Ok kids... let's talk about SKIDPLATES!
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: A pile of sawdust
Ok kids... let's talk about SKIDPLATES!
My May build '02 appears to be a bit over exposed under the engine. You remember the power steering fan without a cover right? Well I installed a fan cover off of an old Sun server muffin fan. But I still have concerns about the exposed under pinnings in the front. We can get some pretty serious snow here on the northshore of the USA (Ohio) and I've already felt the snow ruffle along the underside of the car. Not a pleasant sound. Salt is used prodigiously in this region as well. Does "rustbelt" ring any bells?
So, all you old time owners of the new MINI, what's your thoughts on skidplates? Worth the investment? Who's got what available? Stainless vs powder coated? I'll be fitting a Fumoto without nipple, does that matter? Does that help?
What say you?
...Les
So, all you old time owners of the new MINI, what's your thoughts on skidplates? Worth the investment? Who's got what available? Stainless vs powder coated? I'll be fitting a Fumoto without nipple, does that matter? Does that help?
What say you?
...Les
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Originally Posted by moreorless
...So, all you old time owners of the new MINI, what's your thoughts on skidplates? Worth the investment? Who's got what available? Stainless vs powder coated? I'll be fitting a Fumoto without nipple, does that matter? Does that help?
6th Gear
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From: Marsala, Sicily
I bought my skidplate from MossMini for $40 when it was on sale. Normally $140. It is heavier than crap. I am probably going to drill holes in it to lighten it up. I like it though. Easy to install and remove. Like I said.....just a little heavy. They have the aluminum one @ 9lbs. but it goes for $160
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From: L.A ca
I have the Moss Stainless unit as well. It is on the heavy side , just under 20 lbs but at least the weight is down low. The plate gives excellent protection but there MAY be a undesirable side affect. Twice on a hard canyon run in the middle of summer I over heated the steering system and lost the power steering.Now this is in L.A CA and was on a tight mountain road with lots of elavation changes so it was getting a workout. This may have been a coincidence but it does bare mentioning. There is less fresh air getting to the bottom of the motor but there are also less rocks , bricks etc . 
Randy
M7 Tuning
Randy
M7 Tuning
Les, I think a skid plate is a good idea. When I took a look at the bottom of my MINI it just screamed I need a skid plate. Not only is that fan in harms way, but that cast aluminum oil pan is just waiting for a rock or iceberg. Yesterday I ordered one from Moss. They had some that were for early year MINI's at a very reasonable price recently. You may want to check them out.
Edit...Randy did you lose the steering due to the electric motor heating up or was it the fluid that heated & cavitated? One more question...does the plate have to come off at oil change time? Thanks.
Chuck
Edit...Randy did you lose the steering due to the electric motor heating up or was it the fluid that heated & cavitated? One more question...does the plate have to come off at oil change time? Thanks.
Chuck
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Originally Posted by Crashton
...One more question...does the plate have to come off at oil change time? Thanks.
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From: A pile of sawdust
This is good stuff gang....appreaciate the replies......yes I'll be using a Fumoto but I'm not sold on the nipple requirement yet. I guess that may depend if a skidplate is installed. It seems to me the Fumoto with nipple extends down a bit to far for my comfort without a skidplate to protect it.
Keep talking gang.....Les
Keep talking gang.....Les
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From: Berkeley, CA
Originally Posted by maxmini
I have the Moss Stainless unit as well. It is on the heavy side , just under 20 lbs but at least the weight is down low. The plate gives excellent protection but there MAY be a undesirable side affect. Twice on a hard canyon run in the middle of summer I over heated the steering system and lost the power steering.Now this is in L.A CA and was on a tight mountain road with lots of elavation changes so it was getting a workout. This may have been a coincidence but it does bare mentioning. There is less fresh air getting to the bottom of the motor but there are also less rocks , bricks etc .
Randy
M7 Tuning
Randy
M7 Tuning
Originally Posted by caminifan
That is the reason for getting a Fumoto valve with a nipple - to be able to drain the oil without removing the skid plate.
If I need to I will take a hole saw & make an access hole where I need to in the skid plate.Chuck
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A skid plate is great insurance if you plan on tracking your car . We had a local guy go off track, not in a big way but he did not stop to look under his car immediately and drove back to the pits. He did not realize that he had put a hole in his oil pan and completely fried the motor in about 500 yards. By the time those lights go off it is usually too late.With the adrenalin pump of going off road many are just happy to hear the motor still running and the car able to move and continue on.His car was low as most of ours and in the soft infiend even if he had gotten out to look he would not have been able to see an oil sopt. As this guy proved that is not a good idea. Skid plate would have saved his bacon for sure.
John
John
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Originally Posted by moreorless
This is good stuff gang....appreaciate the replies......yes I'll be using a Fumoto but I'm not sold on the nipple requirement yet. I guess that may depend if a skidplate is installed. It seems to me the Fumoto with nipple extends down a bit to far for my comfort without a skidplate to protect it.
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: A pile of sawdust
Originally Posted by caminifan
I was only proposing the Fumoto with nipple IF you got the skid plate. Absent the skid plate, there is really no reason to get the nipple option.
Now what about easy removal of the skidplate? There's been rumors about not bbeing able to remove the skidplate after a period of time. What's the real story on that?
....Les
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From: L.A ca
Originally Posted by moreorless
Point taken.
Now what about easy removal of the skidplate? There's been rumors about not bbeing able to remove the skidplate after a period of time. What's the real story on that?
....Les
Now what about easy removal of the skidplate? There's been rumors about not bbeing able to remove the skidplate after a period of time. What's the real story on that?
....Les
I have not seen that to be a problem with the Moss Stainless one that I have. I am in California and we don't get as much corresion etc as other areas so that may be a factor.
Randy
M7 Tuning
Sorry to disagree with the group, but I think a skid plate is functionless for 99% of Mini drivers, unless you want "bling". I bought the Moss Mini aluminum skid plate last spring because I had my car lowered and I have a steep rocky driveway. It had no problems, but I disliked the thought of extra weight and also I read some thread on here where someone was trying to take it off to change their oil but the bolts were rusted on. Also someone said the dealer charged them an hour labor to take it off and put it back on for their scheduled mantainence...
So... I sold it to The MINTOR for a good deal and I hope hes enjoying it now.
I think the little power steering fan plate is a much more practical way to go.
So... I sold it to The MINTOR for a good deal and I hope hes enjoying it now.
I think the little power steering fan plate is a much more practical way to go.
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From: New Jersey
I've got the Moss stainless skidplate and it was definitely worth the price and the added weight. Mine has several nice big scratches in it so it has defintely proven it's worth to me. As far as the rusty bolts go, yes, the bolts that came with the skidplate were crap and we had trouble getting them out the first time. My boyfriend then ditched those and went out and bought some new stainless steel bolts and has since had no trouble removing them when he needs to get the skidplate off.
We opted not to get a Fumoto because he actually prefers to remove the skidplate while changing the oil. He says it's a good time to get under the car and do a visual inspection for any leaks or other potential problems that you might not be able to see with the skidplate on.
We opted not to get a Fumoto because he actually prefers to remove the skidplate while changing the oil. He says it's a good time to get under the car and do a visual inspection for any leaks or other potential problems that you might not be able to see with the skidplate on.
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
I've got the Moss stainless skidplate and it was definitely worth the price and the added weight. Mine has several nice big scratches in it so it has defintely proven it's worth to me. As far as the rusty bolts go, yes, the bolts that came with the skidplate were crap and we had trouble getting them out the first time. My boyfriend then ditched those and went out and bought some new stainless steel bolts and has since had no trouble removing them when he needs to get the skidplate off.
We opted not to get a Fumoto because he actually prefers to remove the skidplate while changing the oil. He says it's a good time to get under the car and do a visual inspection for any leaks or other potential problems that you might not be able to see with the skidplate on.
We opted not to get a Fumoto because he actually prefers to remove the skidplate while changing the oil. He says it's a good time to get under the car and do a visual inspection for any leaks or other potential problems that you might not be able to see with the skidplate on.
It would compliment your other line of fine bags. 
Chuck
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: A pile of sawdust
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
We opted not to get a Fumoto because he actually prefers to remove the skidplate while changing the oil. He says it's a good time to get under the car and do a visual inspection for any leaks or other potential problems that you might not be able to see with the skidplate on.
I guess I'll do a search on stainless skidplates and see whos got what. Unless someones got an orphaned plate abandoned in their garage.
....Les
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From: L.A ca
Originally Posted by cooper99
Sorry to disagree with the group, but I think a skid plate is functionless for 99% of Mini drivers, unless you want "bling". I bought the Moss Mini aluminum skid plate last spring because I had my car lowered and I have a steep rocky driveway. It had no problems, but I disliked the thought of extra weight and also I read some thread on here where someone was trying to take it off to change their oil but the bolts were rusted on. Also someone said the dealer charged them an hour labor to take it off and put it back on for their scheduled mantainence. AND finally, I talked to Ryan at Detroit Tuned a while back and he said that hes never seen a scratch on any skid plate so that gave me some more reassurance to take it off. Then I sold it to The MINTOR for a good deal and I hope hes enjoying it now. I think the little power steering fan plate is a much more practical way to go.
I think the little power steering fan plate is a much more practical way to go.Well this will be fun. Bling for ants is something I had not thought about. As for never seeing scratches on a skid plate check these out. No I did not photo shop LOL . One scratch in particular brings back the non fond memory of seeing a softball sized rock emerge from between the rear wheels of the M3 in front of me on a canyon road about .5 seconds before it went under my car. I felt the contact and watched the rear view mirror to see a trail of oil but the plate did its job and I wasn't even on a track. That is where the majority of the rest of them came from . Functional yes, bling for ants maybe .
Randy
m7 Tuning
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From: Marsala, Sicily
My skidplate has protected me several times. It takes 5 minutes to pull off for maintenance. True, the bolts were pretty hard to get out the first time and I had to be careful not to strip them.
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Originally Posted by UKSUV
My skidplate has protected me several times. It takes 5 minutes to pull off for maintenance. True, the bolts were pretty hard to get out the first time and I had to be careful not to strip them.
