I had an incident this weekend that ripped the front bumper cover off my Mini. I was forced off the road at highway speeds. Pictures below show some of the damage. The front bumper cover needs to be replaced along with the brake ducts (only the section bonded to the bumper cover), lower grill and possibly the middle grill. The splitter may be reusable.

My contention is that 3 bolts per side that M7 Supplies are too strong. If the splitter was allowed to break away I'd be looking at $325 repair bill assuming the splitter was ruined. Instead I'm looking at probably $2000 in repairs.

Picture 1 shows how the three bolts per side, only one side pictured that hold the splitter in place. This is not per M7 instructions. There are also supposed to be screws along the trailing edge. I don't know why my tech didn't install these.

Picture 2 shows that the splitter is a 1/4" thick slab. I wonder if thinner material would offer the same performance yet would perform better in an incident.

From the way the piece was laying in the field and the topped fire ant hill it was easy to ascertain the left front dug into the ant hill ripping the bumper cover from left to right. Picture 3 shows the minimal damage at the point of impact. Note in Picture 4 the tire track at the bottom of the photo. The left front tire left a mark, I might be able to buff that out.

I am thinking the next install will use something that will break away a little easier. Another person has recommended using Aluminum pop rivets. yet another has recommended 'pop-it' fasteners combined with a bead of black silicone sealer where the splitter and bumper touch. I'm open to other suggestions.

Picture 1


Picture 2


Picture 3


Picture 4

 

Really sorry to hear about your misfortune. Was the other driver at fault? Did you get a plate ID?

 

i dont understand what the problem is tho.. lol it seems like your just looking for a reason to ***** about your rally racing experience.

i dont want to sound like a ****, but why single out M7? you could also complain that the bumper skin is too soft.

 

I'm not going after M7, I'm just wondering if there is a better way to mount the splitter. My thought is there may be a method to mount the device where a minor shunt like mine might sacrifice the splitter, preventing the loss of the entire bumper cover.

I'm pretty sure M7 or for that matter Straßentech or most of the other companies that market a product such as this do not crash test these parts. When first installed I remarked to my tech that it was quite sturdy, and this is a good thing. Now in retrospect after having the misfortune to test it's sturdiness I question if in fact there might be a better way.

As to the other comment, I'm not sure where it is founded. I do often write about my experiences on track, those can be found in the Driver School forum if you are interested. I do enjoy these outings and learn quite a bit from them. I assure you I'm not looking to ***** about my rally racing, mostly because I don't race nor do I rally the Mini.

 

That really does sux, sorry that happend. I personally think thats the best way to mount the splitter and the bolts are just right. On the other hand, if the splitter flew off on a minor scrape incident or etc then this thread would be about how weak the bolts are.

 

You are correct, if a minor scrape ripped it off then I'd be asking how to make it stronger. Thats not the case, "I" think it's too sturdy. "I" am looking for a happy medium. I think the failure point should be the mounting hardware and not the bumper cover.

 

Well, you pretty much do, in your post.


Anyway, Sorry Gnatser.

I run the splitter as well. I always thought it was a good thing that it was on ther so strongly. If I had the cowplow dirt shovel experience you did at speed, I would expect mine to do that as well. Plus I would expect the two stainless stanchions to rip out of the cover at least. Even with washers they are a real point load on the cover.

So far, after more than two years, I've had no problems. Also no offroad excursions to that degree.

 

idk, I think it seems like a good thing the splitter is strong? its unfortunate that things break in accidents but if you didn't have as hardcore of an inident and the splitter came off like you said you would complain it wasnt sturdy enough. You could go dorifto stylez and ziptie your bumper on so it wont rip anything... I considered it for a while

 

Dude, get a grip!

Gnatster,

Sorry to hear about your damage. I agree, there probably should be a breakaway point for that part and pop rivets might be the best solution as well as counter sinking them a bit making the material half the thickness.

 

When I was installing my Aero kit, I was surprised at how the front bumper cover is mounted; I remember thinking at the time that it sure wouldn't take much to rip it off. I've just been hoping it doesn't dislodge itself from aerodynamic force, never mind physical contact with something....BTW, what color/year is your ride? I have an '06 MCS front cover in Hyper Blue that is taking up space....

 

without saying it out loud in person.. i can not put my point across..

dont take it as an attack..

and as for the rally racing comment.. i was being scarcastic. u know.. forced off the highway.. into dirt.. rally racing? wakka wakka.

GT

 

Man, I am sorry to see this Nate. I hope your car is up and running soon. I am just gettting the insurance money this week for my "hit and run"(she left her info and it is getting fixed).

 

Sorry to hear about the off road excursion! Hope this was on the way home from the track so at least you had some fun beforehand

For the other comments....why is it that people have to jump to the conclusion that gnatster is railing on M7? When I read his first post it sounded to me like he was trying to find a happy medium on breakaway. I would be very surprised that any aftermarket vendor did crash testing in the MINI space so why take it immediately as a criticism of the vendor? From the way it was written I took it as a potential data point (aka - real world test) that M7 can take back into the next round of product development.

Can we agree to listen to each other a bit first before jumping to conclusions?

Mark

 

While appreciate that a "break away" splitter might have saved your front end (point taken), it might have done other damage in the process of "breaking away" and exiting from under the vehicle. The splitter as cool as it is, is really designed for track and not street use. That being said, no one wants one of these suckers coming off while running on the track and proabably the reason M7 perhaps over built the splitter connection points.

I really don't think there is a winning broad based solution but do share what you decide to do.

Glad your all right.