R56 underbody panels are VERY similar. They might fit, and they might be cheaper?

 

your car looks great

 

can you explain what you mean about 'clinch nuts'? (besides the obvious reaction to the price)

 

No idea. Thats what they said they used. They ordered a special tool to do it. I think it makes a hole in the car, puts an insert into the hole, and then you can bolt into it.

 

might be the same as togglebolts (isn't that what they use on the TSW jack points?) that'd be my guess anyway.

 

oh, no, they mean nutserts - brass threaded inserts and the tool compresses/mushrooms them on the backside of the hole. This gives the mounting hardware something to attach too. Sort of like a toggle but less Home Depot.

 

Thats sounds right PGT.

 

we use those at work, they might be alright. but seem to be lacking on some surface area when compressed. The underside panel seems thinner than I'd like, to use that type of fastener on. and I agree with HD thing, . It's proabably something "like" those but more secure, he did mention them having to "put some bits on" to attach the panels. Interesting,very interesting mod, good job Bhoz.

 

Bhozar, did you notice a difference after installing the under body panels? I'd be interested to hear what you think and if you think they were worth the expense...whatever it is they cost.

I mean, is their a difference at highway speeds. A difference is feel or noise or anything really.

Thanks

 

At the moment my tyres make so much noise it drowns everything else out. My view was to attach them and they might make a difference on track days at high speed. There has to be a reason BMW fitted them to the GP and the R56.

If nothing else, they cover and protect the brake lines and petrol tanks.

 

For those interested, check out my DIY underpanels in-progress.

 

Great work Joe.

 

These are sweet. I'm calling my parts guy at the MINI dealer on Monday.

 

R56 Underbody Panels on an R53

Part No's for the panels are:

51 75 2 753 163
51 75 2 753 164

You will also need the brackets:

51 75 2 753 165
51 75 2 753 166


I apologize for the crappy phone pics, but I forgot my camera. I ordered these thinking they were for a GP and got them for far less than $100 a piece, but price will depend on where you order.



I had to go to MINICORSA today to have a passenger side drive shaft replaced due to a torn boot and Danny offered to help me with this as well. We went to install these and that is when we noticed that something wasn't right. The front area did not line up quite right. We re-checked the parts number and that was when we realized that they were for an R56. We got the correct GP part number and got quoted $190 per panel and that was the wholesale price so we decided to make them work by cutting a little off of the front like this:



which made it look like this:



Other than the front, these fit perfectly on the R53 and everything lined up like it was made for it. I didn't put the rear brackets on yet, but they are something that should be done with this. Other than that, we used self tapping screws to secure it and that was all that was needed.



So basically this is something that could be done easily as it is not a GP part and won't be restricted

 

i guess it's not even worth asking if these would work on an R50, since the exhaust is off to the right, but does anyone think i'd have a chance with that? i wouldn't mind having my underbody protected and my aerodynamics improved, even if my mini hasn't yet seen a track, and probably won't for a while.

 

+1!

 

No reason it shouldnt. The exhaust doesn't go to the right until after the center channel. Consider the MCS has twice as many mufflers

 

good point. wait then, does that mean the panels just go back to where the exhaust forks out, and they don't reach all the way back? either way, i want them, if for nothing else to protect my underbody when i bottom out (and i bottom out A LOT, my front lip is torn up from all the bumpy driving i have to do) and to make my car a little bit more slippery.

 

mmmmm... slippery...mmmm....

 

This is something I've been wanting to do for a long time...
Homemade but works so far.... I still have a lot of work to do




Here is what I wish it would look like

 

You finding that its sagging in ny places? I think thats why the GP/R56 bottoms have strengthening channels in it to stop it from bending.

 

Actually I haven't had any problems with the sagging. I was working on something else last night and I noticed that the Passanger Side needs to be moved back 2 inches, but that's it.

 

i ordered today the panels (R56) for my R53
51 75 2 753 163
51 75 2 753 164

and the brackets (R56) for my R53:

51 75 2 753 165
51 75 2 753 166

the cost was minor , summing to 111 euros

is there anything that i should pay attention during the installation...?i know that i need to cut an extra part but is that all??

thank you in advance!!

 

just get a bunch of 1/2 in self tapping screws and have a good drill with a bit to put them in. You screw into the round indents that contact the bottom of the car

 

Okay after a long wait for them to get here from Germany I finally put them on with minimal cutting. Now I hope I put the pictures up the right way.