The strut towers on my 05 MCS are fine and I'm about to put a set of BBS R90s with Falken 215x45/17's on the car. A buddy suggested that before I put the wheels/tires on I add the strut tower plates to prevent mushrooming. Then I read a bunch of threads here and I still can't figure out if it's worth spending the xtra $80 for the M7 STB or to just get the M7 Strut Reinforcement plates.. I'm not into Xcrossing, or racing and not a big modder either, though I do want to protect the strut towers and I have the sport package on the car, also.

Thanks for your unbiased opinions, lol.

 

Are you happy with the handling that you have now?

If you get the STB and decide that it's not adding anything, you can simply remove the bar and still have the plates.

For me, I think the STB does add a bit of stability, but with a Cabrio, I need all I can get.

 

Here is a post I made in a similar thread:

 

The contrary argument is that Mini is different. Given the short distance between the towers and the firewall, there is a very minimal lever arm already. Thus the ability of the towers to flex is relatively small to begin with.

 

I prefer the STB just because of the extra lateral support. I think it made a big difference in my roll-over. Be aware tho that you will likely have to remove the bonnet insulation to prevent the (M7) STB from deforming the hood closure.

 

Hmm not that this is good advertizing for Dinan, but when I removed my Dinan STB to transfer to my 06 MCS from my 02 mcs 1 tab of the 3 mounting points (the same one on each side) had broken, I'm assuming this was caused from a reasonable amount of flex? I did get the tabs welded back on again btw and I noticed an immediate difference when I added the STB. Never had any mushrooming problems on my 02 MCS with the STB after 60,000miles and 35 series rubber on 18" rims, and currently none on my 2006

 

FWIW- I have the M7 STB and while it could be all in my mind, I swear I can tell the difference when its on or off.

 

Thanks guys.. I have to say I'm still on the fence though it seems logical to get the STB.. I think M7s reinforcement plates look better than Cravenspeed and attach with the factory nuts/bolts, as you all know. I'm not going to go to 18" wheels and am hoping the 215x45x17s will fit, though many NAMers seem to run this size without problems. I'm not to hip on removing the hood insulation to fit the strut though.. Oh well. More feedback is certainly welcome..

 

when it bends it'll bend with the mushroom kits. i dont use one and
haven't had any issues since owning this car back in 03.

tires ive used are 205/45/17RF's (originals that came with the R90's when
i bought the car), 205/50/16, 215/45/17.

 

Ken, how many potholes have you bottomed in at speed? Just curious...

I've driven my car hard for 36,000 miles with some awful high speed highway pothole bangage... and no mushrooming, I think thanks to the M7 plates... know other folks with similar experience, but no plates, who did mushroom...

 

It sort of makes me wonder also.. My 05 has 22.5K and no mushrooming, though roads are pretty good around here.. To be honest, I'd prefer to spend the money on something other than reinforcement plates, but in theory, they make sense since this issue seems to be widespread with all Minis..

 

Rollover That's a good reason, but I'd say you would be fine without the bar. I have the M7 STB system and love it, but doesn't sound like something you would see any gains. Plus should you start AutoX or Track and want the bar, you could always sell the caps on NAM and buy a new STB system.