Cooper (non S) Modifications specific to the MINI Cooper (R50).

The weight reduction thread

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  #101  
Old 10-26-2013, 06:32 AM
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but my owners manual (05) says an MCS is 2678lbs with all available equipment, so I take that means fully loaded, all options etc??? So my base S without sunroof (-60lbs), x-lites with non run flats (-13lbs per corner compared to s-lites with run flats), Invidia exhaust (-20lbs or so), and no other misc weight adding options i.e. navi, H/K system, leather heated seats etc should weigh in the low 2500s??

Thats ignoring the fact that reducing 52lbs in rotational weight is equivalent to a much larger reduction of static weight.
 
  #102  
Old 10-26-2013, 07:41 AM
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Take your car to a scale.... Its nowhere near that weight. :(
 
  #103  
Old 10-26-2013, 08:36 AM
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not to add into the issue any, im sure alot of the bolts and fasteners are steel for corosion factors, id say make aluminum ones, but those are weak, titanium would be ideal

changing alot of those into TI would make a difference
 
  #104  
Old 10-26-2013, 10:00 AM
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Why do people bring up stuff that nobody has any intent of ever doing...

Change everything out to titanium hardware! Well thats kinda dumb, not only would it be a few thousand dollars to buy the nuts and bolts, you would also not even drop 20 pounds doing it! This is why professional racers / car builders don't bother.

When you are trying to drop pounds, keep it simple, and dont over think it. :D
 
  #105  
Old 06-22-2014, 06:59 AM
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This is a very interesting thread with many great ideas, many of which I have already done. I just scaled me R56 yesterday with me in it (175lbs) and a full tank of fuel I topped the scales at 2382. I'm waiting on my new suspension to get here so I can corner balance the car. Also trying to find some 15x7 Volks, if anyone has some sitting in their garage.

Not to mention this weight is after installing a full Fia roll cage. Lucked out that NASA rules will let you dictate the tubing size and thickness based off race weights. So I got away with 1 1/2" OD DOM .095 wall. Which is a pretty big savings to .120 wall or even jumping to 1 3/4". Many would think my cage is overkill but I only track it and have plans for taking her up Pikes peak.

Keep those ideas coming! Shaving ounces turns to pounds.
 
  #106  
Old 11-27-2014, 11:24 PM
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Interesting topic.

Its worth spending some time checking the weights of items in the ETK. for example the whole body shell of R50 is only 234kg (with or without sunroof) and a bonnet 16.06kg. Someone asked about a W11. The short engine weighs 104 kg.

http://www.bmwetk.info/parts-catalog...010/41/41_1358
 
  #107  
Old 12-01-2014, 12:09 PM
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Well, the body with or without sunroof is simply a shell without all the sunroof hardware, so it's normal for the weight to be similar.

I actually have plans to ditch the sunroof on mine, but I need both the money AND a good body shop. Replacing a roof skin is not something I want to be done by some dude with a welder.
 
  #108  
Old 01-31-2015, 11:54 PM
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Someone mentioned above an aluminum roof skin. I think it was actually plastic, but it was chromed. Looked kinda cool, if you like chrome. Since it was actually a skin overlain on the roof, it would probably work very well for someone deleting a sunroof.

Here it is:
http://new.minimania.com/NMX2005_CHR...N_INSTRUCTIONS
 
  #109  
Old 02-01-2015, 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by haygood
Someone mentioned above an aluminum roof skin. I think it was actually plastic, but it was chromed. Looked kinda cool, if you like chrome. Since it was actually a skin overlain on the roof, it would probably work very well for someone deleting a sunroof.

Here it is:
http://new.minimania.com/NMX2005_CHR...N_INSTRUCTIONS
The only problem is that the frame of the sunroof is kinda a structural point as there's a massive hole in the roof, I doubt that a roof cover and some glue would do much. You also have to realize that there wouldn't be much adhesive holding it on as there's maybe 6" all around that is actual roof, the middle of the cover would just be hanging there.
 
  #110  
Old 06-23-2020, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by UKSUV
Here...here's a in progress pic back from 06
Attachment 168987
Does anyone know where that sound deadening material/foam in the picture is removed from?
 
  #111  
Old 06-23-2020, 10:34 AM
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Does anyone know where the sound deadening material/foam in the picture is removed from?
 
  #112  
Old 06-23-2020, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Sam Giray
Does anyone know where the sound deadening material/foam in the picture is removed from?
The yellow'ish foam on the floor? That would be the floor carpet, there's about 6" of foam to fill the space between the actual floor and the floor mat.
 
  #113  
Old 06-23-2020, 03:58 PM
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Light weight R50

I have the weigh slip, my slightly modded(maybe a little bit more that slightly. Lol) R50 with no driver and a 1/4 tank of gas weighed in at:

2260 pounds
 
  #114  
Old 06-24-2020, 06:32 AM
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I like these threads, I tend to weigh the wheels & tyres

17" R113 (reps?) with shitty chinese summertyres 205-40-17 > 18.0 kg


I'm also planning to find/buy 2 piece brake discs (294mm), but they are hard to find. These will also help tremendously in unsprung weight. I'm also planning for 16" Rota Grids with fatter tyres to make the ride more comfortable and to reduce unsprung weight, as the Rota Grids are pretty lightweight.
 
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