Without repeating the choice words uttered when this came off my car at 50MPH...what is the function of this? As far as I can tell it was located right under the drivers seat and had 6 bolts in it.


I was just in to the dealer yesterday to have them adjust my bonnet alignment and check my brakes. Not a happy camper at the moment.







second pic shows scale for size

 

Looks like one of the under-body braces (at least for a first gen; I assume a similar brace is on the 2nd gen). The first picture I found on google image search that even partly shows it is this one:

About half-way up the car, covering the exhaust tunnel.

 

Just found this...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...77&hg=51&fg=80

CONNECTING SUPPORT151717037919+core


Support for what? I'm not 100% sure but it felt/sounded like something else fell off and hit the panel underneath.

And how in the hell did something with six bolts fall off??

 

I removed mine when I put on my Borla system, cut a chunk out of it to make the exhaust fit, and then bolted it back on. Maybe your's was removed for a similar reason and someone forgot to tighten it down.

 

No exhaust work done to my knowledge, is there anything else running down that channel that the MINI techs would have had reason to take the bracket off?

 

Hmmm...Not sure. I will have to get under and look. Maybe someone else here knows.

 

Thanks to both of you for the responses!

 

Maybe this will help you out. It's a brace for the exhaust system. Tell the dealer to replace it with a new one.

 

Thanks!!

 

How did you generate that document, do you have an electronic service manual?

 

Maybe I do PM me if you want more info.

 

they may have taken it off to adjust shift linkage...????

 

From my perspective, it appears to be a body brace, to stiffen the body side-to-side, and corner-to-corner, due to the long tunnel down the center of the body. The exhaust does not fasten to it. It needs to be on there.

 

It surely is a cross brace at the exhaust tunnel midway. Had JCW tuning kit installed and the JCW exhaust rattled against it, stock did not. SA took off to eliminate rattle and have it stored away. No handling issues to my knowledge after removal.