Whats that plastic thing under the car all about....

[simeds]

...you know the one, that looks like it goes the full width of the car . Mine catches and scrapes on my drive everytime i go in and out. Just got a r56 loan cooper and it dosnt have this strip. Do the r56 's have this strip and whats it for ?
Is the rubbing being made worse by having low profile web spokes ?

[I love MINI, Laura]

Its an annoying bit of plastic isn't it! Mine scares me if I catch it on a speed bump or whatever. You think your bumpers going to fall off!

Glad the R56's don't have it!

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I catch it sometimes on my ONE too

Done it a few time on kerbs in carparks and a couple of times over speed bumps

[:: Jon ::]

It looks like a sort of diffuser,

[simeds]

Quote: Originally Posted by :: Jon :: (original)

It looks like a sort of diffuser,

is it important if it gets scarped on a daily basis ?

[wincakes]

Can't believe this question hasn't been asked before.....cos EVERYONE complains about it scraping!!!

[MINI-Morgan]

I scrap mine everyday on the driveway but I am running really love profile 17s that are worn out too. Its slowly getting worn away! once I change my tyres it will be ok....

[ButtonIt]

I know a few people on here who have removed it completely. I leave mine on, so when people here it scrape they all turn to look at me

[Jordan210]

Quote: Originally Posted by ButtonIt (original)

I know a few people on here who have removed it completely. I leave mine on, so when people here it scrape they all turn to look at me

I do the same But then i wonder if the bumper has fallen off !!

[KPKalle]

You mean the plastic bits just in front of the front wheels? In which case the R56 does have them ... or at least if you have the aero kit. First time i heard them scrape I thought it was the aerokit

[:: Jon ::]

Quote: Originally Posted by simeds (original)

is it important if it gets scarped on a daily basis ?

sorry my mistake... i was thinking of the one which sits just before the CAT underneath the car..

your on about the one attached to the bottom of the bumper aren't you?

if so then its there to let you know that if you ground out anymore then your in danger of hitting the lower part of the engine/subframe or even the body of the car.

Most people as already said remove it

if you do just remember this though...

[simeds]

Quote: Originally Posted by :: Jon :: (original)

your on about the one attached to the bottom of the bumper aren't you?

it hangs down just behind the bumper, so i suppose its attached to it- havn't had a chance to look properly. If its only there as a warning a might just let it file itself down on the drive way until it dosn't make the noise

[NicPlusOne]

I am forever catching mine, I have to do a stealth manuver to get off the drive so i dont catch it!!

[rec]

R56's have them on the front too.

i think they're to deflect badgers away from the tyres.

[simeds]

Quote: Originally Posted by niccc (original)

I am forever catching mine, I have to do a stealth manuver to get off the drive so i dont catch it!!

i've found that driving in a slalom style up the drive stops it, but then i'm at risk of scraping the car on the gate posts