Mini GP - replacement Allen key/security bolts for fittings

[Pip1968]

Has anyone replaced any of the security bolts or hex/Allen key nuts on their Mini?

I lifted the boot the other day on my 2006 Mini GP and saw the nuts holding the roof spoiler in place are very badly rusted. From memory one appears to be a security nut and the other is a hexagonal nut.

I know when I fold the mirrors that these too have rusted although not quite as badly as the spoiler ones.

Any help appreciated - stainless steel or plain steel will be fine. Failing that I am off to the 'Stealers'

Pip

[MDifficult]

IMHO if it's holding something where strength is critical (example: brake callipers) then I always want either dealer or very reputable source to ensure the fixing is fit for purpose. Safety matters.

If it's holding on trim, a spoiler, or wing mirror, then I usually remove the bolt, measure up (not hard, nearly always standard sizes for this stuff, shared across BMW and MINI) and then find exactly what I want in Stainless on eBay etc. Again, I tend to pay a little more for a UK-based supplier with a good reputation to make sure I'm actually getting what I pay for, but we're talking a few pennies more.

Hope that helps?

[Pip1968]

Thank you. Who are the UK suppliers on eBay or elsewhere? I assumed it was always made in China anyway but always try and buy British even if you pay a bit more.

Pip

[MDifficult]

Almost certainly all made in China I would imagine! I use UK based suppliers because it's quicker, the customer service is immeasurably better and there's less chance of the bolt saying it's a certain specification but actually being made of warm cheese

Two suppliers I've used before on eBay are Bolt World and Kays (Kayfast1). Be sure you're ordering the right thing though, so look at the markings on the heads, and measure carefully - don't go by the pictures.

[Pip1968]

I will give them a go. Thanks again.

Pip

[MDifficult]

Pip1968 said:

I will give them a go. Thanks again.

Pip

No worries - I should have said though that it’s always worth checking with BMW/MINI - sometimes the bolts and stuff can be pennies.

[csd19]

RealOEM.com is useful for identifying screw lengths and specs - your GP will be an R53 if it's 2006?

The mirror details are here: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=RE93...

It has details for the screws with part nos but it only shows full details for part no 5 on the drawing, listed as "Fillister-head screw - M6X65 -8.8- ZNS3".

I'd have a look on ebay for the fixings, tend to find a lot of (claimed) genuine bolts on there.

[Pip1968]

Well I got hold of some stainless steel hex/Allen key bolts from fleabay. That was the easy bit. Of the four bolts that hold the CF spoiler top plate in position only two came out with brute force. The other two were so badly rusted they required the house of the Dremmel to cut a screwdriver slot into the head. The last one required drilling and re-tapping.

They do look good when I open the boot now although at the time it was fast becoming a job I wish I had not started.

I did look at the mirror bolts too and may well replace these although I have just greased the threads for the time being.

Pip

[Leins]

I’ve just replaced mine too, and went for a stainless steel pack from a UK eBay seller. They seem fine quality, and look an awful lot better than the old rusty ones now