I'm almost at 77,000 miles probably 70,000 with a skid plate. I've had no PS issues. In winter it is nice to know that the ice burgs are hitting the plate & not the oil pan.

 

can these skid plates be used with automatic transmission equipped MCSs?

 

HI Checkmate 2006,

The write for the skid plate does not mention manual or Auto specic, it does say "all". I have had mine since 2004, no issues, orig. pump. Gets in the way a little when doing the oil change, over all very happy.

One place it is found: http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=87847

Cheers,

 

As long as the auto tranny oil pan is not lower than the engines pan it should be all good.

 

Im getting this one... http://new.minimania.com/web/item/G2.../InvDetail.cfm

for my R56.

 

The R53 one goes all the way back to the front cross-member.

I do like the way the R56 one has an opening for the down pipe. Without that a good bash could move the plate up & deform the pipe.

 

The only reason I ask is because the automatic transmission on the MCS has an air duct that runs up to cool it. I am not sure how the duct would attach on this skid plate. I guess I could find a way.

 

I don't think the duct would fit under the skid plate but if it did you would be removing both,
the skid plate and the duct, to change the oil as the duct covers the drain plug on the oil pan.
I have read posts that say they use the Fumoto valve to assist in oil changes with the duct in place
but I don't know how they can reach the valve without first removing the duct.
By the way, the duct is the air supply for the power steering fan.

I've added this duct on my car to keep dirt and junk from getting in the fan housing.
It seems to work better than the OEM or aftermarket screens.

Hope this helps...

 

Does the aluminum skid plate offer the same extended coverage portion as the steel plate? Maybe a better question is, do the aluminum and steel skid plates offer the same coverage and protection??????

See images below....

 

Looks like it... I have the aluminum and it covers.
Changing oil is a no brainer, only watch-out is to bend a piece of tin foil or a page out of a catalog or something just to direct the oil downward and not on top of the skidplate. I now have a Fumoto but haven't put it on yet so have changed oil w the OE plug.

BTW, replacing the OE plug with a VW OE plug (or a VW magnetic plug, $10 from Parts Place, Auburn Hills, MI) and a copper crush washer can prevent the "swollen gasket, locked-on plug" problem.

 

Just bought the aluminum skid plate from Moss Mini with the 15% of promo code they're running through midnight tonight. Thought it would be a good idea to have with the winters we have in Dayton, OH. The ice chunks are the size of wheels.

 

^

Remember to replace the supplied hardware with stainless steel if you ever want to remove it in the future.

 

I have had both and the coverage is almost identical . the big difference is the less weight of the aluminum which I currently have on the car . It has saved my butt at least twice

Randy
M Tuning

 

Definately think a Fumoto(With bung to attach tube) would be a great addition to a MINI with a skid plate. And with the plate there, the fears of having the valve be hit by debris and randomly let all your oil out should be minimal.

 

And anti-sieze those threads, since the body mounts are definitely NOT Stainless Steel... (unless you've got the rare Flux Capacitor edition MCS)

 

Rather than anit-seize I use blue loctite. Keeps the corrosion out & holds them in.

 

Hey Everyone,

I purchased the Aluminum Skid Plate from Moss Mini not too long ago. Before I put it on, I want to paint it to protect it from the salt and winter elements so it doesn't rust and get all nasty. Any suggestions on paint or what to do???

Thanks!

 

Aluminum does not rust.

I have an older steel skid plate from moss ...Depending on where the holes are I would recommend getting a oil drain valve and a short hose so that you dont have to remove the skid plate to change oil

 

Mine is steel also, and has been on the car since 2002.
I just prepped and spray painted it when I re-painted it in 2008.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...94-post17.html

Starting to look a little rusty again, but not enough to re-do it yet. The holes are lined up on mine so I don't need to remove the skid plate to change oil.

 

Alright, the weather is finally nice and I can install the skid plate....finally! Between the weather, wedding planning, and going out of state on the weekends I haven't had a chance to install the skid plate.

I do want to paint it just for some added protection. What type of paint would you all recommend?

Thanks!!!!

 

Hmm, in the absence of a good two-stage automotive paint over an automotive grade etching primer... I'd say skip-sand it to roughen it up a bit, get spray bomb etching primer, couple thin coats, then automotive-grade spray bomb paint.

Know, however, that I've had mine on for 4 nasty Pittsburgh winters and can still see the adhesive marks where the packaging tape was. Absolutely no nasty corrosion, just normal undercarriage dirt. And it's definitely paid for itself by saving me at least a p/s fan, and assorted other damage over the years caused by road debris and the dirt road to our cabin near the Dragon.

MOST important thing: Get yourself either Stainless bolts, or some cad-plated automotive grade hardware for mounting. Clean out (small round wire brush), then Grease or LocTite (not the permanent kind though) the chassis holes before mounting. If you use the stock hardware the bolts are going to rust in place and be a real Bear to remove.

 

Any confirmation of compatability (or not) on the R53 automatic?
Just thinking ahead to New England winter....

 

bump for TimL
i have an auto justa i'm looking at getting one for

 

This thread just reminded me that I need to order a skid plate for my R53. I've had way too many close calls not to do this...

 

Just resurrecting this thread to see if anyone has confirmed an actual installation of the Cobalt skid plate on an automatic transmission equipped first Gen. I asked Moss Motors specifically this question, and this was their response:

Thanks for your inquiry, 100-063 fits MINI 02-06, 05-08 CONV, COOPER & S . Auto or manu trans


Steve Mendez
Sales Department
Moss Motors, Ltd.
Phone (800) 235-6954 ext 3226

Fax (805) 692-2525
mendezs@mossmotors.com


Still unsure based on everything I've read, and don't want to chance it with a purchase. Anyone confirm yet?