What are some quick cheap and easy handling upgrades?

 

Rear sway bar.....
Next up...
Fix anything worn...bet the lower control arm bushings are bad, struts are likely bad/worn.....
Then better tires...many folks run junk...and remember driver skill....
Many folks jump to say coilovers....but IMO not a good option on a street car if it is a daily driver....

 

+1 rear sway bar

 

rear sway bar, ill be puttin one on soon

 

+1 on rear sway & this:

 

What's the brand of that?

 

shocks, rear swaybar, alignment, good tires.

proper alignment may require rear lower control arms and front fixed or adjustable camber plates.

- andy

 

AP+P. Tames the front w/o hood bulge.

 

That's what I thought it said, but I can't find anything about them. Where did you get it from/do they have a website?

 

what's everyone's opinion on the front strut bar? I've been told by people who race the r53 that on fwd car like the mini it can actually hurt the cars handling?

any input?

 

People get strut bar and sway bar confused.

A larger front swaybar is generally not recommended. It will increase understeer.

A front strut bar will have a relatively minor impact overall, but IMO it's positive. Small but positive.

- andy

 

Front strut bar will make a difference if you really push into and out of corners.

 

The "cabrio strut braces" are also a cheap mod to help stiff in the from strut towers...
Can be fitted to any 2005+ car in minutes...most 2004 cars too...the holes are predrilled...
More stiffness for you $$ than a front strut bar.....but complementary to one...

 

My mom's cabrio just sits at my place because she never drives it. Might grab them from her car for my coupe...

 

Just BUY a set...they are only about $40-60 if I recall right...
Take them off your mom's car....never heard anything so dishonest and sketchy in my life.... hope you are just joking...and would never consider destroying another mini drivers ride to make your better and save a couple $$...especially your MOM's!!!!
They are on the cabrio for a reason....THE ADDED STIFFNESS is needed with the lack of the roof, or there is noticble dash flexing and squeekes...
But on a hardtop...they ADD GOODNESS.....making it even stiffer....

 

Bahaha you caught me. Yeah outmotoring sells them for 40 bucks. She'd probably feel the difference anyways!

 

Thanks for the input guys I know I need tires I'm running stock pirelli run flats, not the best for flying through corners at 40+

 

Get a rear sway bar. Ditch the runflats. I ran a strut bar for a few years, sold it and didn't notice any difference.

 

Rear swaybar. Any chassis stiffening you can will help along with good tires like everyone has said. This is the one I use STB