R53 GP vs. R56 JCW Underbody Panels
 

Does anyone know if there is any form/fit/function difference between the GP Underbody panel P/N 51757182687 ($190) and the R56 JCW Aero Underbody panel P/N 51752753163 ($62)?

They look very similar in the realoem diagrams but do have different part numbers. The only form/fit differences I can see in the pictures are the slotted holes and extra hole (bottom left) in the R56 panel. These two changes appear to be an improvement because on my GP panels it looks like the installer manually slotted the holes when installing the panels.

I need to get new panels and would prefer $62 instead of $190 each if the panels are the same form/fit/function.

GP Panel on realoem:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE93&mospid=51243&btnr=51_6280& hg=51&fg=75
http://gpmini.net/forum/userpix/16_G...dy_Panel_1.png

R56 Panel on realoem:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=MF93&mospid=50964&btnr=51_6584& hg=51&fg=75
http://gpmini.net/forum/userpix/16_R...dy_Panel_1.png

From my understanding the standard R56 underpanels will fit the R53 but require modification. Not sure if there's any difference between the R56 standard panels and the R56 JCW panels (The MCS R56 has underpanels standard).

Group 4 motorports is also working on underpanels for the R53; might want to give them a shout and find out when they'll be available--these will be made specifically for the R53, no modifications required.

You only have to cut some of at the front of the R56 panels to fit them on a R53, I have fitted them. If you want to it nicely you can also fit the brackets (No 5) of the GP but if you do not fit the R56 diffusor they are not neccesary.

Here is my setup.

http://www.newminiclub.nl/gallery/albums/19/36366.jpg

http://www.newminiclub.nl/gallery/albums/19/42819.jpg

To my knowledge there is nog difference between the R56 and R56 JCW underbodys.

I just double-checked and the R56 P/N for the underbody panels are the same P/N for R56 and R56 JCW. The R53 GP is a different P/N.

The R53 GP is a definitely a different part. Not sure why they charge such premium on them, there's nothing special about them, because I believe those will fit any R53 without modification.

When you say the GP panel is different, what is different?
I need to decide if it is worth the extra $ to get the GP panel or just install a R56 panel on my GP.

A good detailed write up on fitting these to a standard R53 would be nice...:)

Not to distract you from your thread though, sorry. From looking at it certainly does not look like anything beyond very simple plastic fabrication at most would be required to fit the R56 panel on your GP. It's hard to tell but it looks like some of the fittings are different.

- Andrew

Dude, amazing looking Mini. :thumbsup: So clean and mean looking.

The GP panels fit the R53 without modification. That's the only difference.

IMHO, I'd either give group 4 motorsports a call, or, if you need them immediately, I'd buy the cheaper R56 panels and do the modification; it's so minor--just cutting a little from the forward area--it's not worth the premium for the GP panels, which can be tricky to get anyway.

Any more people done this recently that can give a detailed instal and parts lost. Many thanks

Are you trying to use R56 panels on a Gen 1 GP or add panels to a non-GP R53?
Penskeparts.com or realoem.com/bmw/ have good parts diagrams.

The GP 1 Underbody panesl are about the same cost as the R56 ones and dont need modified.


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/z/x/223.png

JCW GP 1 2006 Under-body panels ( For your R50/R53 , the R52 guys will have to cut out some of the rear due to the convertible rear chassis additional bracing like the R59 )

#6 Part #51757182687
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51757182687/

#6 Part # 51757182688
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51757182688/



#5 Left Bracket For Belly Pan Underfloor Panel - Left Part #51752753165

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51752753165/

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/44557_x600.jpg

&

#5 Bracket For Belly Pan Underfloor Panel - Right part # 51752753166

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51752753166/

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/44554_x600.jpg

-------------------

Hardware:

#10 http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07119904164/ x 2

#7 http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07119915034/ x 6

#11 http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51711934930/ES2673119/ x 18

#4 http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07146981767/ES16687/ x 2

#9 http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07129905411/ES2675783/ x 4

#8 http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07130702966/ES16370/ x 8

Here is the other thread with R56 ones on the R53. But the GP 1 ones are now the same price without the mod.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...dy-panels.html

Thanks

Bump.

quikmni - did you get my last link ?

Yes I did.
It is nice to see that the GP panel price is now about the same as R56 panels.
I ordered the R56 panels many years ago when the GP panels were still much more expensive. I installed the R56 panels on the GP with just a few minor mods.

Great , thanks for the update, did not know if you got them and wanted to let know there was options for the original now.