Or are their others that are better? Can I install it myself and save the 82.00 the dealer wants?

Thanks!

pete

 

No it's not worth it at all, does nada.
Get the M7 bar, it has SRP's on it to help prevent mushrooming of the shock towers. It even looks better. If you can turn a socket wrench you can do this.

 

Thanks, I was kinda figuring that.. Anyone got a linky to the M7?

 

Try the vendor directory

 

If you go with the JCW brace, you might want to check out morristown MINI. Much cheaper and install is easy, just roll up your sleeves.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...tegoryID=75816

 

M7 will help prevent mushrooming. JCW will not. I still tore my right strut mount with the M7 STB. Think about basic physics. Energy has to go somewhere. Adding the M7 helps prevent (but not stop) mushrooming. If the mounts were strong enough to prevent deformation without it - we might not be having this discussion.

Most importantly, watch out for potholes, especially with run-flats. Installing the M7 is easy - even a girl can do it. (I did, I also installed the intercooler diverter and the wheels). The only thing I didn't do on Starbuck was the JCW suspension.

 

They are simple to fit and look nice, but I found mine doesn't do much.

 

In a word, no. For the same money you can get much better upgrades.

 

If you've gotta have a strut-top bar (the benefits are pretty minimal on a MINI), get one that works. Try the OMP bar for $125.

BTW, installing a strut-top brace takes maybe 4 minutes - the dealer must be quoting you a minimum one-hour service cost or something, because it is just remove and replace six easily-accessible nuts.

For actual performance upgrade, get the MINI Cabrio diagonal braces for $50 and an OMP lower brace for $125, and get handling improvements as a result.
http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=290

 

the M7 bar didn't prevent mushrooming on my '06 and it went on the day I brought the car home. It did however push my hood up and wear through the plastic sheathing on my hood release cables.

I'm now running Craven STD's (nice beveled edge...no wear possible on the cables), the TSW X-brace and the Cabrio braces. My hood closes just fine and I have all the front end stiffness one needs for the street.