I emailed one of the vendors here asking for price and availability of the cabrio tower support struts, and they replied that they were only for Mini's up to 2006. Is this correct? I'm assuming they aren't already equipped on my 2008 MC coupe ( presently on a ship bound for California ), but only come on the convertible, which I'm told is the older chassis.

Are they not applicable to the R56?

Thanx,

Bill

 

Bump..

 

different chassis, aint gonna transfer over to the r56 bodies

 

Thanx for the reply.

Guess I won't waste 50 bucks..

Bill in P.G.

 

The strut towers on the R56 are stronger than on previous models. However, if you still want to protect them there are some R56 pads available.

M7 makes a set. I believe they also have a compatible brace to stiffen the chassis. However, they are more than $50.

Robin in Carmel Valley.

 

Well, M7 does make strut reinforcement plates for the R56, as they did for the previous model. However, the strut "tower" brace for the R56 is not yet available. Folks who might be interested in this piece have been waiting --- and waiting, and waiting --- for some time now for it to appear. On their website M7 says that they're trying to get it exactly right. But it's taking a very long time indeed, and you begin to wonder if it'll ever actually happen. It's a pity, because their setup for the previous generation seems to have been very well received.

 

I went for Craven STD's. I liked the general fit and nuts better ( M7 uses factory nuts ). The M7's are a great product, and I think both brands do the job intended, with the understanding that a big enough hit on the suspension to bottom it out hard, and even with tower top plates there is a risk of mushrooming or suspension damage. I'm considering Ireland Engineering's fixed camber plates ( in addition to the Craven STD's ) to help with the mushrooming problem. I'll try to dodge the pot holes as well..

Hey Robin, I hope to see you motoring sometime. When Shell ( my wife ) and I first moved to the Monterey area 10 years ago, we rented a place off of Tassajara rd.. BTW, love yer *****!

Sorry for the off topic ranting .

Bill in P.G.

 

I re-read the posts in this thread, and thought I should clarify my use of the term cabrio tower support struts..

The "braces", or "supports", or "struts" I'm referring to are the ones that originally came from the factory on the convertibles, and attach towards the top front of the towers and the two lower "runners" that extend from the firewall and support the engine, etc.

I didn't want anyone to confuse what I was referring to with the aftermarket tower brace offerings that run across, and connects the top of the towers together.

Bill in P.G.

 

yeah, those dont carry over.

 

Come on now minimust....

I understand that we all want things right now, but reality is a little bit different. We want to be really sure about fitment of all applications so we can have a successful product (like our R53 stb).

It took 2 years for the first R 53 stb to materialize, so if it takes 12 months to get this one right ... I'm happy.

IE. you will have the R56 bar before you know it.

Peter
M7 Tuning
562-608-8123

 

Glad to hear it and looking forward to the day!

 

I really do like M7's cross brace design, and how it interfaces with the M7's STB plates so well. Peter, It was my understanding that the brace is available for the S model because of the S model's higher hood profile and subsequent clearance?

Bill in P.G.

 

As we mostly do parts for the 'S' models, the chance to dry-test the regular
Cooper has not been possible as of yet. With that said I do think our design will most likely work on a Cooper as well.

Peter
M7 Tuning
562-608-8123