Are Downtubes, downtubes?
 

Are the downtubes the same though the years? Specifically will an 03 downtubes fit on an 05? TIA Michael

I am not 100% sure, but I don't see why not. I have an 04 and my wife has an 06 and they look the same to me.

They actually did change, starting with the 2005 model, I believe. If you remove the downtubes and look at them, the bottom ends of the 2002-2004 tubes are straight (which is why you can lift the tubes out from the top of the console).

On the 2005+, there's a flare at the bottom of the tube, which is why they have to be removed from the bottom of the console.

That being said, the tubes from the earlier cars *will* fit in the later cars. My JCW carbon-fiber tubes don't have the flares on them, but they fit my 2006 just fine.

I don't know if you can fit 2005+ tubes in the earlier cars, though.

Nice. Didn't even know that.:thumbsup:

Good question... Are you replacing your tubes?

MINI no longer produces the earlier style of downtube any way. I just replaced mine with brand new ordered from the dealership, they had the flare, and fit just fine as far as I can tell. I don't see why it wouldn't work the other way around (older fitting into newer)

-Chase

If you want to sell your old DTs (cheap), send me a PM. I need more cores for the cut out versions I make.

YD

Hey, that's right. When are you going to do those? You were supposed to bring one to MOTD, but never heard anything from you. I am still interested as well.

Here is an odd one for you. I had my interior all apart today and I thought I would un-screw the downtubes to take a look at the back side of the head unit. I have a 2005 and I thought that meant my tubes would be the ones with the flare at the bottom. I un-screwed them and pulled them to the side and tugged up on them a bit and they came right out. No flare at all! When they were out I could see just how dirty they are so I will be re-finishing them soon.

http://home.hccnet.nl/vd.worp/downtube.JPG

upper is PRE-facelift

Cheers

Coen