[jksgoh]

hello fellow miniers
went to look at my car yesterday and i suspect i have mushrooming =(. anyway done a bit of reading up on it, and M7 ( i know its a bit controversial ) strut towerbrace seems to do the trick.
But i got no idea where i can get them in aus (couldnt really find any mushrooming threads for aus??), anyone know of where i can get them? btw im in melb
also, what have you other aussie mini owners used to prevent mushrooming?

here are the pics of the towers, with evidence of slight mushrooming.

[daisygirl]

I have spoken to the guys from M7 when at AMVIV in Las Vegas a few weeks ago and we were thinking of getting the same strut tower brace.

I would contact the guys direct at www.m7tuning.com and ask them how much to post direct to Australia as they said they have sent them before.

If you want to PM me for more details I also have their emails and phone numbers if you want to talk to Peter directly.

If we order two we might get a discount but we are in Brisbane but can pickup from Melbourne if you get it soon.

[Paul_T]

I'm about to buy one - so if you guys can do a good deal - then put me in on that one too please. I'm in Brisbane

[MickyD]

depending on the price I may be as well. Mine has already 'shroomed, but at least if I get it straightened an STB might stop it happening again....

[Paul_T]

I want to get mine on there pronto - I've got 3000k's on the clock now, with no visibile signs of mushrooming, but prevention is the best cure.

[Darrin]

Try Corey from EuroMini (A web business based in Sydney) can supply M7 products. I recently bought the M7 Strut Bar from Euromini for about $300.00. Great service and if you live in the area you can pickup or otherwise he'll post your goodies out.

[jksgoh]

Hi guys,
so far 4 of us want to get (or are atleast thinking of) getting the m7 strut tower braces.
I'll contact euromini and m7 directly and hopefully we can get a discount!
But all of us seem to live in diff states, so duno how that will work with postage (esp from m7) yet...
But i'll get back to you guys ASAP when i know if we can get a discount.

oh, if anyone else is interested in getting in on a group buy of the m7 strut towerbraces just say so, and hopefully we can get a better discount!

[daisygirl]

The M7 website says the strut brace is USD$199 which should be approx AUD$235 based on 85c exchange rate. So hopefully the postage wont cost AUD$75 per brace which should make it cheaper to order directly from M7.

Thanks for looking into this and I will check around to see if anyone else wants one.

[im_dave]

I'm in. Thanks for organising!

[Darrin]

Guys/Gals,

I have an 06 Cooper S and when I installed this brace the rear of the bonnet sat about 5mm too high. The bonnet liner, I believe, in later model Minis is thicker. The M7 instructions will suggest wetting the liner and closing the bonnet and leaving overnight - tried this and it didn't work.

But don't worry, remove the bonnet liner and from the rear, using a stanely knife, carefully thin the liner. A little bit fiddly and lot more work but this will allow the bonnet to close properly and the liner when refitted looks perfect

However, this brace looks great and the extra effort is definitely worthwhile. Plus I'm yet to see another brace which will afford the same protection with regard to mushrooming.

[SupeRub]

I am interested. Depends on price though.

Rub

[AndrewH]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darrin (original)

Guys/Gals,

I have an 06 Cooper S and when I installed this brace the rear of the bonnet sat about 5mm too high.

I found that when I fitted the JCW strut brace, it lifted the rear of the bonnet as well although it wasn't quite as bad as yours (and it's OEM too ). Having said that, it has settled down a lot since I fitted it to the extent that I no longer notice it any more

Also, I wouldn't suggest anyone fit a JCW strut brace if they are trying to prevent mushrooming as you have to fit washers on the underside of the strut tower plate which ends up leaving a gap between the strut tower and the brace plate.

Oh, and do not over tighten the nuts when your doing them up - they can snap off quite easily - just ask Tiaan

[Babes]

I have the JCW strut brace, went on perfect, no fitment issues. Even had it installed free at the dealers!

[Mr G]

my question is does mushrooming really matter?

I can't see it altering steering geometry at all. It could possibly alter ride height by a Millimetere or two. at worst it could alter camber or caster very very marginally. Uneven caster can make a car a bit quirky, but camber changes with bump steer anyway. I reckon if you drove two identical cars, you wouldn't spot the difference in steering or handling unless you knew.

If its a real issue it can be fixed pretty easily with some 3mm plate and a mig welder.

[jksgoh]

hi guys,
just got a email back from euromini,
says that they can do $290 if we buy 4, and postage would be about $25-30 to brisbane (individually) or about $30-40 if we can get a few to melb.
so ye would save a little bit if we bundle them together postage wise, for the same cities.
But, would you guys who live in the same cities want the struts to be posted indiviually or bundled?

oh, a rough price guide you guys are willing to pay would be good, so that i can discuss (ie haggle) with euromini and m7
but ye a guide of what you guys are willing to pay will help heaps with figuring out numbers and such.

anyway,
heres a quick list of the ppl who have showed interest:


1.jksgoh Melb
2.Daisygirl Bris
3. Paul T Bris
4. Micky D Melb
5. Bugiz??? Melb
6. superub Brisbane
7. Im_Dave Syd

[MickyD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr G (original)

my question is does mushrooming really matter?

I can't see it altering steering geometry at all. It could possibly alter ride height by a Millimetere or two. at worst it could alter camber or caster very very marginally. Uneven caster can make a car a bit quirky, but camber changes with bump steer anyway. I reckon if you drove two identical cars, you wouldn't spot the difference in steering or handling unless you knew.

If its a real issue it can be fixed pretty easily with some 3mm plate and a mig welder.

have a drive of my car.... it makes a big difference. we're not talking about 1 or 2 mm here, my passenger side has mushroomed about 15mm.

[Paul_T]

I was going to pay the $300 from Euromini anyway - so I'm happy to pay that - no haggling needed if that's the price really. I'd rather pay the asking price and get good service from them, then screw him a couple dollars and have him not want my business in future. I'm just starting here and there are a few things I'd like to get from him.

[Mr G]

Quote: Originally Posted by MickyD (original)

have a drive of my car.... it makes a big difference. we're not talking about 1 or 2 mm here, my passenger side has mushroomed about 15mm.

but the top fulcum point of the strut. how much has that moved, and in what direction?

[Gr1zzLy]

Quote: Originally Posted by im_dave (original)

I'm in. Thanks for organising!

Well done! And about time too!

[im_dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by jksgoh (original)

hi guys,
just got a email back from euromini,
says that they can do $290 if we buy 4, and postage would be about $25-30 to brisbane (individually) or about $30-40 if we can get a few to melb.
so ye would save a little bit if we bundle them together postage wise, for the same cities.
But, would you guys who live in the same cities want the struts to be posted indiviually or bundled?

oh, a rough price guide you guys are willing to pay would be good, so that i can discuss (ie haggle) with euromini and m7
but ye a guide of what you guys are willing to pay will help heaps with figuring out numbers and such.

anyway,
heres a quick list of the ppl who have showed interest:


1.jksgoh Melb
2.Daisygirl Bris
3. Paul T Bris
4. Micky D Melb
5. Bugiz??? Melb
6. superub Brisbane
7. Im_Dave Syd

Hey dude, I can organise pick up of the parts and probably get them down to Melbourne as well if people are willing to wait!

Quote: Originally Posted by Gr1zzLy (original)

Well done! And about time too!

Haha... about time?! Haven't installed all my other stuff yet!!!