Any of you fine folks out there know of a rear strut bar for the F56? Link below is the only one I found $308 - $398. I'ts neat looking with the logo but wonder if it's worth the money.
https://shop.mwuk.uk/products/r55-r56-rear-seat-brace-bar

 

I was actually going to make my own. I am working on getting measurements and determining what I want to make it out of. Will probably be an aluminum hollow bar for lightness and strength. Then would slot the ends slide in flat stock weld it together then drill the holes to mount in the location.

 

feel free to share the plans

 

I have the NM front billet and have rear seat delete. I am thinking that rigid conduit would work in the back. It will be helpful if the end brackets were designed to let the conduit bar to lift off to allow for large cargo. I work in metal so maybe a design is in order. Any shots of the location where it ties into the sides? Didn't see any detail in the link.

 

Click on the "have a closer look" it's just to the right of "description", there's close ups of the bracket. I thought the same thing, like using a bicycle seat post quick release or at least a nut/bolt so it can be removed from the bracket.

 

Looking at the photos (thanks) it appears that the mount is pretty far back, close to the "C" pillar and probably wouldn't do much. I have Craven's "big pair" which does help and is noticeable. The F56 is a lot structurally "stiffer" than the R series and is probably why you do not see many offered. There are a lot of choices for under carriage braces out there for the track. It may help on the F55 due to the length of the car, however. The GP, with wider tires and suspension, it is probably necessary. If it is cosmetic only (or a rack to dry towels) a lighter version, painted, would easy to make. Just my opinion.

 

I think it'd be worth it if someone can fab up the bracket. I'd use stainless steel tubing maybe 1-1/4" or 1-1/2".
We'll see what the GP3 brace looks like when it's released although the rear seat is deleted.

 

Most rear bars tie together the top of the rear shock mounts.

 

The problem with trying to tie the shock mounts together is the shocks screw in from the bottom to a welded nut inside the car.

 

What about the shock towers?

 

Found this, they don't ship to USA (unless you arrange). approx $116 This appears easy to make, even if it doesn't do much, I'll see what I can come up with in the next few weeks.

 

https://www.bafmotorsport.co.uk/coll...-f56-k-brace-1

 

I think those strut brace bars went the way of cassette tapes.

 

OK so lets do a 80's rant: Buddy had a Mustang 5.0 (as did I) he put every available chassis brace at the time including a roll cage. End result, car was stiffer over bumps but didn't handle much better (effectively 5-10 cents return in handling per dollar). He ended up with a Vette which didn't need chassis braces.

 

Based on how those install, and where they install, I can't imagine they do anything, except keep your cargo in place. The rear of the Mini is already pretty stiff.

FYI, the rear bar on all the GP models is referred to by Mini as a "cargo bar," so even they admit to its effectiveness.

 

Not sure if anyone else stumbled on this old thread, but I've been thinking about the BAF brace for a while. If the big pair make as much of a difference as everyone says they do, I think a rear strut brace couldn't hurt... I was back and forth, but they are doing 15% off right now with HALLOWEEN15 so I'm giving it a shot. I autoX my JCW, so the stiffer the rear the better. Worth a shot. I'll post once I try it out.