how much of a PIA was the front?

 

2 Hours labor time!!!
The tech removed the subframe, with the lower control arms, steering rack and sway bar as one!
Replaced the bar, then put it all back up. Took him just over 2 1/2 hours.

 

A lot faster than I thought, nice

 

No squeaks, rattles, or other issues!! Im so happy!!

Now to get rid of that 4X4 wheel gap!!!

 

Sounds good. Look forward to hearing how you like it with the springs too.

 

Right now, due to the humongousness (sp) of the bars, it feels like they are acting like helper springs.

The other glitch I have, since the bushings are tight, haven't loosened yet.
The tech installed the bar, and links with the car unsprung. Suspension components that contain bushings have to be tightened down with the car's suspension loaded.
That means when I get the Moog end links, Ill have to leave the wheels off, and support the rotors at the outer hub on wood blocks, level the bar to the links' length before installing them.
Also known as preloading.

 

What springs did you get? H&R?

 

A larger sway bar effectively increases the spring rate of the side that is compressed the most.

 

Yes I did!

 

Mine felt a lot stiffer also and I have a softer rear bar (25 mm hollow vs your solid). I opted to not change the springs because of that and stayed with the MINI sports springs. Yup, it has a good 4x4 wheel gap but it is pot hole city around here and stiffer springs would have really killed the ride.

As ride goes, what shocks do you have in? The Bilstein B8s I put in really improved the ride, especially for the sharp ridges in a road, and handling.

 

I have the DDC, so even in Sport mode its softer than Sport option.
I can program the Sport mode to not stiffen the dampers.
Im going to do the springs and see,

 

I'm currently debating doing front and rear vs just a rear.

Did the front sway bar change the steering response at all?

In hindsight do you think doing both bars were worth the extra cost?

 

It literally is a go-kart now.

Will do some twists this weekend for sure!!!

TO me, it was worth it!!

And for those wondering, I ordered NM rear end links.
For the front all that is available are the Moog links, at least they aren’t
like coat hanger thin!!

 

I'm looking at replacing the sway bars F & R also. I looked at 3 different manufactures in regards to
this option still sorting through this.

 

I havent installed on the new JCW yet, but rear sway on my previous MCS (along with springs) was a night and day change. I would second the thing about replacing the links. Mine were clunky towards the end with stock, next time will do links as well...

 

3?
I only know of Eibach, and H&R that sell front and rear, who's the 3rd?

 

Is this better??

 

I guess

They are huge compared to the rears

 

Moog.
$14 each on sale at Rockauto.


NM rears coming from ECS.

 

The original front links are the same length, but 6mm thick
with plastic ends.

 

Way Motors has an adjustable set that are made for the street. On the Gen II MINIs the mounting points between the sway bar and the control arm are not aligned; they are at an angle to each other. The adjustable ones allow for proper alignment unlike the stock links. This will cut down on any binding which may cause expensive wear.

 

You do realize I have a gen III.
The sway bar link mounts on the strut.
And yes there is an extreme angle during turns, hence
the ball joint at the ends.

 

Does anyone have the actual specs of the S and JCW/sport sway bars?

 

I mic'd the bars on my 2014 S w/ OEM Sports Suspension: front is 24.5mm and rear is 22mm. The rear is hollow; I don't know about the front, but probably the same. So there's not really an apples-to-apples way to compare with aftermarket bars, since those are all solid. Unless someone wants to cut open an OEM bar and check the wall thickness...

 

M7 makes adjustable front links for Gen 3. Difference between the two is length.

https://www.m7tuning.com/gen-3-mini-...oper-10-510800

https://www.m7tuning.com/gen-3-mini-...oper-10-510700