So, it seems a lot of people here have experience with the powerflex bushings, and are happy with them... what I'm wondering is, does anyone have experience with the BSH lower engine mount replacement, as well as the TSW upper mount replacement?
(i have an early 03s)

The powerflex package for the 03 comes in at $156.00 shipped.
The BSH lower is $134 shipped.
The TSW upper is $160 shipped.

I would love to hear comparisons on these. With a difference of about $140... what are the pros/cons of each?

Any difference of difficulty in the install of either?

The powerflex set also includes bushings for the gearbox, which is a plus as far as I know... Looking forward to hear your reviews.

 

I think they're comparable in performance. I'd recommend changing one at a time, starting with the lower dog bone, so you can judge how much cabin vibration you can tolerate.

 

+1million

I went with Vibratechnics (not listed) for the lower (street rubber) and right engine mount for my 05. I changed them both at the same time.

And I'll tell you - they're really great pieces of equipment - really isolates the movement (I lost a header to the amount of flex I had) - and really increases the NVH for my daily driver. I like the build quality of the Vibratechnics better than the others you listed. IMHO the inserts to me, seem like a "patch" to the problem vs full replacement and I'm not a fan of the 05's TSW design.

 

thanks for the detailed advice. ill definitely look into the VT parts.

i like the "patch phrase". it makes sense. an oem mount, insert or not, is still an oem mount with oem rubber. and who knows having purchased the car at 67k if theyve ever been replaced.

nvh isnt a worry for me. im more performace driven than comfort. i only drive the car in warmer months as well.

i am also under the impression that installing stiffer mounts, will in turn add some life to the transmission/clutch? as well as like you said, the header...etc.

 

Some say that changing out the lower will help make shifting easier (presumably because the transmission isn't rocking). I saw a bit of improvement on launching. Nothing dramatic in my case - even though I did have significant engine movement before installation.

I was only made aware of the need to replace the mounts after I lost the header/cat to the shifting/cracking. That was an expensive lesson.

Unless it's a track-only car, I'd stay on the street level bushings (whatever brand you go with), the track mounts must be amazingly tight - you might just as well make a solid mount.

If you're not worried about NVH then leave OEM behind and go for it. There is no drawback other than a marginal increase in cost. In my case with the fluid-filled right engine mount, I'd expect to replace them a few times so I just bought a good one (VT) straight off.

After replacing the right and lower mount, I see/feel/experience no need for replacing the transmission mount.

Take a good look at the VT's (if they make them for your model year). They're really well made. I'm happy I have them. I personally rank the BSH second after the VT's then the TSW's.

I'm personally buying powerflex for bushings, not mount inserts.

 

im taking a look at the diagram on realoem, and im a little confused. how many mounts are there exactly?

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...66&hg=22&fg=05

looking at that diagram, i am under the impression that the TSW and VT mounts, would be replacing #4... while the PF inserts would be an addition to #8?

and then the lower mount is #11? which VT and BSH make replacements for, as well as the PF inserts?

apologies, im just a little confused now after looking at all these parts that look very different from eachother, as well as the oem.

 

The problem is that you have an older 1st gen and it's engine mount.
They redesigned the top right engine mount (into the infamous leaky fluid-filled one).

I'm not sure if any of the companies make replacements for your model year.
Give me a few mins to look into it for you.


As for the lower;
Yes, it's number 11. VT, BSH and others make a direct replacement for this part and it takes as little as 15 mins to install.

 

For a pre 12/2003 MINI I can help you with the PF or Powerflex mounts and whats out there as well as the OEM MINI Mounts:



#4 is the stock MINI engine mount on the passenger side:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/22116760448/



No powerflex option for that.

----------------------

# 3 Little mount on the top engine bracket:

Engine Support Bushing - Small Part # 22116757369

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/22116757369/



&

PF version in the link above.



--------------------

#8 Rear upper bushing mount. Part # 22116756405

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES41644__ES2004512/



PF version insert

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/PFF5-105/



--------------------

# 11 Lower Engine Rubber Mount All R50 R52 R53 MINIs.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES41645___ES261050___ES2580760/



PF version insert:

Large bushing insert-

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/PFF5-107/




Small bushing-

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/PFF5-104/



--------------------------------------


Thanks and hope that helps.

 

Looking at VT's site, yes you'd only be able to replace #4 with:



http://www.vibra-technics.com/mini_b...d_engine_mount

And the lower mount


http://www.vibra-technics.com/mini_b...5M/torque_link


BSH only makes the lower mount:


http://www.bshspeedshop.com/bshstore...Street%29.html


#8 does not seem to be available from VT or BSH
Looks like you'd need to go for the inserts for #8


http://powerflexusa.com/bmwminigener...-pff5-105.aspx

 

hahaha!

ECSTuning for the win!! I was responding at the same time.

Thanks!

 

Welcome Jamez. Your post was pretty comprehensive also.

 

you guys are great. thanks very much. hopefully this can be helpful to other people too.

it appears that VT calls the lower mount, a "torque link" on their site. im assuming those are the same from how youve described it.

im guna do some research and numbers to see whats affordable. (i desperately need some front camber plates. replacing tires and strut mounts every year is getting a liiittle irritating haha)

at this point, its hard to say.
being that i like the oem look of the bsh lower, and the fact that for around the $70 it would cost for inserts, i could get the entire brand new solid part for $60 more.
having said that, $35 seems legit for the rear upper inserts.
and finally, the upper is where its tough for me. the VT is clearly a superior product just by looking at it, in addition to your recommendations. my only concern is that it is going to be at least $300, while the TSW and small PF bushings would be a little over half of that.
anyway, enough of my rambling. thanks again for all the info.

my last question is, do you happen to know if the small PF bushings are compatible with either the VT or the TSW? or would installing an aftermarket upper eliminate that peice completely? all the images ive seen appear to have that bushing eliminated.

 

I'm actually using this setup, TSW upper mount, BSH lower, as well as Powerflex gearbox inserts. At first it's pretty stiff, but once they're broken in, the vibrations won't be as bad. I don't mind it at all, but I don't drive the car during winter (stored). So it can be a factor depending on how you like your ride.

The Powerflex inserts aren't compatible with the VT or TSW upper mounts. Same deal with the BSH and the lower inserts.

 

so are you saying that #3 in the realoem diagram is eliminated with the tsw upper?

 

Crap, nevermind, just looked at it and it's the older style upper mount. I always forget about those.