Question about 'style bars'

[quinnster]

Hi,

My 5 (Mk1) has style bars. Personally I don't like them. I know they are no use in a roll situation. My question is do they have any useful function in improving rigidity (and therefore handling) by adding structure to the car?

Thanks, Cathal

[93 Mk1]

I guess they might help rigidity a little but they are mainly a cosmetic item. The standard Mazda brace was just a straight bar
that ran across the seat belt mounts where a style bar would go. A style bar probably gives the same rigidity but hardly a
"performance" item.

[Merlot man]

As above the rigidity it gives is minimal , as in a roll over they could act like a mouse trap
I'd say either get a proper roll over bar or a tower strut brace from a 1.8 or a wind blocker from a mk2 as it will give a bit of rigidity as well as some storage in the net and block some of the wind !
Brian

[quinnster]

Thanks guys, style bars removed yesterday and my 5 looking much the better for it (to my eyes anyway !)