[TonyB]

Gang,

After much reading over the past couple weeks, I want this to be my next mod. The commentary has just been too convincing to not ponder this one...

And, at about 200 bucks ($189-$245), and with a relatively easy install of 2 hours or less, rather painless

So, two questions to see if this thread has any merit. How many of you want to commit to such a purchase by the end of the month, or sooner? And course, we need to agree upon a bar. Which one do we get?

There is the MINI-Madness bar: http://www.mini-madness.com/item.jht...2&PRID=1271765

There is the slightly heftier RDR: http://www.mini-works.com/mini_chassis_products.php

And there is the tubular H-Sport: http://www.h-sport.com/

I have heard very good things about them all, to be honest. I am intrigued by the H-Sport as it appears not to be a solid bar (tubular). I sent H-Sport an email last night about that, and I also inquired about weight, as I did with RDR. The Madness one is said to weigh 20 lbs, for example.

While some have 3 adjustment holes for more flexibility, compared to two, or of course one (stock), I personally don't forsee myself as making such changes, once set to my driving style. Not a critical factor for me...

And a bar that is deemed "overkill" wouldn't interest me either. While the Madness one is not quite as thick, it appears to be more than adequate, even for track play, so I hear. For me, my commute from/to the canyon is my play, but I do play it rather hard, thus this bar. And of course the Madness bar is a good 40 or 50 bucks less. I already have a good raport with George, so you can see where I am leaning at the moment...

Other concerns, like potential squeaks, etc? If so, please do a search on Sway Bars and spend a good 20 minutes digesting and come back. After some healthy discourse, let's decide upon a bar, and if we have at least 5 folks, I will approach the vendor of choice.

Deal?

[mikehome1]

I just posted a group sway bar buy on this site.I also posted a thread on minicooper.com.Any sway bar would be a plus;however,I'm most interested in the minimania bar,it's adjustable on the car,whereas the others need to be taken down.This might be an advantage to weekend warriors,who want to sometimes do more aggressive driving.

[TonyB]

I replied to your thread also as it appears that we posted within a minute or so of each other...

I never saw that one b4, so I haven't read any opinions. Anyone else? It looks very promising. Still in the price range...

Here it is: http://new.minimania.com/NewMiniSear...s&ShowIcons=No

As I said on your thread, we should run with one thread here on MINI2. What do you think? Please understand that I have no issue if you run with this baby With that said, I will be glad to so as well as I think this thread, with the links, might draw more interest and feedback...

[MINIAC]

Mini Mania adjustable rear sway bar:





http://new.minimania.com/NewMiniSear...s&ShowIcons=No

[TonyB]

Thanks Ron! The slide lock is really cool. Does it secure well? Would love to hear from others who have this, or have read such commentary. And if not, I would love to hear from those with sound mechanical minds. obehave was all over the sway bar threads, now he is nowhere to be found

[mikehome1]

Let's keep this going.I don't think the group has zeroed in on a certain bar.I was hopping as this thread continued,that one of the vendors might contact us.

[toofast]

Im IN!!!

RDR is my favorite... The design is simple reliable and has three adjustment postions from mild to wild! (no i dont sell them) to adjust them is a change of two bolts which is not exactly time consuming.

[paddy]

right now. As a whole, how hard are the rear sway bays to install??? What equipment would I need??? What is the cost for the H-Sport????

[TonyB]

Before I forget, doing the install appears to be quite easy. While I recall several threads, this one from Randy is a must read on MCO:

http://www.minicooperonline.com/modu...&topic=4545&29

Ok, with that said, it appears that we do have some different opinions already - which is fine. My only concern with the trick Mania one is that I've heard of no opinions yet. How long has it been on the market, impressions, etc? I sort of have a concern about loosening with such a set-up. Maybe this belief is ill-founded, but I guess that is why I would love to hear from others on this bar...

While it is more than I need (like ohbehave, I don't see myself tweaking it), I have no qualms about getting such a bar if that is where the consensus takes us. Again, I think any/all of these bars will suit my needs!

I did here back from Mark Hotchkis at H-Sport. Their bar weighs the same as stock - 6 lbs. And although it is a tubular, not solid, he said it is high quality steel and very strong. He said that Porsche, Audi and others use tubular sway bars. And the photo on the site shows it as a 3 position also - for toofast ohbehave, do you have a price on this item? I didn't see it on the site, and it appears that it is sold as a package or kit with a front sway, and if so, can it be purchased individually? BTW, the front sway, according to Mark is 10 lbs, compared to the stock that is 12...

I did reply to Mark's email and I stated that we, as a group, are contemplating a purchase very soon, and his bar was receiving serious consideration. I asked if he would be open to a group/discount purchase. I will of course share...

Can the Madness bar really weigh 20 lbs? That's what it says on their site Over 3x the weight of stock? Seems strange...

Input guys!

[mikehome1]

Again,I'm up for any swaybar.I didn't get response on minicooper.com website;but I'd assume we could drum up interest there,if we published a deal.

[HI-MINI]

Count me in on the group buy.(If the prices go down)

[TonyB]

Good point on Albert! I just PM'd him He's been invited to join us...

For those unaware of ohbehave's reference, well here you go: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=28264

Yes, let's not get back on MCO and take-up their time until we get squared-away here! That means a bar that "we" want and an agreed upon discount price from the vendor of choice. Then we will scour the boards with the offer...

Again, we've ruled nothing out, but there seems to be interest leaning toward H-Sport at the time. Also, I didn't mention their no-squeak measures are appealing as well. I hope the price is??? Anyone? I can always ask Mark tomorrow. And yes, maybe it is a package deal for a reason - that they work in tandem. Need some answers...

[Albert]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for inviting me to the thread! First off, I would recommend getting a couple other folks in here to comment as well. RandyBMC is probably the best person to talk to about comparisons, since he's had a chance to run at least the H-Sport and the Madness sway bars back to back. J.C. should also comment too, since he works for H-Sport and is also a registered mini2.com member.

I can't comment on comparisons since I've only run on H-Sport bars, but I DID at one point have a Madness rear bar in my living room! Never installed it, but I can attest that it is a tad heavy. (sorry, didn't put it on the scale).

I went with H-Sport for these reasons (no particular order):

1. H-Sport uses Energy Suspension bushings. With it, there are grease zerks, which makes for a nice and easy squeak-free solution.

2. I like the philosophy behind their decision to design a package that addresses the entire sway bar setup as a whole, and not just thinking about fixing only one end. Some people may think this isn't necessary however.

3. Expandability with H-Sport parts. This was probably one of the most important factors for me. I like the idea that H-Sport designed all of their suspension parts to work as a package. They were all tested on the same MCS, and were tweaked until they got it right. From what Mark Hotchkis had told me, each part has gone through a number of re-designs until they got it right (some more than others ). So with that in mind, it's appealing to me to know that I can continuously add on different H-Sport parts, knowing that each one was specifically designed to work with each other.

4. Hotchkis's established reputation for high quality, well thought out products. Ask any domestic car enthusiast!

Dang! Hope I didn't sound like too much of a pitch-man! Oh, one other thing. The H-Sport bars have three settings in the back, and 2 in the front. I guess that makes it adjustable 6 different ways.

[thepilo]

Sounds interesting, and one thing that turned me off about the mania sway bar is that it will be hard to get an equal left and right setting.. then you may have an unbalenced suspension... I think that 3 are more than enough setting for a sway bar, and you would only cause more problems with the infinite adjustability

[MiniMan7]

Hey, I may possibly be interested, all depending on the price and date of this buy. Thanks.

[TonyB]

Good stuff guys!

Albert, again, thank you. You already have your suspension package, so it was thoughtful for you to come over here and share as you did. Randy has extended himself often, and it seems that would be a great idea, if he wanted to. His contributions to the community are nothing short of stellar. I only chatted with once, and I don't mind contacting him, unless someone else has a better line of communication with him... Anyone want to approach Randy on this?

I don't mind shedding two pounds upfront, so if it is a packge deal, or is highly encouraged, I'd be willing to consider it. The price is bound to be more of course, and I don't know what that means to you others here. Input? And while I'm aware of the install for the rear, what is it like for the front? I'll need to pop the hood until someone chimes in...

thepilo brings-up another point on the mania bar! However, I think that could probably be overcome by incrementally marking the ends of the bar every 1/4" for example. Again, I just feel much better with the secure fit of a bolt in a hole - until I hear otherwise of course...

Being quite weight conscious about my MCS as well, putting a heavier bar back there is not exactly on my wish list. I haven't ruled-out the RDR with the nice reviews and the 3 holes as well. Anyone have a weight figure?

Ok, lets try to get some more involvement here, and to a conclusion on a bar by week's end. I think 2 more days sounds reasonable. And if not, let's give it the weekend and get in order placed by early to mid next week. I know some of you are inquiring about when...

Ciao!

[TonyB]

Ok guys I was unable to access my email prior to my previous post, but I just got in and I found this from RDR:

Dear Anthony Thanks for your inquiry. My bar is solid and weighs about one pound more than stock, in part because it also comes with lock collars that locate the bar laterally. As to size, you are definetly on the right track. Our bar is currently the stiffest on the market, and yet Grassroots Motorsports magazine, who are using our bar and control arm set-up on their racing Mini, asked us for an even LARGER bar for their competition use! We built them a one - off larger version and may in fact sell it later if it proves viable, although I suspect a bar that stiff would be a competition only item. If I can be of anymore help, don't hesitate to ask. Regards, Charlie Rossier

A pound more is cool with me. Still in the running...

I'm running late for work and I was hoping to approach Randy on this. I think Randy sells the H-Sport. Yes? If so, and we decide that is the bar to get, well, it would be quite convenient to speak with him about a group purchase...

Someone please ask him if he feels comfortable availing himself, yet again

[jdw5155]

The RDR seems a safe bet. As for the H-Sport is it as "good" or rigid as the RDR? Perhaps I could use a primmer on the role of the sway bar and what constitutes one as "better" than stock.

Assuming they're comparable I think the H-Sport front bar may simply be considered a bonus to be installed at a later date when I feel I need the front stiffened and I'm feeling particularly bold.

I'm interested. What is the count so far?

Jim

[TonyB]

A count I suppose would ultimately be dependent upon what bar and at what cost. And with that said, an unofficial count would probably include:
jdw5155, ohbehave, TonyB, MiniMan7, thepilo, mikehome1, toofast and HI-MINI.

paddy said he was on the fence and MINIAC, the great facilitator that he is, I just don't know if he want to pull the trigger on his first performance mod just yet .

So, there is "the count."

Ok, I just got this from Mark:

Good news and bad news.
You may paste the reply and we would certainly work with you on a group buy.

The bad news (if you are only looking for a rear bar)
We offer the arbs as a set. We tested several wall thicknesses front and rear and settled on a combo that works great in medium to tight radius corners. Along with a 'rear-steer' feel, without snap oversteer, the front benefits from a big jump in turn-in bit. Just a description.

Anyway, let me know if you have other questions or comments.

Mark Hotchkis
======

I replied already to Mark and provided a link to this thread, if he has time of course. I also alluded to the price concerns we probably have. I hope he can join us.

Anyone try contacting Randy?

[TonyB]

As an fyi, I did send Randy an email with this link and an invite to join us. Stay-tuned! Oh, 6 weeks and counting:

http://motortrend.com/features/news/...ws030409_mini/