I have a 10/03 2004 MINI Cooper S. A mechanic said "the upper engine support is bad". I checked it out (#8 on the chart) and the rubber is failing. My question is if I am going use the PowerFlex bushings, is it wise to replace the whole part before adding the bushings or will the inserts handle well enough?

 

How did you tell that the rubber was failing? Lots of cracks? Thanks.

 

It is most likely failing because it is dry rotted, Split or very badly cracked for a 2004. After all it is 6 years old.

I would just replace it with another stock one. With the new PowerFlex bushing you are going to install it will not wear as fast because you will not have the same amount of flex as your car was when it was stock.

My $.02

 

I would just put the new inserts in. Mine looked a bit cracked up, but I see no problems now.

 

As a general rule, it's not good practice to band aid broken stock parts with performance parts. I always recommend fixing what's broken before adding the tuner parts to the mix. For example if you have a bad injector, don't solve the problem with a tune, solve it with a new injector. The same holds true for your motor mount. Fix it first, and then see if you need the stiffer bushing.

BTW, I like the old motor mount setup, with the dog bone, better than the new style cannister: not only does it last longer, I think there's less motor twist under load.

 

Get the new OEM and add the insert to the new part.

Just my $0.02

 

I agree, fix the stock mount first. This is a very DIY friendly job if you have any wrenching ability at all...

As to the powerflex bushings, I put those in my '03 MCS JCW and hated it - the NVH was terrible, and it didn't do a thing to change what I put them in for. I was oh so happy the day I took them back out.....

 

If you don't do the lower engine mount (torque mount) the NVH can get bad. The lower one does more to stop the engine movement and adding the upper ones just evens it out. Have the upper and lower inserts for 4 yrs with no real NVH except at idle.

 

There are cracks between the larger ribs in the bushing.

Pics (sorry, taken at night trying to hold the flashlight and camera):

 

^ No need to apologize---excellent pictures! Thanks.

 

I'm going to try out the BSH R53 Lower Engine Mount

 

Are you getting the street or race version? BSH.
The upper mount looks bad, that's a large crack.

 

Do it!

 

Another great option is this http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop..._bushings.html kit from Powerflex.

It replaces the bushings in the small ends of the dogbones and you get the inserts for the large end.

 

I have a full set of poly bushings in my car and removed the ones in the upper engine mount #8,it created too much vibration at idle and especially with the a/c on,otherwise it's all good.

 

Let us know how you like it. Considering it as well.