Hi all. I have a line on a set of the R56 versions of this for a decent price. I have the belly pan and diffuser already and this would finish things off underneath. The question is will they fit? Has anyone successfully fitted these parts to a Roadster?

There are a couple of references I found in the search but it wasn't clear if the people who intended to do it ever actually did.

 

Yes,


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...os-only-4.html

 

Will these work on a R53?

 

R53 has there own from the GP 1 for the non mod version. 51757182687 & 51757182688

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...dy-panels.html

 

Great! Is there only one set of panels, or are there R56 and R58 versions?

 

Yes, one version.

 

Are u going to retrofit?

 

Having got a lead on a couple of good threads on here from Gil-galad in another place:

This one
and
this one

it looks totally do-able. I'll post how I get on.

 

Yep , that second one is the roadster DIY, was looking for that thread, perfect.

 

I'll be curious to see how it goes. I wonder if you will need to remove the braces to fit them? . . . I usually prefer not touching those so everything stays tight and properly position, but if it's necessary then so be it.

 

I believe he slid them under ( You can see they are close to the body and not the structural supports) and had to cut out a notch in the rear for the R59 platform.

 

Did you purchase and get a chance to install the Underbody Panels on your Roadster?

 

I had a try over the weekend. We got the car in the air, removed the little rubber flaps in front of the rear wheels as they're in the way, and then removed the inner mounting "lumps" from the rear of the panels as they will foul the centre brace attachment. We got the two additional support brackets mounted to the cross rail.
We ultimately gave up though for now as it looks impossible to do without removing the braces that go to the outside. With the outer mounting lump still present to mate up with the new brackets there seems to be no way to slide the panel under the braces. I tried to take them off but my Torx wasn't the right size and I didn't want to ruin the heads trying.

Question: If I want to remove the braces and not have the car shift or twist would it be best to have the car on stands on the jacking points, or standing with the wheels on ramps?

 

Nothing on what Gil-gallad used during his install to hold the car up in his thread? If the car is supported equally, from a level surface, it shouldn't twist it. Braces usually keep the car from twisting when going over uneven ground or in tight turns.

 

I'm just paranoid I guess. I have a new Torx bit now and after I get a new bolt to replace the one I damaged with the wrong bit I'll have another go.

 

Did you get them installed ?

 

Not yet. We're doing the first few legs of MINI Takes The States so I didn't have time.

 

Ok, see you in Pittsburgh if you make it up this way.

 

Going home from Baltimore so not this time.

 

I installed these years ago. No problem at all. You just have to cut off the rear ***** that don't exist on our cars.

 

Did you have to take the cross braces off that go from the middle to the outside?

 

Yes. They come off then install the underpanels, after cutting off the black ***** in the rear we don't use. Then reinstall the braces. They fit right under the panels, it a very good fit.

 

Finally got around to trying again. I started a few weeks ago, but the Torx mustn't have been the right size on the bolt for the cross brace and I mangled it a bit. Had to wait to get a replacement, and that plus MTTS stopped me going back. Finally got it out with the help of a pipe wrench. I've got one side done all the way. Looks great so far. It's taking a bit longer than I thought. There are some plastic flaps just ahead of the rear wheels that I forgot to take off. Then I had to trim the bits by the middle braces I forgot to trim the first time. Then I got the panel on except for the very front nuts, only to find two out of three nuts were already on the studs on the car so I had to fiddle to get them off. Should finish tomorrow morning, and there'll be pics!

 

OK, they're on! The second one went on a lot easier, except that the central braces are apparently slightly asymmetric so when I trimmed the second panel to match the first it wasn't quite enough. There are three trimming/cutting points: the lump that ends up where the braces come together; along the central braces near the exhaust; and at the back end near the rear wheels, where the rubber flap things came off. The underside is very clean and smooth now, should be good protection for the brake and fuel lines and the underbody. Some pics below.

 

Nice job, and looks really good. Finally! Quite the project.

Now all you have to take the panels back off again so you can clean, sand and paint all the rusty suspension and frame bits!