Rear sway bar: Size question

[Preppy]

So I have seen three sizes thus far: 18mm, 19mm, and 22mm. Which one of those would be recommended best?

Also, is changing the swaybar very helpful or is it not a necessary?

[betet]

Upgrading the OEM sway is a NECESSITY :redspot ... People on NAM swear this should be the first upgrade...

totally changed the feeling of taking turns (feels much firmer on the ground).. I'm using the Rspeed 22mm.. I highly recommend it.. I left it at the softest setting (3 different settings)...

///Gilbert

[Preppy]

Hmm, funny enough, thats the bar I was looking at. How hard was the install? I've done a few full suspension installs on e36/e46, as well exhaust, and whatnot...how would this compare?

[Koopah]

I have the RSpeed 22mm bar on my MCS and it IS the one non-factory mod I could not live without. I actually have mine set at the medium setting and it is terrific. VERY stable corner entry and exit without any sacrifice in ride comfort.

If you have done suspension/exhaust work, I don't think it would be a problem for you to install. There are plenty of guides on the net and RSpeed has excellent customer support. I would suggest that you use a lift for the job, as it is much easier to fit the bar if you have enough room to move around near the rear suspension.

Another change that improves the handling and ride is to replace the run-flats with some wider, stickier conventional tires.

Theo

[Preppy]

Yeah, I was planning on replacing the run-flats as I have read numerous times on NAM that the ride just becomes too harsh...

...then again, I am lowered on the e36...and the ride does get quite harsh on her too

[betet]

As Koopah has pointed out install was a piece of cake... I used both NAM's writeup (http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31792) and Randy Webb's writeup on the install... I actually did my shocks/springs/swaybar (I went w/ Koni's adjustables, and Hsport springs) in one Sunday afternoon, so I can say it was a piece of cake :D .....

But wow, what a difference it made to my car... I am now awaiting for my adjustable camber plates.. :redspot

///Gilbert

[MandaBoo]

My husband & I installed a 22mm Alta sway bar on my car last Sunday and I cannot believe the difference in the car. I am very much looking forward to a 2 day auto-x this weekend to push it more. I think we installed mine in ~1hour (trying to hurry in the morning before it got too hot out :rolleyes ) It was pretty simple and makes a world of difference

[TomM]

I tracked my '03 Cooper S at Mt. Tremblant earlier this year. The only suspension mods I have are Eibach springs and I can't see a larger swaybar being anywhere close to a necessity. I had the car sliding numerous times when I was pushing it. The only thing this car needs bad is a LSD.

Maybe autocrossing the car is better with a big rear swaybar but I wouldn't buy one now having driven the car on the track.

[Preppy]

Hey Tom, how've ya been buddy?

When you lowered your car, did you notice anything crazy, camber wise? Anything that would warrant having to buy a camber kit?

Hmm, if you say larger swaybar isn't necessary, I'm gonna take your word for it :)

[mace]

Well, a big difference that I noticed after installing R-Speed 22mm is it eliminates most of the understeer inherent in FWD cars, resulting with a very close neutral feel. That alone is worth the price itself! :D

[The Beastmaster]

Chris,

I worked on about a dozen MCS' over the 4th of July weekend and the swaybar install is a piece of cake if you have access to a lift. Take off wheels, disconnect stock sways, drop subframe, pull out sways and then put in new one. There is a difference as some of them have serviceable bushings while others do not.

Installation of a the PSS9 is another pice of cake.

[Koopah]

Preppy -

One of the interesting things about being a E46 and a MINI owner is the daily opportunities to compare the two cars and ones owned by my two circles of friends.

Prior to owning the MINI, I drove a number of friends' E36s and E46s in various states of modification. Of all that I drove, a drive in a well-prepared (suspension, tires, brakes and engine) 96 E36 M3 impressed me the most with its overall power and handling. That is, until I owned an MCS.

Now the M3 was well-balanced and very powerful. Its preparation created a well-integrated 10/10ths performer that was stable, predictable and a fast drive. But the MINI (almost out of the box with the runflats!) was a real hoot and (please don't smack me for this!) handled a bit better. Bear in mind that I have been autoxing FWD cars since the 80's and am used to the differences needed for driving FWD vs. RWD setups. To be fair, however, I would probably choose the well-prepared M3 for a track will some long, straight sectors.

If you have not yet had a chance to pilot an MCS that has had some minor suspension work and sticky tires on an autox course (or your favorite back roads, for that matter!),....DO SO IMMEDIATELY!

Just my tuppence,

Theo

[MandaBoo]

TomM,

Prior to putting on the swaybar I also doubted the need for it in anything but auto-x, but since installing it, I have found that it makes a tremendous difference in the handling of the car on a spirited drive on a twisty road. Try to take a drive in one and I think you would probably be getting one :)

[Preppy]

Heh, I bet Tom would try it if he wanted to...

but I guess Tom's driving style is more for that of a PTG M3... :stickoutt

[The Beastmaster]

Chris - When you get a MINI, just drive to my house and I'll help you install stuff? I can help you do the pulley, too, as I helped Eric Savage on some cars.

[Preppy]

......Yeah, I'm pretty sure the mini is badass and all, but driving on water isn't one of the options ;)

:stickoutt

[MandaBoo]

Well, I don't recall if the original poster was interested in autox, but I just came home from my first autox with my swaybar and I was amazed at the difference in the handling of the car. I had just a bit of oversteer and my car went really well through the turns. My husband said at one point I lifted a rear wheel a few inches off the ground. At this point my car is so tight that when I jacked it up this morning to change tires, I jacked it from the front side jack point and the back wheel came off the ground before the front one