Does anyone have a tow hook on their MCS? My model does not have a location for the rear bumper but has one for the front. can anyone give me any recommendations on a good model? I have seen the expensive ones and some less expensive ones.

Thanks

 

Do you have a picture of your rear bumper? I've never heard of a MINI not having front and rear tow hook inserts. The tow hook in your trunk utility floor works in both the front and back? The OEM BMW/MINI are the same. If you want a better looking one they usually are folding-style, Rennline makes a nice one but its on the expensive end of the spectrum. Craven Speed also has a nice one which is a little less expensive. I wouldn't be too worried about the brand if you are just looking for a hook.

 

I will try and take a picture when I get off work. It is a 2010 R57 Laurel Sports Edition. I have a hole that in covered in the front bumper but the rear has no hole. I did not know that I had a tow hook already. I am going to need to check this out too. I have seen some that are less expensive but for some reason the ones I am seeing do not state they fit the R57. Not sure if it is different size or threading?

Thanks

 

You must have the JCW Aero on your Laruel so the tow hook insert is less obvious. All the MINIs are equipped with a tow hook in their trunk floor compartment. Just pull off the false floor and it should be right there.

This is the difference in tow hooks.




The one in your trunk will more than likely look just like this:




Here is how to pop off the cover to find your rear tow hook insert. The little black plastic cover pops right off:

 

Wow! Thanks soo much for the help. I just figured that there was not one on the rear.

Thanks again!

 

Holy crap I just learned about the rear tow hook just now!? Amazing...thank you :tu:

 

I have a feeling this is sarcasm directed at me

 

Ah no, seriously, it wasn't. I had a feeling you'd think it was, but I was being honest when I said this is new to me. I didn't know the rear had a tow hook. I figured that since the rear didn't have a cutout it didn't have one...

So again, thank you!

 

When I ordered the JCW Aero goodies I was already familiar with the front because I have it on my Clubbie but the rear is different. I received all the parts from BMW and I noticed a few small parts still hadn't arrived and I couldn't seem to find the 2nd tow hook cover. I was getting pissed. Then I looked at the rear bumper and got even more pissed. And I asked myself why the hell would they cover the rear tow hook? Before I called the dealer and said anything stupid I double checked RealOEM because I remember ordering what I understood to be a rear tow hook cover. I looked around for all the trim pieces and dry fit everything to finally realize that there was a little plastic lid as part of the right side plastic trim that was the actual tow hook cover. Then I thought wow that's pretty neat and felt like an idiot. LOL

 

Little bit off-topic here, and please forgive the stupid question, but can someone tell my why people want to fit permanent tow hooks to cars in general, not just MINIs? I've seen them on a few cars now.

I can sort of understand if you are trailering a car to the track and want to have something to pull it onto the trailer with a winch, or if you have a twenty year old piece of junk that needs towing every second or third day (I've had those cars when I was young), but on a two or three year old car I just don't get it.

Can someone help me? Am I just getting old and out of touch?

 

If you track your car a front and rear tow ring are required. If you go off and get stuck the tow truck has and easy spot to hook to and get you out or back to the pits if need be. They don't want you out of the car installing a hook on a hot track. Your not allowed out of your car on the track for any reason. Only legal way is to get tossed out of the car and that's not a thing. If you track alot you just install them and forget about it. Plus they look cool.

 

So a tow hook is an easy way to spot someone who does track days, or is a bit of a poser, or both...

Thanks!

 

You are going to see both. I needed a bit more red on my car and the hooks were perfect to set them off. Becareful where you buy them. Some are all for show. I was strapping mine on a trailer for the first time and the winch angle snapped it like plastic. Bought the next ones that were rated. hardened bolts. Only way to tell if they are poser is to push them a little. You will find out fast. My track wet day set up is the same as my everyday commute set up. Conti. Extreme D/W are just sick in the wet and more than enough in the dry. The stickies on a hot dry day are unstoppable on a MINI. If you can drive with your right foot that is.

I was offered a ride yesterday on a professional race team. 25 hours of Thunderhill. Longest endurance race in the world. Honored that they offered but a bit out of my confidence level. BMW E30's. They are bringing 2 race cars and a back up parts car. When you have heard of many of the guys on the starting grid and see full factory sponsered race teams I had to pass. Sure they were looking for cash to support the team. They also
want someone fast who won't tear up the car. Honored that a car friend and racing coach would recommend me for the slot.

 

My biggest concern though is if it will get stolen. Are the tow hooks easy to just walk up, unscrew and take off with? I'd love one for my r56 hatch for that race look, but don't want to come back from the store and find it gone.

 

Yes it is easy to steal. The only way to stop that would be to glue it in. I'd use loctite.

 

just crank down on it .... friend of mine has had his like that for 10 years ....

you'd be hard pressed to strip the threads on this beast . . .

if you CRANK it, casual thieves WON'T get it off

Wanna step it up ... use LOCTITE BLUE

if you never want it to come off unless you use heat, go RED