I have a 2009 JCW Clubman with a sport suspension. Tomorrow I plan to install a 22mm bar and new end links.

I've been doing a bit of read on what setting to set the rear bar and have yet to find the answer I'm looking for. Essentially, I'm looking to neutralize the handling and am trying to determine if I should set the bar to the softest setting or middle.

On my 2003 MCS I had the bar set on the softest setting but with the extra weight of the Clubman I'm wondering if it should be stiffer. It's also unclear to me if the Sport Suspension has a stiffer front sway bar and if I should take that into account.

Any real world experience would be appreciated.

Todd

 

I put an ALTA 19mm bar on my Clubbie. I set it on the middle setting and it's about perfect. I'll move it up to the firm setting one of these days, but it's super stable in the mountains as it is. With good tires and careful technique I think it should be safe. I just don't see a 19mm bar on a Clubman causing the car to be overly loose.

 

There is no right setting. You set it to where you feel comfortable and the car handles the way you want it.

Best bet is to put it in the middle and adjust from there.

 

With a 22 mm bar, I'd start soft and work up from there. Don't forget, you don't have to move both end links together, you can move just one and get an intermediate setting.

The best way is to do what onefish said, set it, drive it and see how it handles, then go from there.

 

One thing I forgot to suggest. Find a good twisty section, set the tire pressures and drive it hard. Put the new bar on and hit the same stretch, see how it feels. The best way to describe the difference is that it feels like the rear "rotates". You'll like it, trust me!

 

I have an 09 S with sport suspension and non runflats. I put my 22mm at the softest setting and its perfect. There are some concerns with throttle lift oversteer that I have read about but I have never experienced it with the bar at this setting.

Good Luck

 

I just replaced my endlinks and rear sway bar with a 22mm bar and it handles great..I put it in the middle setting and it seems to be fine, not sure how the other do but the middle one i can say is great.