Yup..
If it is not already done, IMO do it!
simple if you have a late 2004+ GEN1 HARDTOP!!

 

just to add to the knowledge here, i have an r53 cooper s hartop produced in 4/03 without the pre-existing holes.

i purchased the cross braces from waymotorworks, and not only did he get them powder coated the color i requested, but they were delivered on time and look amazing.
as far as the install, i just did it myself in the garage with basic tools. from start to finish, it only took me about 2.5 - 3 hours. that includes jacking up the car, removing the wheels, pulling down the fronts of the fender liners, removing the drive side bracket and the passenger side ground wire, using a punch to mark the drill spots, drilling the holes, tapping the holes, bolting down the braces with the supplied torx bolts from way, re-attaching the wires, putting the fender liners back up, putting the wheels back on, torquing and lowering the car.

i was a bit weary at first of having to drill and tap holes into the car, but it really was simple and only took 3 hours tops.

SO, having said that, anybody that is having doubts or is interested in taking this little project on, fear not. it can be done quite easily, even if you dont have the pre-existing holes. and if you DO have the holes, just spend the $40-$70 and get these things. im about to go for a test drive and see if theres a noticeable difference, but even if not, they look great and add a bit of accent under the hood. worth it in my book.

 

I installed these yesterday on my 04, and it actually made a very impressive difference.

I don't know whether it is because I have a sunroof or a mushrooming left shock tower (that I need to take care of this summer), but the car always creaked under load in tight corners and going over some bumps would break your back and send shocks through the steering wheel and seat.

Now, those same bumps are still firm to go over, but the crashing effect is entirely gone. I can also feel a noticeable improvement in front-end stiffness and steering feel.

Best $40 I've spent on the car thus far.

 

Hey, old thread, but a follow-up question. Did you use nuts behind the bolts to secure, or just screw the bolts into the metal with loctite?

 

My early '05 Cooper was drilled and tapped from the factory even though it is a hardtop. All I had to do was order the braces & bolts and put them on. It was very easy.

 

Cool. Mine's an '03 without the holes. Looks like I can just drill and tap some and that'll be good enough. No nuts required.

 

Mine is a '04 and it was drilled/tapped from the factory. Some of the holes were covered with stickers. No nuts needed.

 

Anybody have any clue why these braces jumped from $20/pc to $150/pc? I get inflation but DAMN.

 

Scarcity. The cabrio has been out of production for almost 12 years.

 

Yep, they jumped in price, due to volume or a change in supplier. we see that time to time. https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2006-...Reinforcement/

If we find a lower cost solution we will let you know.

Otherwise try to find them used in a junk yard R52 with no front end damage.

 

.