View Poll Results: If you had mushrooming or a cracked strut mount please vote
mushrooming: stock suspension / 15" non-runflat tires
32
3.00%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 16" runflat tires
83
7.79%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 16" non-runflat tires
68
6.38%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 17" runflat tires
346
32.46%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 17" non-runflat tires
214
20.08%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 18" runflat tires
22
2.06%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 18" non-runflat tires
24
2.25%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 15" non-runflat tires
3
0.28%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 16" runflat tires
7
0.66%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 16" non-runflat tires
16
1.50%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 17" runflat tires
31
2.91%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 17" non-runflat tires
58
5.44%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 18" runflat tires
4
0.38%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 18" non-runflat tires
18
1.69%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 15" non-runflat tires
24
2.25%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 16" runflat tires
34
3.19%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 16" non-runflat tires
32
3.00%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 17" runflat tires
112
10.51%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 17" non-runflat tires
74
6.94%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 18" runflat tires
6
0.56%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 18" non-runflat tires
14
1.31%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 15" non-runflat tires
3
0.28%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 16" runflat tires
6
0.56%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 16" non-runflat tires
11
1.03%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 17" runflat tires
11
1.03%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 17" non-runflat tires
25
2.35%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 18" runflat tires
5
0.47%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 18" non-runflat tires
8
0.75%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 1066. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: Mushrooming/strut mount failure data collection
#101
11-16-2006, 07:41 AM
I'm just trying to be optimistic. If the problem is so bad that this is occurring on good roads with good drivers, then BMW should definitely be called into account.
Here's the deal . . . I'm not too keen on the possibility that I will have to become some overnight mechanic and disassemble my car to address a problem . . . which shouldn't even exist. Mini's are reasonable, but they are far from cheap.
Personally, I am not good enough with a wrench to execute the repair or installation of preventive parts myself . . . the only thing that I can do is try to drive with some respect for the issue.
I would much rather put my money toward having mods installed on the car that would provide return in performance.
Simply put, if this problem is vast, then there should be some method upon which these very popular message boards should be used to ultimately force a factory solution.
Here's the deal . . . I'm not too keen on the possibility that I will have to become some overnight mechanic and disassemble my car to address a problem . . . which shouldn't even exist. Mini's are reasonable, but they are far from cheap.
Personally, I am not good enough with a wrench to execute the repair or installation of preventive parts myself . . . the only thing that I can do is try to drive with some respect for the issue.
I would much rather put my money toward having mods installed on the car that would provide return in performance.
Simply put, if this problem is vast, then there should be some method upon which these very popular message boards should be used to ultimately force a factory solution.
I live in SF, drive a lot in the city and have 17" runflats. I'm sorry but I just can't buy this poll. 17" runflats are standard with the MCS with sports package. I bet that this setup is the most common. I bet that people with 17" runflats who didn't mushroom are just as disproportionate as those who did. This poll needs what amounts to a control group. Non mushrooming voices that will offset what is being quoted as gospel in a well meaning but flawed experiment. I'm not trying to be a di*k but reading through this thread made me upset because the data is so skewed. I realize that this is trying to solve a bad problem with this car which I luckily haven"t experienced (yet). I just don't think that this is comprehensive enough to draw any conclusions from it. It will take a much more detailed database. There are factor such as local temperature, detailed spring rates, etc to really pinpoint the problem. Also the prevalence of stock 17" runflat vs modded needs to be reconciled. As it stands This survey is about as scientific as asking people around the country if they get water up their nose when swimming. Obviously, those who live by lakes and the ocean, or who have a pool will have a stronger showing
This is just a general concensous of what everyone has. You want scientific data, start to gather it and let us know, it'll just state the same information, but without the footnotes. But hay, its your MINI and if you don't want to do anything to prevent Mushroomism, than don't complain here about finding it later and ask what to do about it. 
#102
11-16-2006, 09:05 AM
...I really don't think a NAM poll is supposed to be "scientific" [Emphasis added.] This is just a general concensous of what everyone has. You want scientific data, start to gather it and let us know, it'll just state the same information, but without the footnotes. But hay, its your MINI and if you don't want to do anything to prevent Mushroomism, than don't complain here about finding it later and ask what to do about it.
[Emphasis added.] This is just a general concensous of what everyone has. You want scientific data, start to gather it and let us know, it'll just state the same information, but without the footnotes. But hay, its your MINI and if you don't want to do anything to prevent Mushroomism, than don't complain here about finding it later and ask what to do about it.
#103
11-27-2006, 12:25 PM
1st Gear
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Amherst, NH
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 2004 MINI Cooper, standard suspension, regular 15" wheels, non-runflats, and have this with both strut mounts, no mushrooming. I have 31k miles, not that much.
I believe it's a design flaw. Why is that other cars don't suffer from it? And yes, the MINI's suspension is firm, but not so much as to destroy strut mounts and towers.
We need to do something about this. It's not normal wear and tear if cars of very variable mileage and very variable wheel/tire/suspension combinations are experiencing the same failures.
I believe it's a design flaw. Why is that other cars don't suffer from it? And yes, the MINI's suspension is firm, but not so much as to destroy strut mounts and towers.
We need to do something about this. It's not normal wear and tear if cars of very variable mileage and very variable wheel/tire/suspension combinations are experiencing the same failures.
#104
11-27-2006, 09:26 PM
I have a 2004 MINI Cooper, standard suspension, regular 15" wheels, non-runflats, and have this with both strut mounts, no mushrooming. I have 31k miles, not that much.
I believe it's a design flaw. Why is that other cars don't suffer from it? And yes, the MINI's suspension is firm, but not so much as to destroy strut mounts and towers.
We need to do something about this. [Emphasis added.] It's not normal wear and tear if cars of very variable mileage and very variable wheel/tire/suspension combinations are experiencing the same failures.
I believe it's a design flaw. Why is that other cars don't suffer from it? And yes, the MINI's suspension is firm, but not so much as to destroy strut mounts and towers.
We need to do something about this. [Emphasis added.] It's not normal wear and tear if cars of very variable mileage and very variable wheel/tire/suspension combinations are experiencing the same failures.
#106
11-30-2006, 11:09 AM
#107
11-30-2006, 10:15 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LI, NY
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course it's a design flaw. Never have I had or heard of a car that has parts of its chassis bent out of shape by normal road irregularities. It's horse hockey that MINI doesn't offer a correction for this, but it would cost them huge $$ because the flaw and remedy, whatever that may be, is a major structural part of every car.
#108
12-01-2006, 04:43 AM
#110
12-01-2006, 09:08 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LI, NY
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suppose you are not familiar with the rear upper mounts on the BMW E36 (3-series)? Unfortunately, I am. Fortunately, we did not experience the rarer occurance of the entire rear suspension subframe assembly ripping out of the car under hard cornering - which has sent a few guys to the hospital... or worse... Therefore the MINI's issues do not surprise me at all...
#111
12-02-2006, 01:26 AM
Ugh. Well I finally took a look at my MCS (stock 17" Pirelli runflats) and it appears that the right (passenger side) strut tower has a very very faint case of mushrooming. The driver's side looks ok. I didn't actually measure or anything, just going by eyeball.
Bought my '04 MCS used, it was originally a San Francisco vehicle so I'm sure it has hit some potholes in its lifetime.
Guess it's time for me to get some strut tower supports before the problem gets worse.
This also prompted me to remove the 17" wheels/tires, and install a set of 15" winter studded tires. Rides quite a bit smoother now!
Bought my '04 MCS used, it was originally a San Francisco vehicle so I'm sure it has hit some potholes in its lifetime.
Guess it's time for me to get some strut tower supports before the problem gets worse.
This also prompted me to remove the 17" wheels/tires, and install a set of 15" winter studded tires. Rides quite a bit smoother now!
#112
12-04-2006, 05:40 AM
Okay, maybe I should have qualified my statement. BMW and MINI are from the same magical place, yes? It seems to me to be a design flaw peculiar to this parent company, unless there are other expensive auto brands that have these same types of anomalies. I've driven American and Japanese cars for 25 years or so and have never bent a frame, not counting the time I drove my Rabbit into a concrete barrier. But that's a whole 'nother story.
#113
12-04-2006, 09:36 AM
4th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#114
12-04-2006, 09:56 AM
OVERDRIVE
Scott
#115
12-04-2006, 10:05 AM
Let's assume that the greatest number of votes from 17" with runflats are stock Slites and runflats? Do you suppose that having nearly 50lbs of inertia combined with extra stiff runflats are the culprit? Now combine this with a lowering springs of which 99% of use do not include strut upgrade. Now you have a overly compliant suspension with little travel plus exessive mass pounding the livin crap out of the strut towers due to constant bottoming of the struts...
#116
12-04-2006, 02:08 PM
4th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#117
12-04-2006, 07:18 PM
6th Gear
Let's assume that the greatest number of votes from 17" with runflats are stock Slites and runflats? Do you suppose that having nearly 50lbs of inertia combined with extra stiff runflats are the culprit? Now combine this with a lowering springs of which 99% of use do not include strut upgrade. Now you have a overly compliant suspension with little travel plus exessive mass pounding the livin crap out of the strut towers due to constant bottoming of the struts...
#118
12-04-2006, 07:39 PM
Question for those of you with minor strut tower mushrooming...
After inspecting my car, I found that the towers have a little bit of mushrooming, more so on the passenger side. I'm looking at getting the M7 SRPs. I'll have to straighten the towers before installing these, right? What exactly is the procedure for straightening the strut tower? Will I have to remove the struts? Thanks in advance!
After inspecting my car, I found that the towers have a little bit of mushrooming, more so on the passenger side. I'm looking at getting the M7 SRPs. I'll have to straighten the towers before installing these, right? What exactly is the procedure for straightening the strut tower? Will I have to remove the struts? Thanks in advance!
#119
12-04-2006, 07:47 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LI, NY
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My right side tower had minor mushrooming. You might be able to install the brace without doing anything to the top of the tower if you can get the nut to screw down a few threads without resistance. I had to bang mine down just a bit to get the nuts started and down a few threads. Then I tightened them down slowly, alternating between the three until they were tight (don't use too much force). I could feel the top of the tower move as I tightened down the nuts.
#120
12-04-2006, 08:07 PM
6th Gear
See, this is what bothers me. I'm going to try the "non-destructive" method. Since the strut assembly must be off, as I press the tower back down, do you all think that I will be able to line up the bolts on the strut plate to the holes in the tower? Or, is it possible that it could stretch the metal, thus throwing the holes out of alignment?
#121
12-04-2006, 08:11 PM
4th Gear
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bet if you talked (on the side) with most of the service techs at the higher volume MINI dealerships, they'd agree the strut tower mushrooming problem sure seems like something that shouldn't be happening from a top name manufacturer.
I experienced mushrooming on my brand new GP on the driver's side while driving it back from Laguna Seca on MTTS. The combined weight of the GP wheels and tires is 41 pounds (the last time I weighed it) which is not super light but also not as heavy as many combos either.
I took my GP to an experienced shop (in other words, they've worked on a lot of track and race cars) and had them use the "block of wood and a hammer" to get the top surface reasonably flat again (on my new GP).
My '05 MCS with over 26,000 miles, both sides totally flat, no mushrooming, go figure.
I experienced mushrooming on my brand new GP on the driver's side while driving it back from Laguna Seca on MTTS. The combined weight of the GP wheels and tires is 41 pounds (the last time I weighed it) which is not super light but also not as heavy as many combos either.
I took my GP to an experienced shop (in other words, they've worked on a lot of track and race cars) and had them use the "block of wood and a hammer" to get the top surface reasonably flat again (on my new GP).
My '05 MCS with over 26,000 miles, both sides totally flat, no mushrooming, go figure.
#122
12-04-2006, 08:12 PM
Did you have to raise the Mini off the ground before banging the strut towers back down?
Considering the price of the SRPs and the amount of potholes here in Alaska...I'm getting a set ASAP before my car gets damaged any more. I've never had a car that had strut tower mushrooming problems. Hopefully this is the only problem I'll have w/ my beloved Mini. *knock on wood* hehe
Considering the price of the SRPs and the amount of potholes here in Alaska...I'm getting a set ASAP before my car gets damaged any more. I've never had a car that had strut tower mushrooming problems. Hopefully this is the only problem I'll have w/ my beloved Mini. *knock on wood* hehe
My right side tower had minor mushrooming. You might be able to install the brace without doing anything to the top of the tower if you can get the nut to screw down a few threads without resistance. I had to bang mine down just a bit to get the nuts started and down a few threads. Then I tightened them down slowly, alternating between the three until they were tight (don't use too much force). I could feel the top of the tower move as I tightened down the nuts.
#123
12-04-2006, 08:21 PM
OVERDRIVE
You don't have to remove the struts. Just jack up the car so that the tire is off the ground, and then use a hammer and a block of wood to flatten out the affected strut tower. I had to do this on my wife's cabrio - after only 6,000 miles and no hard pothole hits, the M7 SRP wouldn't even fit over the bolts on the passenger side. Just to be safe, I put a pair on my cabrio the day I brought it home from the dealership.
Scott
Scott
Question for those of you with minor strut tower mushrooming...
After inspecting my car, I found that the towers have a little bit of mushrooming, more so on the passenger side. I'm looking at getting the M7 SRPs. I'll have to straighten the towers before installing these, right? What exactly is the procedure for straightening the strut tower? Will I have to remove the struts? Thanks in advance!
After inspecting my car, I found that the towers have a little bit of mushrooming, more so on the passenger side. I'm looking at getting the M7 SRPs. I'll have to straighten the towers before installing these, right? What exactly is the procedure for straightening the strut tower? Will I have to remove the struts? Thanks in advance!
#125
12-06-2006, 12:16 PM
It (the R56 MINI) hasn't even hit the dealers yet. I doubt that reinforced strut tower sheetmetal will make it into a fetures/technical specification power point briefing/dealer sales staff training document.