MINI2

REDHOT CHILLI COOPER · Jul 27th, 2007, 09:49 PM

I was about to buy a JCW Strut Brace this weekend for my Cooper, but after a quick look at some posts on the forum (from @ 18 months ago), I'm a little concerned with some issues about the mounting nuts that are supplied have "cracked" in half on a few owners cars.

Could anyone tell me if this problem was resolved, was it a couple of unfortunate owners or have there been any more "cracked nuts" to report (ouch).

I know there are a few on here that believe the JCW brace is not really upto it but to be honest I'm not really looking for ultimate track cornering performance, and like the idea of being able to fit it without either cutting or removing the bonnet liner, lifting the bonnet or as I believe with the GTT brace (which I really like the look of), on the Cooper I'd have to remove the battery box lid.

Cheers,

M111 CGC · Jul 28th, 2007, 09:15 AM

You'll be fine so long as you have a new set of nuts and you torque them only to the correct torque figure (can't remember what figure it was, you'll have to search on the forum).

Chris

REDHOT CHILLI COOPER · Jul 28th, 2007, 08:43 PM

Thanks buddy, going to order one this weekend.

GTT 280 · Jul 29th, 2007, 07:25 AM

i wouldn't be concerned with the bolts, but i would be concerned about the strut brace.
waste of money mate. it does nothing.

Cheers,
K.

Mike Edwards · Jul 29th, 2007, 05:19 PM

On the basis that I can feel a difference going over cobbles and on roundabouts, we'll have to agree to disagree.

There are better ones available though.

REDHOT CHILLI COOPER · Jul 29th, 2007, 07:05 PM

I've already got the OMP lower brace fitted which is making quite a difference to the turn in and handling, along with the Eibach springs.

I'm really looking at the top brace mainly for looks when I pop the bonnet, and was just a little concerned regarding the nuts.

As you say there are better struts avaliable for chassis control but don't really want to start fettling with removing parts or misaligning the bonnet when it's closed. So for the difference it's going to make to my daily drive, even if I do sometimes press on a bit

, I thought I'd stick to some JCW bling.

Cheers for the replies......

The Red Baron · Jul 29th, 2007, 07:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GTT 270 (original)

i wouldn't be concerned with the bolts, but i would be concerned about the strut brace.
waste of money mate. it does nothing.

Cheers,
K.

Both have their merits.

Chris
(owner of a GP fitted with a GTT strut brace and a Cooper fitted with a JCW strut brace)

Mike Edwards · Jul 30th, 2007, 06:25 PM

You could try the motorsport brace (as used in the Mini Challenge series) - it's cheaper, doesn't rub on the underbonnet sound insulation, and is a single piece (so is stiffer).

REDHOT CHILLI COOPER · Jul 30th, 2007, 06:31 PM

Cheers Mike, didn't realise that would be different to the JCW brace.

Where is the best place to get the motorsport (MINI Challenge) version then? Can the dealers supply them?

Mike Edwards · Jul 31st, 2007, 09:01 PM

Mini Motorsport would be favourite.

Shorty · Aug 1st, 2007, 08:43 PM

I had the JCW brace fitted as soon as I picked up my cab, and as good as it looks it did
nothing to the handling. I took it off , and left it off for a week whilst I awaited the delivery of
the GTT brace and I can honestly say it made no difference!

Whereas the GTT brace is a totally different beast altogether.....totally transforms the handling!

Cooooooperslad · Aug 3rd, 2007, 02:13 PM

Bit off topic but Shorty sis your number plate S200 MCS? Black mini cabrio

Jul 27th, 2007, 09:49 PM	#1
REDHOT CHILLI COOPER MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hemel Hempstead Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 168 Offline	JCW Strut Brace - Nuts I was about to buy a JCW Strut Brace this weekend for my Cooper, but after a quick look at some posts on the forum (from @ 18 months ago), I'm a little concerned with some issues about the mounting nuts that are supplied have "cracked" in half on a few owners cars. Could anyone tell me if this problem was resolved, was it a couple of unfortunate owners or have there been any more "cracked nuts" to report (ouch). I know there are a few on here that believe the JCW brace is not really upto it but to be honest I'm not really looking for ultimate track cornering performance, and like the idea of being able to fit it without either cutting or removing the bonnet liner, lifting the bonnet or as I believe with the GTT brace (which I really like the look of), on the Cooper I'd have to remove the battery box lid. Cheers,

Jul 28th, 2007, 09:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
M111 CGC Mini Madness My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Berkshire Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 371 Offline	You'll be fine so long as you have a new set of nuts and you torque them only to the correct torque figure (can't remember what figure it was, you'll have to search on the forum). Chris 2007 Clubman Cooper D ~ 2004 Cooper S JCW

Jul 29th, 2007, 07:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
GTT 280 The Power Cube My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2002 Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 2,472 Offline	i wouldn't be concerned with the bolts, but i would be concerned about the strut brace. waste of money mate. it does nothing. Cheers, K. Too many mods to list, PM me if the cat needs killing...

Jul 29th, 2007, 07:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
The Red Baron The Red Baron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Legoland Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 5,000 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by GTT 270 (original) i wouldn't be concerned with the bolts, but i would be concerned about the strut brace. waste of money mate. it does nothing. Cheers, K. Both have their merits. Chris (owner of a GP fitted with a GTT strut brace and a Cooper fitted with a JCW strut brace) LIVE from http://www.miniadventureworld.com

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Jul 28th, 2007, 08:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
REDHOT CHILLI COOPER MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hemel Hempstead Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 168 Offline	Thanks buddy, going to order one this weekend.

Jul 29th, 2007, 05:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike Edwards MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Herefordshire Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 762 Online	On the basis that I can feel a difference going over cobbles and on roundabouts, we'll have to agree to disagree. There are better ones available though.

Jul 29th, 2007, 07:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
REDHOT CHILLI COOPER MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hemel Hempstead Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 168 Offline	I've already got the OMP lower brace fitted which is making quite a difference to the turn in and handling, along with the Eibach springs. I'm really looking at the top brace mainly for looks when I pop the bonnet, and was just a little concerned regarding the nuts. As you say there are better struts avaliable for chassis control but don't really want to start fettling with removing parts or misaligning the bonnet when it's closed. So for the difference it's going to make to my daily drive, even if I do sometimes press on a bit , I thought I'd stick to some JCW bling. Cheers for the replies......

Jul 30th, 2007, 06:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mike Edwards MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Herefordshire Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 762 Online	You could try the motorsport brace (as used in the Mini Challenge series) - it's cheaper, doesn't rub on the underbonnet sound insulation, and is a single piece (so is stiffer).

Jul 30th, 2007, 06:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
REDHOT CHILLI COOPER MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hemel Hempstead Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 168 Offline	Cheers Mike, didn't realise that would be different to the JCW brace. Where is the best place to get the motorsport (MINI Challenge) version then? Can the dealers supply them?

Jul 31st, 2007, 09:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mike Edwards MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Herefordshire Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 762 Online	Mini Motorsport would be favourite.

Aug 1st, 2007, 08:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
Shorty MINI2 Master Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Great Malvern Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 1,356 Offline	I had the JCW brace fitted as soon as I picked up my cab, and as good as it looks it did nothing to the handling. I took it off , and left it off for a week whilst I awaited the delivery of the GTT brace and I can honestly say it made no difference! Whereas the GTT brace is a totally different beast altogether.....totally transforms the handling!

Aug 3rd, 2007, 02:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Cooooooperslad MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2007 Local Time: 08:06 PM Posts: 498 Offline	Bit off topic but Shorty sis your number plate S200 MCS? Black mini cabrio

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