Looking for some opinions...Trying to make a call between the M7 or the Alta Front Strut Brace/Bar.
Both are priced about the same and both claim they will fit over my Alta CAI w/o top.
Would like some real world input from you more travelled Mini experts.

Thanks much ...

 

I will have the M7 STB here soon, as it is of better design.

Here's the M7 STB...

image courtesy of M7 Tuning

Here's the Alta...

image courtesy of Alta MINI Performance

The M7 STB has a full plate that is bolted to the top of the strut tower to help prevent mushrooming.
You don't get that with the Alta.

 

^^

 

What's so funny?

 

M7 is nice and thick. Alta looks like a little worm.

 

edit - erased first comment, there's a whole thread on it.

Then again, you didn't ask that, so based on the pics partsman provided, I'd go with the M7 - it looks much better.

mb

 

Thank's for sharing. Your'e absolutly right .

 

I went with the M7 STB, for the fact that both will help tighten up the front end a bit, but only the M7 piece will prevent mushrooming.

BEATNUT

 

*votes for the m7 based off looks alone*

(I know nothing about em... haha I've got the JCW bling bar )

 

...every M7 upper bar I have seen installed has made the bonnet pop up about 1/4" and the inner liner must be hogged out as well....looks VERY poor when you open your hood to see the mess.....

...Chinese stuff with someones logo etched/stuck onto it (insert 'tuner' name here).....yuk. I get the same emails from the China folks that I assume other retailers get.....then I see it in a few months with one of the MINI aftermarket shops logo on it.....rant.

 

have you ever seen any strut bar for the mini that DOESNT rub the hoodliner? even the JCW does, based on looks, i vote for the M7... although i wish they still made it in silver

 

I have the M7 STB on my car. It does fit tightly with the hood liner but my hood does not stick up at all, and I did not modify the hood liner in any way either. The only thing you notice when the hood is open is there is an indent on the hoodliner that the M7 STB leaves.

BEATNUT

 

Wow ...pretty nasty shot at M7, curious on what they think of the 'chinese' reference?

Well, I was told by M7 that no mods would be required and by the looks of the feedback, I will have to install and see how it works out. I have no problem returning it if I have to butcher my inner liner.

Time will tell, I should get the M7 bar and an air diverter before the holiday, so I can play in the garage while the turkey cooks

Thanks to all for the info above ..all comments are appreciated

 

Clearly, you have no idea what you are talking about.

 

Just soften up the hood liner with a spray bottle of water in the area where the STB will contact, and close the hood. The liner will form to the bar.

 

every bar i've had pushes up the hood a little. great idea about softening up the liner with water, i'll see if it works.