[-=cHiLli=-]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-bone S (original)

Nope - look at the pics - there is a nice little cut out for the oil filler

FILTER not FILLER...


Its bad enough with the JCW version....

i++()

[bonz]

You would probally have to remove brace to get to the oil filter. Just changed my oil last week and had to remove my JCW brace for proper access to filter.

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by bonz (original)

You would probally have to remove brace to get to the oil filter. Just changed my oil last week and had to remove my JCW brace for proper access to filter.

I hope you renewed the nuts. You know they are single use don't you???

[T-bone S]

Quote: Originally Posted by i++ (original)

FILTER not FILLER...


Its bad enough with the JCW version....

i++()

- my bad - next time I'll read!!

[JG.26]

Do these things make any difference? and if so, why doesn't BMW fit them to the S in the first place?

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

Do these things make any difference? and if so, why doesn't BMW fit them to the S in the first place?

Yes and because of cost.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

Yes and because of cost.

So if it's cost which is not alot, and it makes such a difference then why isn't it made an option? It doesn't seem to be fitted to the GP as standard so surely BMW think it wouldn't make any worthwhile difference?

[GoodFinder]

Will it fit in the GP?
Would you recommend it for the GP?
Can you ship one to the US?

[bonz]

Quote:

I hope you renewed the nuts. You know they are single use don't you???

I did know that but I reused with Loctile blue threadlocker. I should not have a problem with the nuts coming loose.

[T-bone S]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

So if it's cost which is not alot, and it makes such a difference then why isn't it made an option? It doesn't seem to be fitted to the GP as standard so surely BMW think it wouldn't make any worthwhile difference?

Cost is the main issue - it is an optio or accessory - from JCW.

BMW do have them in other cars - ie M3 has a strut brace - so it is largely down to what the target market is. MINI's are more mainstream and have to be suitable to a larger audience whereas the M3 for example is aimed at a much more focused group - that said lots of non-petrolheads by them.

Another factor is potential blowback - the danger with a strut brace is that it eliminates all flex in the chassis - so that means that if you hit something with a wheel or crash through a pothole the trauma is transferred through the whole front of the car - I have seen a few cars damaged in this way - it is unlikely if your careful but something to still bare in mind

[shrekone]

i want one

[Vitesse]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

So if it's cost which is not alot, and it makes such a difference then why isn't it made an option? It doesn't seem to be fitted to the GP as standard so surely BMW think it wouldn't make any worthwhile difference?

Got to say I'm with you. It may make a difference if you were to track your car but for every day use it ain't going to make the any difference unless your driving on public roads like they are a track? Total waste of money IMO, my Mini handles fine. So don't flame me if you don't like my comments, it's just my opinion!

[GoodFinder]

The GP is an interesting combination which I'm glad they put together as a nice finale to the current gen MINI but I bet there are several interesting reasons they didn't put the front strut brace on the GP. Cost, weight, implicit marketing and/or performance message. In general, I thought (all other things being equal) less flex is better in a car? However, the suspension system is a "system" and "more" is not always "better" if it throws the system out of whack!

[rkw]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vitesse (original)

Total waste of money IMO, my Mini handles fine.

Suppose you can make your MINI handle even better, at relatively modest cost, for regular driving on public roads. Why would that be a waste? There are several mods that fit that description.

[ScienceGuy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vitesse (original)

...for every day use it ain't going to make the any difference...

it would be trivially easy for a group like GTT to actually MEASURE the strut-to-strut distance with and without the strut-brace and publish the answers.

Why don't they? Is it because there's no difference and this is only a placebo effect?
Wouldn't it be superb marketing to have these actual numbers?
Interesting lack of analysis in my opinion.

(I don't really have any data one way or the other, but I've read one and only one analysis that shows strut-braces don't make any difference during normal (non-track) driving.)

[roland2003]

Hi Guys,OK yes we can send to USA no problem and I believe will fit the GP although I have not tried it. As long as the airbox & ecu are in the same position then should be fine.
Vittesse .. Your comments are only a 'guess ' at the improvement/lack of improvement our strutbrace will make, not an opinion as you've not even seen it never mind tried it . If you base your opinion on other ( IMO lesser) strutbraces you've tried on the MCS ,then I know why you came to that conclusion. I too have tried other brands on the MCS and I agree that they made little or no difference. This product is a completly different kettle of fish to other braces out there which IMO and designed to look 'nice & racey' for the cheapest possible unit production price.
science guy...... You will notice the difference even in Tescos carpark !
Unlike a suspension kit which may trade off ride quality, anything which makes the chassis more rigid (from good strutbrace to welded in roll cage to seam welded chassis) will improve the handling of the car. It lets the suspension & steering operate in an ideal way without fixed datum points on the chassis changing relative to each other when subjected to the infinite & ever changing loads experienced when driving. The distance between the strut tops doesnt change when you bolt our brace on ,it just prevents one side moving relative to the other during driving. A weedy bar with an adjustable thread on it does nothing. If this is what you mean then Im with you. In practice there are huge compound forces which apply combinations of tension, compression, various twist actions, bend action (up & down ) and bend action (front to back ) . The only way to prevent all these occuring is a very substantial beam ajoining each side with 3 good fixings each side. The GTT Strutbrace gives just that.
Best Regards Roland GT Tuning

[roland2003]

FITTING INFO
Hi Guys, just to let you know we include new high tensile lock nuts with the GTT Strutbrace. These can be re-used as many times as you like. There is no complicated fitting ritual either . With the car on the ground (not jacked up) remove the 3 nuts each side, drop the Strutbrace into position, fit and tighten the new nuts supplied . Take 5 mins to fully take in the visual delight, then close the bonnet, Drive and be gobsmacked at the improvement
Best Regards Roland GT Tuning

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-bone S (original)

Cost is the main issue - it is an optio or accessory - from JCW.

BMW do have them in other cars - ie M3 has a strut brace - so it is largely down to what the target market is. MINI's are more mainstream and have to be suitable to a larger audience whereas the M3 for example is aimed at a much more focused group - that said lots of non-petrolheads by them.

Another factor is potential blowback - the danger with a strut brace is that it eliminates all flex in the chassis - so that means that if you hit something with a wheel or crash through a pothole the trauma is transferred through the whole front of the car - I have seen a few cars damaged in this way - it is unlikely if your careful but something to still bare in mind

Thanks T-bone, thats exactly the sort of reply I was looking for, sorry folks I forgot it's a JCW option I've always quite fancied one of these, as much as anything they look good, but I've always been a little worried that for a road car then some flex is better, doesn't matter on a track as its smooth, no pot holes etc. So your motoring along a country lane and one wheel hits a nasty pot hole whats going to happen? surely with a strut brace fitted the forces and stresses on the top suspension mounts ain't going to do the car much good, mght be totally wrong but over a peroid of time unless the suspension mounts are reinforced and designed specifically to take a brace, I ain't so sure. If I was tracking my S, would definitely get one but for road use I wouldn't risk it, and like has been said for normal road speeds round corners etc I doub't it would make that much difference.

Still, lovely strut brace Roland, very bling bling

[Milky_Car_Kid]

Roland, this looks stunning any plans to do a rear strut brace, either upper or lower?

thanks
matt

[roland2003]

Hi JG, thanks for the comments. We thought we might as well make it look good too ,and the Pearl Patina finish weve applied Im personally very pleased with.
The brace is equally befeficial and suitable on both road & track . You need not have any concerns about requiring additional parts to compliment it to prevent damaging the chassis. In effect with the strutbrace the chassis is being strenghtened to resist movement . The chassis flex you get without the strutbrace,could ,(though unlikely ) ,fatigue the metal in the chassis enough to crack ,so if anything the opposite is true. Your point however is valid if fitting shock absorbers with very high spring rates or very high compression damping or even ultra low profile tyres. Either of these could cause pot hole damage that you may have got away with on stock soft suspension and tall mushy tyres ?
Best Regards Roland GT Tuning