Thank you all for your tips. I ordered the VIP one and it came in yesterday. I'm going to try installing it this weekend!

 

I just installed the VIP strut bar and the NM torque arm inserts in my 12 all4s. Strut bar took 7 minutes a 13mm & 15mm wrench. If you can install an air filter you can do this install. The inserts took about 30 minutes including getting the car in the air. The direction say you need an 18mm & 19mm sockets\wrench , mine took the 18mm but the other was a 16mm. Getting the arm out was easy, getting back into place with the inserts was easy. Getting both bolt holes to line up took a bit of persuasion with a pry bar. I can feel the difference both additions made. Now for the rear sway bar.

 

I found a pic on FB of the NM Strut bar prototype and commented on when it would be ready. Couple other folks piped in to ask the same. Jerry responded it'd be ready soon but I went back to check that post after a few weeks and the entire post, picture and all had disappeared. It's a shame because the strut bar looked incredible.

 

VIP bar installed!! so nice looking, looks stock. feels good!

 

Does anyone know if the JCW strut bar for R56s will fit R60s?

 

Those are two different cars. So no they will not work.

 

That's what I figured.

 

I emailed NM yesterday regarding the release of a front strut bar and they said they had finished testing and were searching for manufacturing and hope to have it available before this summer. We'll see!

 

Good to know I'll be interested to see how it turned out. They had an awesome design for the prototype. VERY different looking. Sadly due to production costs it isn't going to be produced. I'm sure whatever they come up with will be good regardless.

 

Anyone ever get the Chromiumtech unit (http://www.chromiumtech.co.uk/produc...pID=321&cID=16)?

Was curious how it compared to the VIP unit.

Not overly jazzed that the VIP unit does not encompass the entire top of the strut tower like the Chromiumtech. However, getting it from the UK kinda sucks.

 

http://www.chromiumtech.co.uk/img/pr...4/sb-r60-1.jpg

Just installed....love it!

 

Just received a note back from them. Pretty pricy unit $366. Gotta give that some thought.

 

Where did you buy from?

 

threads like these make me want to remove and reinstall this piece - I frankly didn't notice anything - maybe a tiiiny bit of increased stiffness - running the OEM JCW Bar:

http://r56hs.com/2013/11/11/jcw-stru...brace-install/

 

This one from M7 looks leGIT... And it better for $330!

http://www.m7tuning.com/m7-r60-r61-s...brace-kit.html

 

I just ordered the chromiumtech strut bar. Their website says it's currently out of stock but I got mine from their amazon account and they currently have 4 left. The final cost including shipping (to South Jersey) was $359 USD. It's a few dollars cheaper than previously posted but not much. It should be here around the 21st I'll post pictures after install.

 

Did you install the Chromiumtech strut bar and how is the fitting. Any pictures installed on your CM.

 

I installed it and LOVE it. At first I was a little sceptical that such an easy upgrade would make a difference but the handling is just what people rave about. The instal was extremely simple. There was only 2 issues with the fitting. The first was on my driver side tower there was a small "stud" like thing sticking out the top which was bent a little far to go into the holes on the brace. I just convinced it with a hammer and it fit perfectly. The second issue is there are 2 nuts (one on each side) under the hood gasket that have a plastic covering/flare to them. This edge makes it so the tower brace won't sit square on the top so I just used a dremel tool and squared off the one edge and it fit perfectly. In the one picture I moved the gasket and you can see the top of the nut just above the tower cap.

 

Interesting...I have the same bar but didn't have any figment issues. The plates are also large enough to help with potential "mushrooming" if that is still an issue in today's Mini.
Beyond the improved stability, it virtually eliminates all interior plastic squeaks.
I probably would have gone with the M7 had it been available just to support a local sponsor and I believe made in USA product.

 

Do you have to take off the strut bar when you go to the dealer to avoid warranty issues?
Also, am i asking for suspension issues if i install a strut bar? I have to drive about 2 miles of washboard dirt every day. I have standard suspension with the 18in wheels, ALL4 S

 

No, and no. All it does is add a little torsional rigidity. The washboard road will cause you more issues (mainly alignment) than a strut bar. You will have nothing to worry about.

 

Awesome. Just what i wanted to hear. Cant wait to add it now!

 

Just got done installing VIP strut bar and rear sway bar. Very nice! Much more controlled ride. Steering feels a lot more precise and direct. Had everything installed by Tony Colca over at Today's European Cars off of Richmond in Houston, tx. Did a great job and was reasonable....

 

Just curious what is reasonable? I was going to ask around some places but I don't really know what to expect.

 

Took my mechanic 2-1/2 hours. $250 for just the rear sway bar. I installed the strut bar myself, took 15 minutes. I used the middle setting on the VIP sway bar and it is AWESOME. stays noticeably flatter in the corners. Almost feels like my old hardtop cooper s!!