I live in Chicago where we get more than our share of snow and the salt that comes with it. My R53 is starting to rust at the bottom of the tail lights; seems to be a design flaw since the water tends to pool in there.
A good body shop wants $1000 to fix both sides with POR 15, but who's to say rust wouldn't start somewhere else. I'd rather spend the money on fiberglass panels and know that I am rustproof and save a few pounds.
Does anyone know where to get fiberglass body panels?

Cheers,
Ray

 

Fiberglass might not be good crash standards. We have the metal body panels here if they replace the whole thing, also body shop should coat the backside and treat the metal for prevention.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-warranty.html





https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-through.html

What year are you ? 2005+ you would be covered under MINI rust warranty still .

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I know that fiberglass is not as "safe" but it works beautifully on my Lotus Elise. I have a 2003 R53, so I'm out of warranty. I would even spring for the carbon fiber panels since my car is black and I wouldn't have to paint them ;-)