R56 Solutions for R56 rear looks
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
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This thread has become a freakin' joke and a perfect example of 'What's wrong with NAM' (see thread with that title). Someone comes on and asks how to change a look he doesn't like about his R56, and starting with post #2, it has turned into a fest of unnecessary suggestions and unrelated banter.
So what's left?
1. Painting the control arms to make them look less noticeable.
2. Adding a JCW kit or some other body piece that covers the arms to some degree.
3. Lowering the car with springs or coilovers to reduce exposure of the arms, and change the SUV look of the R56 stance, with consideration of the handling and ride differences that would occur.
4. Learning to live with look of the arms, without chastising the OP for not liking them.
So what's left?
1. Painting the control arms to make them look less noticeable.
2. Adding a JCW kit or some other body piece that covers the arms to some degree.
3. Lowering the car with springs or coilovers to reduce exposure of the arms, and change the SUV look of the R56 stance, with consideration of the handling and ride differences that would occur.
4. Learning to live with look of the arms, without chastising the OP for not liking them.
(wasn't intended that way)... or worded it as you did ("live with it") and maybe make it clear that it was meant in a HUMOROUS manner 
... but all in all my suggestions were very close to what stated above... 110 posts later 
!(Had to be sure and add those smileys here, too... that way it's clear I'm just KIDDING with you, too
)
Last edited by msh441; Nov 8, 2007 at 06:01 PM.
Honestly would you guys rather have a nice big torsion beam in the rear? This is the case for many front wheel drive cars nowadays. I'll take the large forged aluminum control arms any day. I would agree that perhaps it wouldn't hurt if they were anodized/painted black.
for the third time...nobody is talking about the control arms (which are cast by the way). lateral links people!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 1
From: PA
I don't know if this has been suggested already and I do know they cost 225 bucks, but have you considered the ALTA rear control arms? They allow you to correct any camber issues that may result from lowering your MINI and they look pretty sexy to me at least. Although I guess red may not go with every color scheme or be everyone's taste... Check out ToMiTa's pic at the bottom of this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=105322&page=4
I realize the look of the control arms aren't the only thing the OP is wishing to correct but they'd certainly help.
I realize the look of the control arms aren't the only thing the OP is wishing to correct but they'd certainly help.
Last edited by Msteadman; Nov 8, 2007 at 07:37 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 742
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From: Coopersburg (really), PA
Just to clarify, whatever they are, Alta calls them control arms, and so does everyone else. And cast, forged or stamped, they're NOT aluminum! They may look that way, but unless someone has developed a way for a magnet to stick to aluminum, they're steel.
Ok....too many names being thrown around - Subaru guys call them lateral links whil control arms are different (forgive me, but it's technically accurate even on the MINI). MINI technically calls the subject of this thread 'wishbones' and yes, they're steel.. The 'cast aluminum' part is the 'trailing arm'. The GP and R56 gets aluminum - the older cars get steel versions.
I was correcting this statement \/
us R50/R53 owners would love the aluminum 'trailing arms' of the newer cars
I was correcting this statement \/
us R50/R53 owners would love the aluminum 'trailing arms' of the newer cars
with the coop.....certainly hides the control arms...
Nice picture!
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 907
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You cant really judge from this pic whether the control arms are hidden adequately! Its too dark down there! Any other pics?
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 258
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I just painted anything and everything (except the exhaust pipes) flat black w/ high heat spray paint. No more nasty look from the rear anymore...shoulda been that way coming out of the factory IMHO...
Don't hesitate, grab a rattle can and make the cheapest BIG improvement you can make to your MINI...
John
Don't hesitate, grab a rattle can and make the cheapest BIG improvement you can make to your MINI...
John
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: Coopersburg (really), PA
Almost as cheap as lopping a few inches off my shift lever to get a DIY short shifter.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
I'll be darned if I can get a photo to upload. I keep getting JPEGTRAN errors. SO, here's a quick link to the photo of my MINI w/ blacked out muffler and control arms:
http://webpages.charter.net/peanut/
John, 2007 Sparkling Silver
http://webpages.charter.net/peanut/
John, 2007 Sparkling Silver
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 1
From: PA
I'll be darned if I can get a photo to upload. I keep getting JPEGTRAN errors. SO, here's a quick link to the photo of my MINI w/ blacked out muffler and control arms:
http://webpages.charter.net/peanut/
John, 2007 Sparkling Silver
http://webpages.charter.net/peanut/
John, 2007 Sparkling Silver
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 907
Likes: 2
I'll be darned if I can get a photo to upload. I keep getting JPEGTRAN errors. SO, here's a quick link to the photo of my MINI w/ blacked out muffler and control arms:
http://webpages.charter.net/peanut/
John, 2007 Sparkling Silver
http://webpages.charter.net/peanut/
John, 2007 Sparkling Silver
Nice try thought!
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: Coopersburg (really), PA
+1
Didn't think of doing the back of the muffler, but I will now.
And damned if I'm not back on this thread which is up to 148 posts (140 wasted ones, and 8 that actually discuss the OP's original question). Welcome to internet forums
Didn't think of doing the back of the muffler, but I will now.
And damned if I'm not back on this thread which is up to 148 posts (140 wasted ones, and 8 that actually discuss the OP's original question). Welcome to internet forums