Countryman R60 Rear Sway Bar is now in stock. (11/13/12)

http://www.nm-eng.com/home.aspx

 

I haven't had the NM bar in hand to compare it, but NM does make quality parts. One of the reasons the NM bar would be more is because of their aluminum brackets. They require expensive machining time, they also are harder to install as we have found from the R56 bars. Our WMW sway bar uses the same bent steal bracket with zerk like the Hsport bars have. We definitely didn't cut any corners as we have worked and tested different sizes and angles over the last few months trying to make a bar that fit perfect the first time and worked perfect. We originally made 19mm which was much easier and cheaper, but after driving the car it wasn't enough to justify installing it. The customers that tested it did say the car actually rode better, but when we went to the 22mm it was a much larger improvement and felt even more neutral.
As for instructions, install is the same as an R53 or R56 so it is simple. We would offer instructions but it takes so much time to make them when there is already so much available that will work fine.

Heck we'll sell you either bar, as we sell both brands.

 

Glad to see these bars on the market now. Interesting to see that they both only come with two settings, which should simplify setup.

Really looking forward to hearing some feedback about how they handle.

Way, out of curiosity, are the ends forged or welded on the bars (yours and NM)?

First some coilover options and now sway bars; it's been a good week for the Countryman suspension!

 

Awesome!!

 

What is different from an R53? I installed my rear sway bar without removing the shocks? Looks like removing the shocks from both sides is part of the install? Just curious.

 

you dont have to remove both shocks . one yes but not 2. I played around by drilling end link mounts about an inch forward on the stock bar to experiment a bit. (that has the effect of tightening up the bar.
Wow ... much improved .

 

It is easier to remove both shocks at the R60 bar is bent more than the R53 bars.
Our ends are welded on just the like the TSW sway bar that we've been selling for years so we knew it would work well.
The NM bar I'm not sure but the pic I think they are welded too.

 

hello Way,

i have the sport suspension on my cms all4, it has an oem 16mm rear sway bar

what will your 22mm sway bar do for me?

thanks

scott

 

Scott, your car has stock 17mm bar and with sport suspension it'll have an 18mm bar. I just ordered the NM-eng bar because of the forged ends.... Seems as that will hold up in the long run, but it is more expensive. The car will basically get the front end to turn in nicer and not understeer while getting the rear end to rotate more easily. Of course, this is only when you're really pushing the car and are close to the limit of the tires.

Kyle

 

it already steps the rear out very nicely under full throttle (and maybe just a little bit of left foot baking) with the 225/45-18 pirelli p7 summer tires, so the bigger bar would make it more so?

i just changed over to winter tires and with them on, it does not even take full throttle to get the rear drifting out and 4-wheel drifts are easy to induce, in fact the car is more fun to drive with the winter tires!

scott

 

The more slip the better. In essence, yes the sway bar will kick the back out more. With my suspension setup on my car I have to really try hard to kick the back out... This will without a doubt help with that.

 

so far my suspension is all stock, sport suspension + 18" oem wheels with summer tires and stock alignment

the only change i have made is tire pressure, set to 42 front / 37 rear using a racing buddies tire pyrometer

the higher pressure has resulted in quieter running tires, better ride, quicker turnin, less tram-lining, even tread wear front to back, even tread wear across each tire and possibly a little better fuel mileage

what are you running for suspension?

scott

 

btw, any news from tyrolsport re the FMIC?

scott

 

You will see reduced body roll, and more neutral handling. Works similarly to the standard R56, but we saw more reduction in body roll than you see with the R56.

 

For anyone who's curious (like I was), Jerry confirmed that the NM bar has forged ends for whatever that's worth.

 

For Way or others: How much increased "danger" factor is there with a stiffer bar? I mean, I appreciate the reduced body roll, but does this dramatically increase the odds that the car will spin out in a turn? Or is it a more subtle difference?

I would hate for it to make the car unpredictable and prone to spinning.

 

Nevermind, the WMW bar and the NM bar are on the site. I saw one and got confused.

 

I have no fear of it being dangerous, that comes down to the driver and what they are doing. Kinda like people kill people not guns.

One of the people we had testing the bar was actually a husband/wife with their 3yr old riding in the back seat. They really liked it and never had an issue with daily driving it being too loose. They actually told me they noticed improved ride over railroad tracks and rough roads as one of them commonly rides in the back with their child.

Also remember the R60 is a heavier car than an R56, that is one of the reasons we went with the 22mm. We didn't just pick 22mm and make it. Like I said we made a 19mm first and did testing, then 22mm and tested it comparing the two. I will tell you we liked the 19mm but right off the bat we knew it wasn't stiff enough.

 

Glad you finally got this product to market Way.

 

Scott, I have just a 40mm lowering kit I got from Way. Also the car is going into Tyrolsport on the 21st for a test fitment of the FMIC

Kyle

 

What's everyone getting quoted on a labor cost to install a rear sway bar? Mini dealer told me today it would be $328. I wasn't expecting that high of a cost.

 

more to the point, what is the procedure to remove the stock bar and install the new bar?

do the struts have to be removed? or the links?

at my dealer, $328 would be about 3 hours labor

scott

 

I think it's doable in your garage with jack stands. You gotta take the rear suspension off, I think it's two 13mm bolts and a 17mm bolt.

 

2.9 hours is the quoted labor. An independent shop just quoted me $261 (cheaper hourly labor rate)

Unfortunately I don't have the ability or desire to do it myself.

 

any "complications" with the all4?

scott