The sharp-eyed may note a difference between this design and the earlier R53 and R56 designs: No cut-out for the oil drain. This was an intentional choice, not an oversight. Unlike the earlier models, the drain and filter are both accessed from the bottom and are quite close to each other, so cutting big holes for each would have weakened the skid plate unacceptably (imho).

The plate comes off easily, so it made sense to make it stronger in exchange for an extra 90 seconds to change the oil.

(Also, it's a giggle seeing my car on the ECS site! She's famous! )

 

Yep, your MINI is famous.