Okay final total with shipping about $183.00 plus the bottom of the car looks much nicer even if it doesn't do anything else. :lol: Pretty quick and simple job too.
They certainly help to 'sled' over snow lol. They come stock with the Factory Aero i have no clue if they have helped aerodynamically, though on highways i get 40 mpg consistantly
While installing these bits and laying under the MINI..... I've come to realize that the people at MINI that designed the aero kit were also interested in improving the aerodynamics of the underside of the vehicle as part of the total package. They certainly could have stopped short and only done the parts that were visible, as many car companies do today. There is a lot of surface area and pockets under the floor pan that can trap the air between the road and the underside of the MINI. Any time you can smooth over the underside of the MINI, you will be improving the performance of the vehicle. I feel pretty good about spending this $180.00 (even without supporting wind tunnel testing).
Not completely finished. I just saw Aaron and picked up the last two parts I missed on the original order. The wife is out of town next weekend (more horse stuff), so I'll finish up then. It's pretty cool how all of the attachment points are already on the MINI, so it's just a matter of aligning them with the holes in the panels and screwing on the 20 plastic nuts.
I had to go check my wife's 09 MCS....yep you right They really don't interest me but......her aluminum rear trailing arms....I have been trying to figure out how to swap them out with my car without her knowing :idea: :lol:
I agree Chuck! Mine are all installed and it looks great. What was the part numbers of the last 2 pieces?
Ha..... It turns out they weren't needed, as the two parts are already on the MINI. The description for the two extra parts was "Underfloor Coating". Oh well they were only $14.00 each, so no big deal.:incazzato: Now here is the interesting thing about these panels (there is one on each side of the MINI). It has a small locking tab door flap. I read about these things somewhere. They are a secret hiding spot for small things. You can hide your keys or whatever if you are out jogging and don't want to carry them with you. Just don't let anyone see you doing it. So run out there now and check it out. It's just in front of the rear tire. Pretty cool eh?
Thanks Chuck! Those are the ones I found too...on my car and in the drawings. I had actually ordered them and then looked and saw them already on my mini. I was able to cancel the order though which was a good thing. You actually don't use those or the L shaped rubber parts when you install the new panels. At least I could not make them work anywhere. :lol:
If you go to the M/A library section on owners manual. Open to page 10 of "The Unauthorized Owner's Manual" and you can read all about the secret spot. Ha Ha..... I keep finding out I don't completely know everything about my MINI.
Thanks for the visual. I read that in the Unouthorized Manual before my car arrived and forgot to look for it. As soon as it stops raining I have go and look under the car. Jim
Did those end up being the two parts that you ordered, but didn't need? If so, is this list correct then? HEX BOLT (QTY 2) Part: 07119904042 Plastic Rivet - Used to hold the heat insulation to the body (QTY 2) Part: 07130702966 Hex Bolt With Washer - M6X25 (QTY 2) Part: 07147117693 PLASTIC NUT (QTY 20) Part: 51161943122 SCREW (QTY 2) Part: 51712752360 UNDERSIDE PANELING Part: 51752753163 UNDERSIDE PANELING Part: 51752753164
Chuck, Does the panel kit extend to the rear bumper covering up that large gap behind the rear bumper?
Yes, your list is correct for the parts you noted. And yes, you do need the two special hanger brackets (51752753165, 51752753166). Nothing else is needed. Except a lift would have been nice. I did manage to do this by jacking up one side and putting blocks under the wheels for safety. Suggestion; Everything lines up nice with the threaded studs on the underside of the floor pan. I suggest you get the front attached first then loosely attach the plastic nuts towards the outside edge of the car (leave the set running along the exhaust un-attached, as they don't allow front to back movement). Then attach the two metal brackets with the 6M bolts to the rear subframe and pull the paneling rearward for their attachment points. Then finally attach the plastic nut for the run along the exhaust. They are the tight ones and they sort of form around the stud (just smack them on with the ball of your hand to get the stud through the hole and attach the plastic nut). You will notice the opening for these is a little different than the others. Also, don't over torque the nuts, they are only plastic. They self sacrifice so you don't strip the factory studs.