I'm having very mixed feeling about how MINI is treating us JCW enthusiasts. When i went from from 2010 to my current F56 JCW, i already had to give up my front fog lights. Now, i'm in the market for a bike rack and learning that MINI seems to have abandoned us on this one also.

Looking for advice. Until now, i've been content with a very inexpensive clip-on/strap on rack for my bike, as usually i only drive a couple miles with it attached. But in 2020 and 2021 i'm going to be doing long-distance motoring,and need a sturdier option. As a back up, i've found a few hitch options, and if all else fails, i'll get a hitch receiver mounted. However, before i throw in the towel on a tow-hook mounted model, i'm wondering if anyone else has done modifications to make that work. As far as i can tell the issues with JCW as is are:

1) no driver's side rear tow hole
2) no threads on the drivers' side bumper, even if i could access it
3) i read somewhere that something related to JCW electronics occupies the space where the MINI OEM bike rack wiring would go to make the brakelights work.

Currently, i'm considering:

1) switching my bumper cover to a Cooper S vs. getting a custom cut out done on the bumper cover
2) replacing the bumper with a carrier bumper that has a threaded hole on the drivers' side
3) no solution yet for the lighting

has anyone else considered any/all of this? advice? better ideas? knowledge that it won't work?


thanks