Hi guys, gotta quick question.

currently my 2016 Mini Cooper is in the shop at the dealer at mini of Marin. They told me that my motor mounts at 66 thousand miles need to be replaced...granted they also said I could wait a few months but I figured why not just get it done. My question is, should I be questioning this? And why? Because I don’t believe a 5 y/o car should need its motor mounts replaced.

 

Don't quote me on it, but I recall reading a few posts of this happening to others. Should it? No that is a pretty early failure but I'll let others chime in with more technical reasoning. What are they charging as I assume it is out of warranty? Some MINI dealers really rake you over the coals on out of warranty repairs.

 

I thought so. They quoted $900, that was for all 4.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

 

Hell yeah, thanks for the info!

 

Yes it has become a common failure on the F series cars. But don't feel too bad with a $900 quote as we have seen quotes from $1500-2000 from various dealers and shops.

 

I wouldn't really question it. I had mine replaced by a reputable shop that is the only shop I trust to work on my car (I do most of my own work) back around Thanksgiving and it was absolutely shredded. They got the job done for sub $500 just for the passenger side motor mount which the dealership in my town quoted me over $1500 + tax for. As mentioned just above, this is a weak point in the design of the 3rd gen cars unfortunately.

 

I drive like an old lady, and my right top mount was just replaced at 20k miles under warranty. I really questioned this and was not shown the replaced mount.
2018 F56 mt.

Joe

 

The factory motor mount on the passenger side is VERY poorly designed. It will tear after about 20k-30k miles, big or small. At 60k miles it's bound to be replaced or you'll experience rough transmission gear shifts along with bad engine idle vibrations. Do yourself a favor when you get the new mount, surrounding the center mount core, you need to put some 3M window weld and bond it together. It's the only solution to this piece of shtit Mini has prescribed for this vehicle.

 

I wonder if the mount for the new GP3 is made any better. you might assume that with all the extra power, it may be made stiffer.

Joe

 

I can't imagine the new GP3 having the same exact motor mounts as the regular S/JCW. With that much more power, it'll tear it right out under very low mileage use. I'd reckon if we're looking for an upgrade of sorts, the GP3 motor mount will be the go-to option if it's even available.

 

Were there any symptoms your car exhibited that let you to think it was coming from engine mount?

 

Was in for oil change (20k mile service). They told me it was leaking and would be replaced under warranty. I never saw the original mount and car felt just fine.

 

Hmm. Friday last week, I was in for an oil change and after the service was done I took off. Next morning I backed out of my parking spot and then pressed gas pedal til car was going ~10 to 15 MPH and immediately released the pedal. There was "tap tap" noise that felt coming from under the car mid or front area. If I keep doing the same action with gas pedal, then I can re-create the noise for about couple of minutes, then car probably warms up and doesn't make that noise anymore. Thorough out the day it won't make the noise, only in when car is cold. I have never heard this noise before Friday's oil change service. I was thinking possibly engine/transmission mount or front brake pads

 

These motor mounts are known to easily be torn. And if it does tear off, the internal dampner fluid will leak. You can check for some black fluid under that main beam if you look at the location from under the car, your intake charge pipe will be in the way, but you can still attempt to see it. The color of the fluid is obvious and it's kind of slimy so you won't miss it.

 

I live in apartments and any car work is pretty much prohibited :( So if there is a way for me to check from the top with a flashlight then I can look for the fluid leak.
I think my 2016 MCS F55(less than 25K miles) has 3 engine mounts. I believe I know the location of upper passenger side mount, but don't know yet where the driver's side mount is and under the engine.
But a week ago MINI did oil change service(This is the first time I paid for it) and showed me a list of things that were inspected as usual. The list didn't seem to need any of my attention.

 

if you pop the hood up and look from the passenger side under and behind the head lamp, you may be able to get a glimpse with a good flashlight.

As for the other two mounts, you won't need to look into those as they don't have any design flaw (at least not commonly known, yet). It's the passenger side motor mount you really need to pay attention to.

 

Will do just that! Thanks.
I also called dealer and told them about the "tap tap sound" The SA told me to wait for at least 2 weeks as they don't work full time and government may order them to close down.

By the way, I did start a thread about the noise and included a short sound file, just read the explanation of it.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...asing-gas.html

 

Here is the passenger side motor mount condition:

 

Dealer replaced passenger side engine mount, lower engine stabilizer link and replaced/lubed transmission mount as well.