I barely drive this car. This is nuts. Going to look for aftermarket. Clearly looks like metal fatigue.

 

Go for a solid one piece design...

ULTRA RACING FRONT STRUT (2 POINTS)

 

Rorie -

Be sure to stick to one with a "straight" piece as the main strut.
One with a bend in it is all but useless as a proper support. This is just a pure 8th grade physics fact.

I put the "Racing Dynamics" support in my 05, JCW.
Actually it's a combination of two manufacturers, but that's another long story.
I looked into the carbon fiber thickness to make sure it would actually work as a support, not just look pretty. It's plenty thick. Mines only been on for about 1800mi., as I have other cars to drive. But in the few times that I've checked on it, it's all good. No signs of any problems at either end.

Mike

 

Seen that happen on some old ones. Its nla on the old one, i would just get ultra racing or another brand, Racing Dynamics was period correct back in the day, on sale right now. I have ran an M7 speed one personally for years. Wiechers sport has a very nice one also in CF. Whiteline and Weicher sport CF has the ones closest to JCW design.


https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-...t_Tower_Brace/

 

I thought the OMP one was highly regarded here. Isnt it true that the cheaper carbon fiber strut bars are actually a combination of aluminium & a layer of carbon fiber (more for looks than rigidity)?

Random picture for R53