Just got my new '06 MCS a little over a week ago - and have been doing lots of reading on this site!
Has anyone purchased the aluminum skid plate that goes under the car to protect everything, including the power steering cooling fan? If so, do you like it? Sounds like a pretty sensible purchase to me!

 

The newer model cars have a small grill over the power steering fan. I thought I needed to protect my '05 too til I got under there and looked at it. It looks like the fan in the back of a computer actually. Unless you're planning on lowering the car you probably don't need a skid plate and could spend that money on other mods. Now if you plan on dropping the car it could be a sound investment. Just my $0.02

-G

 

I think it's a good idea. Yes there's a plastic guard for the fan, but that oil pan is out there waiting for a rock. The pans cast aluminum & if it finds a rock or other hard thing to hit it will not bend....it will break. I bought my skidplate from Moss. It was made by Cobalt & is a nice piece. Don't use the hardware that comes with the kit. Go to the hardware store & get some stainless steel bolts. One more thing...the oil can be changed with the skidplate in place.

 

There is also a metal fan cover if you want to go a cheaper and lighter route. I have the skid plate, as I am lowered and had a near incident that called for future protection for my piece of mind. Its one of those things that you really dont like or not like, as hopefully you dont ever need it.

 

I have a skid plate as well because my car is lowered. It has saved my oil pan, fan, etc. a number of times!!

 

I bought the aluminium skid plate because I Auto-X and didn't want a cone to damage anything under there. I was also worried about hard chuncks of ice and snow bouncing off something during the winter.

Installs easily in about 30 minutes.

 

I have to revive an old thread but it seems better then making a new one.

For those who have installed these, is there any modification needed? All the plastic bits under my car broke off on the road and I thought about replacing them with a skid plate rather then the expensive plasitc that MINI uses. Wondering if they fit differently from model year to model year.

 

I've always considered a skid plate, but I didn't want the added weight of the steel one. I got excited when the aluminum one came out, but then realized that aluminum oxidizes with salt, so I can't really do that either. Maybe someone will make a titanium skid plate?

 

I have one, i live in Chicago and the snow removal is not always up to par in the alley's in my neighborhood, as the snow ages it becomes hard, sharp ice. The first time i had to listen to ice spikes grind against the bottom of my motor and exhaust, i ordered a skid plate from MossMini. A must have for Urban Mini Life....


Ryan

 

I have one on my MCS did since day one and also had one on my MC which I left on it when I traded it in.

 

I have the steel version. It's sitting in my garage. I actually forgot I had it. It's too heavy for me and want to get rid of it. I will trace it out and make myself an aluminum one before I do so.

 

Mines an 06 & the plate bolts using 4 threaded holes in the cross member behind the engine. It also uses the three bolts that held that plastic piece on. Almost forgot, it uses those 2 useless little screw dealies. It's a 15 minute job to put on. I highly recommend one.

 

I've got a stainless steel version from Moss, installed in October of 2002. It's about 20lbs, but mounted about as low as you can mount anything on the car. It also is pretty stout, and certainly doesn't hurt chassis stiffness.

Mine is all scarred up, but everything underneath is pristine. I'll keep the 20lbs on the car for the piece of mind.

Scott
90SM

 

Thanks folks!

 

Just completed my install of the Cobalt aluminum plate...fairly quick and easy. Here's a link to a post with pics:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...te#post2553571

Thanks to Crashton for sage advice on the mounting bolts.

 

The aluminum ones been on my car for 2 years in Pittsburgh,m year-round, zero issues. Definitely replace the stock hardware with CAD plated or SS fasteners, use anti seize, and clean the holes before threading them in. Other than that, problem-free install (and even with that pre-cleaning and anti-seize hassle was maybe 10 minutes, 4 finding and properly placing the ramps, and 2 finding the $@#% anti-seize!)

 

My steel skid plate has been on since fall 2002. I had the rusted on hardware replaced this year, and while it was apart I cleaned and painted it to match the car:

 

thats awesome!

 

+1
Even if you and your mechanic are the only ones who get to see it

 

I've been inspired by ernesto's handiwork for a whole year, so I devoted a bit of free time over the past week to the skid plate before remounting today for the winter season:

 

Sweet
might just have to come up with a pint scheme for mine next time it is off.
but I do love the piece of mind the aluminum plate adds

 

Minichef some how or another I think this is another change coming to your car. I know one Dr that would get a chuckle out of that one..

 

That is so cute, its like she has matching underwear. But not sure you should be posting pics of her undies like that.

 

Very impressive!!!

I'm going to have to head out to one of your events so we can show off our car's undersides.

 

I am contemplating getting a skid plate myself. I just replaced the PS pump and fan and do not want to go thru that work again. Has anyone who put on a skid plate had any additional issues with the PS pump?
Given that I live out in the hilly country area of PA where the roads can be pretty nasty, I want to protect myself from ever having to replace that oil pan.