Just wondering. Seems like a lot of talk about front strut bars and rear sway bars.

http://www.m7tuning.com/53-5m7150-1057.html

This seems like a really cool package to increase performance, though I wouldn't be thrilled with the loss of open area with the seats down.

 

THE best mod for the money is a 19 or 22 MM rear sway bar period.
All that other stuff is overkill unless you intend to seriously track you MINI in which case you'll also need a Schroth 4 point harness and a Snell or Bell helmet...and the list goes on.

 

Rear strut bar does NOTHING--just marketing. All rear suspension mounting and shocks are NOT helped by these braces. Just look at where the shocks and rear trailing arms mount to the car. Complete waste of money.
Front ties the shock/strut towers together--better design is it can be triangulated to something (firewall).

 

Good info there. I am starting to narrow down my first major mods for the car.

I don't really like the look of the M7 package in the back.

So what RSB is the recommended one? I am thinking about going with the JCW Sport Suspension from Mini - it comes with struts, springs and front and rear bars. Just for the warranty, etc.

 

Any larger brand name rear bar will work (I like the hollow Hotchkis--less weight). All depends on how you are going to use the car as to how large to go.
Front bar is a PITA to change.

 

I also went with the Hotchkis hollow 25mm rear ASB on my R56. Very nice piece.

 

I added the Hotchkiss hollow RSB today and while it wasn't the only thing I changed - and therefore I can't say for certain what changed what - the biggest immediate difference was much, much flatter cornering. Really dig the new feel.

 

See sig block... Car runs of on rails.

 

The MINI has a pretty stiff chassis from the factory (ever notice going into a driveway on 3 wheels?), and the handling is pretty good stock. Like others have said, RSB is a good thing to upgrade, especially because most are adjustable. You can then tailor the amount of additional rear stiffness to suit your driving style (and the other mods on the car). Front sway bar changes are not usually done, because that would then require an even stiffer rear bar to balance the car again.

There are lots of threads here about suspension mods. Figure out what you want to improve with the car before spending money, it can get expensive quick.

The factory JCW red spring stuff is expensive but supposedly does pretty well. You can likely get a system of aftermarket parts that work as well (or better) for less money. Again, it all depends what you want (lowering, stiffer suspension, better balance, etc).

have fun
Mike