Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Convertible Braces on Tintops

If your going all out on the extra bracing from the cabrio, I believe there are a couple of pieces under the rear of the car as well..

 

I wanted to do those as well, but the GPs under panels do not allow unless I cut panels.

 

So were the "brace" ideas continued into the R56 Vert?

 

I have them on my car. I can not feel any difference, but I can feel my wallet is lighter & that fact should make me faster. I may wrap them in carbonfiber vinyl for added lightness.

 

Attempt to revive OEM R52 R57 Braces/Bracket on Hardtops

Ok Since the last thread discussions was in 2011 and it's 2016 (5 years later)
A lot of items, model on Minis have come and gone.
Trying to find the Brackets and Braces for the underneath part, has been difficult to find.
I am looking at modifying my R58 (couple JCW), with the R59 (roaster) bottom Braces/Brackets.
I have attempted to find the info on BMW Parts Catalog and have not been successful.
I recall having to remove this from an R52 to install a rear sway bar. These were very heavy.
I found a set off a salvage car, need order bolts, nuts to attach. Will test fit prior to ordering attaching hardware.

Parts numbers below from a Mini Dealer and references that fit the convertibles.

From the site below Mini - Various Body Parts (appears to be an excerpt from realoem)

Various body parts. Fits: Mini Cooper S Convertible | Seattle MINI

The Bottom Brackets appear to be the Same from the R52, R57, and R59 all convertibles


Mount, tension strut.
Part Number: 51617113473 x1


Tension strut.
Part Number: 51617070779 x2


Tension strut.
Part Number: 51617133627 x2


Diagonal rod, left.
Part Number: 51617123515 x1


Diagonal rod, right.
Part Number: 51617123516 x1


Fillister-head screw.
Part Number: 07147162464 ; 07147146368 x8


Fillister-head screw.
Part Number: 07147162465 ; 07147146369 x2


Oval-head screw with anti-rotation lock.
Part Number: 07146957269

 

Adding Rear Convertible R52,R57,R59 braces to Tintops

Adding Rear Convertible R52,R57,R59 braces to Tintops

My thought was to add the Rear Chassis Frame supports (Stiffeners) to my R58 (Coupe), from a R59 (roaster)
From the research and actual looking and purchasing the Support Bars/Braces. I found that the Support bars from the R53, R57, R59 appear to be the same. (verify with BMW Parts Catalog) After ordering a couple of the missing bolts, I found that there was nothing to bolt the crossbar to.
Further research, The Sub frames on the Convertibles R52, R57, R59, have a couple of more items (Braces/Brackets) welded to them. The R52, and the R57/R59 Sub frames have a middle or center attachment point, and two blocked rectangular points welded on the the support braces/braces bolt to. The cost of the sub frame is $95 to $150 shipped, not to bad. Or I guess you could weld some, but I believe it's better to buy the salvage OEM sub frame. I plan on order this piece to swap out and attach the sub frames, so I can attach the Chassis braces. okay Attached is R57/R59 sub frame. Also the braces attached, note the pics are missing the bottom panels, my panels are designed for the bars. So I thought I would share my project and research, I hope that it really stiffens it up.

 

R56 subframe

R56 subframe (to show the difference)

 

Yup. I coulda told you what was different. :biggrin5:

I went the opposite direction... no under-car braces on a topless car. But, a real welded-in cage makes it just unnecessary weight.

 

never did see a date for when they changed the cars to support these (nutserts/nuts already in place) so I'll throw this out there......

09/03 build date-pre-facelift car. and it has the hardware for them--

installed the braces years ago (ty Way)..took 10 minutes, tops

 

I have the Cabrio braces ready to install in the R53. Not expecting any major change, maybe at the extremes.

Just installed the WMW under-chassis cross brace on the R55 and noticed immediate improvement. R55 body shell has more flex due to the huge passenger side cutout (and sunroof on my car) and this mod did work.