI' with Miltek Catback system.

Install is the same. If you have an R53/52/50 with a aftermarket catback that sits lower then the OEM near the cat you may need the R56 XBrace.

 

I wonder if this is part of the issue I've been having with my aftermarket header/cat combo?

The exhaust is still stock, but the front half isn't factory anymore.

I'll have to climb under and take a look for spots where there might be clearance issues...

 

The downside might be some ground clearance issues....no?

 

I just installed this Xbrace on my new to me MCS, and it is awesome! One thing though, does anybody have experience with the end corner bottom side of the cat converter hitting the brace on the V/x part? under hard acceleration or shifting i hear a rattling noise, i suppose since the exhaust is 'floating', it is hitting that part.

 

Yes, the cat hitting can be an issue, especially if you have worn or broken motor or exhaust mounts. It also depends on the manifold, but I've heard it even with the stock manifold.

If you're not worried about ground clearance, the R56 brace is supposed to fit but has more clearance under the exhaust because of the difference in the turbo downpipe.

 

Can you please elaborate on what differences that you found making it awesome?

 

I'll check with Way what is the best way to address the fitment issue. I do have stock manifold (JCW).

I only drive street, so elaboration maybe limited. I could describe it as more nimble handling. I have only driven it less than 30miles but so far I am liking it.

 

Just heard from Way, add washer/spacer on the bolt towards the back end (not on the mount). I will try that today.

Edit: installed a quarter inch spacer on both rear bolts and it cured the rattling!! motor on!!

 

Per Post #144: THE ITCH suggested using longer M12 x 1.5 grade 10.9 bolts, four washer/spacers to equal the depth of the cavity and a brace with four 12mm holes drilled in it of the appropriate length.


Is this the solution to mount the TSW X-brace if you have a larger diameter exhaust? My mechanic told me I cant use the brace since its hitting the exhaust but says I need to get longer bolts and washers. So I'm just confirming if what THE ITCH said is the solution?

 

Yes you can put spacers on and use the stock bolts. If you go over 1/4 inch I would get longer bolts. But this is common to clear larger exhaust or sagging exh mounts.
On the ALL4 R60 we actually use a bolt about an inch longer for the front bolts due to the subframe shape.