Lowered MINI Clubman (Clubmans?)

The MINI Cooper Clubman is officially alive and roaming the streets of the US, and photos of Clubmans (Clubmans?) are finally beginning to surface. Here are a few of the first photos of lowered Clubbies floating around the internet. (click photos for larger versions):

This one- according to the (poster/owner) "xBoXlOvEr", is running H&R Springs and 215/35/18 G-Force BF Goodrich tyres. Which is how you spell tires in Madrid.

Credit/props go to Rally of stancedesigns.com for the best photoshop of a Clubman I've seen to date! Slammed and shaved, MINI designers and aftermarket tuners, take note!

The John Cooper Works JCW Clubman. Suspension courtesy of John Cooper Works:



AC Schnitzer's drop, as discussed here.


Got pics of lowered Clubman(s)? Send me a link and I'll post 'em here, so watch this thread for more photos of lowered Clubmen! (aaargh- Who chose that name anyway?!?!)

Lookie What I Got! M7 Strut Tower Brace

Way back at AMVIV, (wow- that seems soo long ago!) I acquired the ever popular M7 Strut Tower Brace. I didn't get it installed at the time because our good friends from Detroit Tuned were astute enough to point out a cracked strut mount thingy! A quick replacement (and a few sledge-wacks later) and... voila!

(Q: How do you get a good, clear shot of a Strut Bar?)

Yes- I know my engine bay needs a detailing day

I like that when you get the M7 Strut Brace you automatically get the Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates too!

M7 Strut Brace (MSRP): $199.00
(Strut Tower "Caps" compliments of "Monty")

"

M7Tuning.com | DetroitTuned.com

Ouch! Cracked Strut Mount!

While at AMVIV it was discovered that my poor MINI has fallen victim to the much discussed "Cracked Strut Mount and Strut Tower Mushroom". No- not a delectible Mediterranean dish fried over an open-flame, but a plague like design "issue" in the front-end suspension. (You can read the never ending thread on NAM here, here, and here- yeah- i told you!)

One thing I noticed in my research however, is a lack of photos of the fairly obvious symptoms. Fortunately, I have a digital camera!*

Here is (not a very good shot of) a non-mushrooming strut tower. Note it's "flatness"

Here is my other (passenger-side) strut tower, with mushroom syndrome. Note where the VIN is- that should be flat. But it is not.


Here is where the plot thickens- a severe example of a cracked strut mount ("shock mount"/"bearing something or other").
Here is that same shot with the crack marked off. Ouch!

*(super hi-res versions available here (strut mount) and here (strut tower).)


The MINI is in the shop as I write this- getting the strut mount issues repaired. Now, how do I convince them to take a 4x4 and a sledge hammer to pound the mushroom'd tower, flat? more news as it develops- now back to you in the studio!

FS: Brand New H-Sport "Sport" (27mm) Front Sway Bar (and OEM Rear Sway Bar, too!)

As the title states, this is a brand spankin' new H-Sport "Sport" (27mm) Front Sway Bar for '02 and up MINI Cooper. Hardly even breathed on, this was taken out of box only to take these photos.

Two-position adjustable, w/ Bushings, Zerk Fittings, 1/2 tube of 'loob'
Retail price: $176.00
Shipped: $100 + plus shipping (O.B.O.)

"...Perfect for aggressive canyon carving and track day events while not being too aggressive for every day street driving..."

Here's the link to the Manufacturer's official description:
http://www.h-sport.com/cgi-bin/EDCstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=22800F

Click here for larger photos



Also for sale,
OEM MCS Rear Sway Bar w/ bushings. (great as an MC upgrade or MCS replacement!) Less than ~5000 miles of use- practically new!

Retail: ???
Shipped: $50 plus shipping (O.B.O.) Click here for larger photos


I accept: Paypal, M.O., Checks*, well-hidden cash
*delivered upon clearance

Lookie What I Got! H-Sport Rear Sway Bar!

Well, I can't really show photos of my latest accoutrement, since it's under the car, in between the frame and subframe, in the rear, connected to end-links and control arms. And I was actually involved in the (free) install (thats right- i actually got my hands dirty!) So I wasn't able to take 100 photos of the process. :)

The H-SPort Sport (19mm) Rear Sway Bar
"Does it make a diffference?" you say? I left the driveway, turned left, and at 20mph I could already notice a difference in handling. I wouldn't necessarily say a "stiffer" ride, since it's not a more rough ride. I can say that I don't know why they call it a "sway-bar", when it's actually and anti-sway bar!

(from the website):
"Recommended for street and track use, the Sport Rear may be used in combination with the stock front bar. All three settings on the Sport Rear are very useful if you attend track days, yet the bar itself is perfectly suitable for daily street use without any harsh ride effects of a larger bar."


Good times!


H-Sport.com


Update: I just noticed that there is a great review of this exact item on MotoringFile.com! (silly me for not checking first!)