MINI2

TallAndy · Mar 11th, 2005, 01:16 PM

Ordered the Strut Brace from my dealer - £165.00 inc VAT didn't really want to pay the £95/hour labour that they charge.

I presume its easy enough to fit yourself? Do I need any special tools anything to aware of?

Cheers,

Andy

pocketrocketowner · Mar 11th, 2005, 02:20 PM

One 13 mm spanner or a ratchet and a 13 mm socket. Undo the nuts, slap the sucker on, tighten down the nuts to the specified torque. DO NOT jack up the car while doing.
Hope this helps....

total time: 2.3 minutes.....OK I exaggerate, 10 minutes

This of course on a plain jane strut brace.....

TallAndy · Mar 11th, 2005, 04:12 PM

Sounds easy enough

Thanks!

ChrisBuer · Mar 11th, 2005, 11:13 PM

When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down..

Maybe they meant a spanner

or maybe it is a special tool...who knows

Jones · Mar 12th, 2005, 12:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down..

Maybe they were referring to the guy who fitted it?!!

RedUn · Mar 12th, 2005, 02:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down..

Maybe they meant a spanner

or maybe it is a special tool...who knows

torque wrench most likely, no need for that tho just tighten it to "thats not comin off" torque with a big spanner

ChrisBuer · Mar 13th, 2005, 10:21 AM

Some pics of the brace...

Theres a few more in my gallery all of a higher resolution

TallAndy · Mar 13th, 2005, 02:17 PM

Looks nice, notice better handling? I imagine agressive cornering should be better.

Collect it monday morning

ChrisBuer · Mar 14th, 2005, 01:11 PM

Yes much better handling (or so I think).

Went out in my mates Focus RS yesterday and was shown what real handling was

Still, it’s definitely very good and looks nice as well

TallAndy · Mar 14th, 2005, 04:37 PM

Just opened it up, comes with washers and new bolts. Looks really nice! I presume its made of aluminium as it is very light.

Focus RS hey... surely its not miles better handling that the S?

ChrisBuer · Mar 14th, 2005, 06:21 PM

Yeah its a really nice piece of kit!!

The RS is leagues ahead of the Mini

The LSD makes up for a lot of it but it just doesn't loose grip AT all!!

S1monLM · Mar 14th, 2005, 07:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

Some pics of the brace...

Theres a few more in my gallery all of a higher resolution

For some reason, my ECU sits higher than my JCW air box!

GTT 280 · Mar 18th, 2005, 09:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

Yeah its a really nice piece of kit!!

The RS is leagues ahead of the Mini

The LSD makes up for a lot of it but it just doesn't loose grip AT all!!

Wait a minute - the Focus RS has better handling than the MINI. I find that hard to believe.

It must have better shocks on that the stock MCS, but i think most of it is down to your driving style. I think somebody needs to go on a course

I've never been outwitted with regards to handling.

Incidentally, once the strut brace has been sized to fit your chasis, then you can take it off and refit it with a normal spanner. Although using a torque wrench is ideal, and if you buy one for your wheel nuts (£70) you can use it for loads.

ChrisBuer · Mar 19th, 2005, 10:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper S Works

Wait a minute - the Focus RS has better handling than the MINI. I find that hard to believe.

It must have better shocks on that the stock MCS, but i think most of it is down to your driving style. I think somebody needs to go on a course

I've never been outwitted with regards to handling.

Incidentally, once the strut brace has been sized to fit your chasis, then you can take it off and refit it with a normal spanner. Although using a torque wrench is ideal, and if you buy one for your wheel nuts (£70) you can use it for loads.

Yes the Focus RS has far better handling than the Mini. I love my car dearly but there is really no comparison. Unless you've driven a Focus RS, it would be hard to make a judgement, but fortunately I've had the privellege of driving both! The RS just does not lose grip.

Where the RS tucks in, the Mini would start to understeer. Yes you have to battle with the steering wheel as the diff tugs away, but it just sticks like glue!

I'm a ROSPA advanced driver and a member of the IAM so I do know how to drive

(looking to get my racing license soon

). From driving them both, I prefer the performance and handling of the RS! However, the inside of the car is...well a little blue! The Mini is a lot better inside!

Don't forget also that the RS was only about 1.5 seconds slower than a BMW M3 (new version) around a track. I doubt even the JCW Mini would get near that!

Tonyt3 · Mar 19th, 2005, 11:28 AM

If you go to a specialist tool retailer (one that the motor trade go to...) you can buy a quality toruque wrench for around £30. You'll pay at least double that at a mainstream retailer like Halfords etc.

I carry one around in the boot of my mini all the time. Having nearly loat a wheel after a track event I can well recommend it.

minibee · Mar 20th, 2005, 09:46 AM

Question..

What does the Strut brace do,is the JCW one the best to have or are aftermarket ones just as good.

and how much do you have to spend for a JCW strut .

Neil.

TallAndy · Mar 25th, 2005, 05:51 PM

Cost me £165. And fitted it myself. Very rigid feels very confident under agressive cornering, and under heavy breaking, no squirming around.

Looks really nice too

Mar 11th, 2005, 01:16 PM	#1
TallAndy Taller Than You! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bolton Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 1,326 Offline	JCW Strut Brace Fitting Help Ordered the Strut Brace from my dealer - £165.00 inc VAT didn't really want to pay the £95/hour labour that they charge. I presume its easy enough to fit yourself? Do I need any special tools anything to aware of? Cheers, Andy

Mar 11th, 2005, 11:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
ChrisBuer MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Essex Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 874 Offline	When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down.. Maybe they meant a spanner or maybe it is a special tool...who knows Lotus Elise SC - Collecting 1st April

Mar 12th, 2005, 12:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jones See you in my rear view!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Many places.... Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 837 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down.. Maybe they were referring to the guy who fitted it?!! *210bhp JCW MINI Cooper S (S950)*

Mar 13th, 2005, 10:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
ChrisBuer MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Essex Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 874 Offline	Some pics of the brace... Theres a few more in my gallery all of a higher resolution Attached Thumbnails Lotus Elise SC - Collecting 1st April Last edited by ChrisBuer : Mar 13th, 2005 at 10:54 AM.

Mar 14th, 2005, 01:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
ChrisBuer MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Essex Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 874 Offline	Yes much better handling (or so I think). Went out in my mates Focus RS yesterday and was shown what real handling was Still, it’s definitely very good and looks nice as well Lotus Elise SC - Collecting 1st April

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Mar 11th, 2005, 02:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
pocketrocketowner Best Personal Regards Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ile de Vaux, France Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 2,035 Offline	One 13 mm spanner or a ratchet and a 13 mm socket. Undo the nuts, slap the sucker on, tighten down the nuts to the specified torque. DO NOT jack up the car while doing. Hope this helps.... total time: 2.3 minutes.....OK I exaggerate, 10 minutes This of course on a plain jane strut brace.....

Mar 11th, 2005, 04:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
TallAndy Taller Than You! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bolton Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 1,326 Offline	Sounds easy enough Thanks!

Mar 12th, 2005, 02:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
RedUn MUGEN POWER Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: s2ki.com Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 11,247 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down.. Maybe they meant a spanner or maybe it is a special tool...who knows torque wrench most likely, no need for that tho just tighten it to "thats not comin off" torque with a big spanner

Mar 13th, 2005, 02:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
TallAndy Taller Than You! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bolton Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 1,326 Offline	Looks nice, notice better handling? I imagine agressive cornering should be better. Collect it monday morning

Mar 14th, 2005, 04:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
TallAndy Taller Than You! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bolton Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 1,326 Offline	Just opened it up, comes with washers and new bolts. Looks really nice! I presume its made of aluminium as it is very light. Focus RS hey... surely its not miles better handling that the S?

Mar 14th, 2005, 06:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
ChrisBuer MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Essex Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 874 Offline	Yeah its a really nice piece of kit!! The RS is leagues ahead of the Mini The LSD makes up for a lot of it but it just doesn't loose grip AT all!! Lotus Elise SC - Collecting 1st April

Mar 14th, 2005, 07:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
S1monLM MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2004 Local Time: 10:30 PM Posts: 55 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer Some pics of the brace... Theres a few more in my gallery all of a higher resolution For some reason, my ECU sits higher than my JCW air box!

Mar 18th, 2005, 09:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
GTT 280 The Power Cube My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2002 Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 2,557 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer Yeah its a really nice piece of kit!! The RS is leagues ahead of the Mini The LSD makes up for a lot of it but it just doesn't loose grip AT all!! Wait a minute - the Focus RS has better handling than the MINI. I find that hard to believe. It must have better shocks on that the stock MCS, but i think most of it is down to your driving style. I think somebody needs to go on a course I've never been outwitted with regards to handling. Incidentally, once the strut brace has been sized to fit your chasis, then you can take it off and refit it with a normal spanner. Although using a torque wrench is ideal, and if you buy one for your wheel nuts (£70) you can use it for loads. Too many mods to list, PM me if the cat needs killing...

Mar 19th, 2005, 10:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
ChrisBuer MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Essex Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 874 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper S Works Wait a minute - the Focus RS has better handling than the MINI. I find that hard to believe. It must have better shocks on that the stock MCS, but i think most of it is down to your driving style. I think somebody needs to go on a course I've never been outwitted with regards to handling. Incidentally, once the strut brace has been sized to fit your chasis, then you can take it off and refit it with a normal spanner. Although using a torque wrench is ideal, and if you buy one for your wheel nuts (£70) you can use it for loads. Yes the Focus RS has far better handling than the Mini. I love my car dearly but there is really no comparison. Unless you've driven a Focus RS, it would be hard to make a judgement, but fortunately I've had the privellege of driving both! The RS just does not lose grip. Where the RS tucks in, the Mini would start to understeer. Yes you have to battle with the steering wheel as the diff tugs away, but it just sticks like glue! I'm a ROSPA advanced driver and a member of the IAM so I do know how to drive (looking to get my racing license soon ). From driving them both, I prefer the performance and handling of the RS! However, the inside of the car is...well a little blue! The Mini is a lot better inside! Don't forget also that the RS was only about 1.5 seconds slower than a BMW M3 (new version) around a track. I doubt even the JCW Mini would get near that! Lotus Elise SC - Collecting 1st April

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Mar 19th, 2005, 11:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 4,405 Offline	If you go to a specialist tool retailer (one that the motor trade go to...) you can buy a quality toruque wrench for around £30. You'll pay at least double that at a mainstream retailer like Halfords etc. I carry one around in the boot of my mini all the time. Having nearly loat a wheel after a track event I can well recommend it. http://www.mini2.com/forum/models-co...ming-soon.html

Mar 20th, 2005, 09:46 AM	#16 (permalink)
minibee up the reds Join Date: May 2003 Location: moving house Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 3,002 Offline	Question.. What does the Strut brace do,is the JCW one the best to have or are aftermarket ones just as good. and how much do you have to spend for a JCW strut . Neil.

Mar 25th, 2005, 05:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
TallAndy Taller Than You! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bolton Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 1,326 Offline	Cost me £165. And fitted it myself. Very rigid feels very confident under agressive cornering, and under heavy breaking, no squirming around. Looks really nice too

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