Suspension Cabrio cross braces
#1
#3
price gouging
These two parts are $25 list, and some put together a kit with a boutique price.
I ordered a set at a reasonable price but yet it has been days now and still no shipping notification. You read between the lines.
The truth is I struggles if these do anything to the non-cabrio. I suspect it merely there to suppress chassis resonance that is unique to the roofless chassis.
#5
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#7
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#8
I bought a pair about a year ago. The main thing they have done for my car is cut down the rattles coming from the dash/cowl area. Luckily, that's about all I was hoping for out of them.
#9
Just so that I don't come across as a moron. For the benefit of the doubt of some vendors that has raised the left side brace to stratospheric level, I infer that is automatic eCommerce software at work. Few of the vendor stock parts. The dirty secret is most are dropped ship, or order from wholesaler (MINI USA in this case) on demand. It could just be the eCommerce software just computing the price we see based on cost-plus % profit.
If mine ever show up I will sell them to the highest bidder as each passing day, it gains in "value".
If mine ever show up I will sell them to the highest bidder as each passing day, it gains in "value".
#10
As far as minimizing vibrations/rattles/whatever you want to call them, IMO those braces do nothing. Although I have a tower cross brace I do not know how much they really do other than bling as the brace has slotted holes for the where the bar mounts to the portion bolted to the tower. The process is relaying on 30 ft/lbs of torque to hold the bar from sliding within the slots. It sure looks like the bar on the race car above is a solid throughbolt connection.
#11
As far as minimizing vibrations/rattles/whatever you want to call them, IMO those braces do nothing. Although I have a tower cross brace I do not know how much they really do other than bling as the brace has slotted holes for the where the bar mounts to the portion bolted to the tower. The process is relaying on 30 ft/lbs of torque to hold the bar from sliding within the slots. It sure looks like the bar on the race car above is a solid throughbolt connection.
That race car brace appears to be custom, and has a center support which is difficult for a road car to achieve unless you are willing to butcher into the cowls and rip into the cabin air circulation.
#12
If the aftermarkets were not slotted they would provide allot better support IMO. Possibly they had to build the things to compensate for the how much the metal towers are able to move/deform after fabrication. There is an engineer someplace that could figure out how much resistance the bars can provide with the elongated slots.
#13
If the aftermarkets were not slotted they would provide allot better support IMO. Possibly they had to build the things to compensate for the how much the metal towers are able to move/deform after fabrication. There is an engineer someplace that could figure out how much resistance the bars can provide with the elongated slots.
I incline to think the underbody cross brace is more effective, but at the price of increased risk with road hazards, as well as service access. If my Mini is only a road car, I would not be bother with any of these.
#14
The slotted, multi-piece design definitely compromises the intended functionality of the strut bars. I also haven’t seen any aftermarket strut bars like the one on that race car that has additional bracing going back to the firewall which actually would make a difference.
#15
#16
I'm pretty sure the R52's exhaust tubing is flattened in those spots to clear the undercarriage braces. Theoretically they should work on an R53 if you flatten the exhaust the same way. I just don't think I'd want to do that.
#17
#18
For the benefit of the doubt of some vendors that has raised the left side brace to stratospheric level, I infer that is automatic eCommerce software at work. Few of the vendor stock parts. The dirty secret is most are dropped ship, or order from wholesaler (MINI USA in this case) on demand. It could just be the eCommerce software just computing the price we see based on cost-plus % profit.
Google the part numbers (51617123515, 51617123516) for sellers. The prices at MINI of Kennesaw are still low, possibly because they have it in stock, or they haven't updated their website. If they have to order the part from MINIUSA, you should expect the price to jump.
https://parts.miniofkennesaw.com/products/Mini/Diagonal-rod--left/1388835/51617123515.html
#19
The way R52s are able to use a R53 exhaust is by adding some spacers between the x-brace support and the frame so the support clears the exhaust. On using the R52 x-braces on the R-53 the question would be if the R53 frame has bolt receiving reinforcement in the areas required. Would think that BMW/MINI would have made all frames the same for 05 & 06 but do not know. The black body trim is also different on the R52 then the R53 as there is a cut out for the x-brace connection just behind the door.
#20
This is the brace we are talking about right?
It requires changing the subframe as it has bolt holes to accept the brace. You can see in the previous photo.
I fail to see how this would improve upon what already very stiff tin top chassis. I wager all these are to suppress topless chassis resonance. The Mini chassis is the stiffest for all the cars that I've ever owned. On the uneven surface of the driveway, very often it sits on 3 of the 4 jack stands. There is no change in the most minute door latch engagement when I open and close them while on jack stands.
It requires changing the subframe as it has bolt holes to accept the brace. You can see in the previous photo.
I fail to see how this would improve upon what already very stiff tin top chassis. I wager all these are to suppress topless chassis resonance. The Mini chassis is the stiffest for all the cars that I've ever owned. On the uneven surface of the driveway, very often it sits on 3 of the 4 jack stands. There is no change in the most minute door latch engagement when I open and close them while on jack stands.
#21
Yes but IMO they do diddly squat for resonance. I can see how they would help, but not replace, the rigidity that having the steel top connecting the windscreen to the back end.
For me, unless one is tracking the car, all this extra stuff is just a way that somebody entices another to part with some of the money in their wallet. Most, including myself, probably do not have the talent to take advantage of these types of modifications and then a public street is no place to play F1 racer.
I like a little more HP/Tq and some better handling but only going so far to accomplish. For those that want to go full out, have it, just please don't be driving towards me on the Dragon.
For me, unless one is tracking the car, all this extra stuff is just a way that somebody entices another to part with some of the money in their wallet. Most, including myself, probably do not have the talent to take advantage of these types of modifications and then a public street is no place to play F1 racer.
I like a little more HP/Tq and some better handling but only going so far to accomplish. For those that want to go full out, have it, just please don't be driving towards me on the Dragon.
#22
Something that never cross my mind until now is R50/R53 also have the rear curved aquarium glass bonded to the roof frame, in addition to the windshield that is also a stress element. No wonder the little car is so stiff.
Convertible is very tough. Very high sill like the Lotus helps a lot at the expense DD usability. Porsche's convertibles have a lot of sophisticated structure design and manufacturing, and adhesives play very important part.
Convertible is very tough. Very high sill like the Lotus helps a lot at the expense DD usability. Porsche's convertibles have a lot of sophisticated structure design and manufacturing, and adhesives play very important part.
#23
#25
Yep the 51617123515 side went up in price, the right side is still the old price. My guess is a new production run? The other side when they sell out might go up in price. We have our eyes out for things like this on the ECS side
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ss-braces.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ss-braces.html
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Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172