Moderator Please sticky

Hi all,

I am starting this thread to inform the uninformed mini owners about a serious defect in all r50/53/56 mini coopers S and non S-models called "MUSHROOMING".

I understand that many members are already aware of this issue, but please read on anyway.

I have also realized that SEARCH on the topic of "mushrooming, strut tower damage, etc" yields a multitude of random posts with no consolidated information detailing Diagnosis, DIY's, Prevention, and Repair.

If you haven't already heard of Mushrooming. Please read here for technial information.

Please click here for my terrible experience with BMW/mini/dealer

Please click here & here for other mushroom horror stories.

Please check out M7plates and Cravenspeed STD for possible preventatives.

Diagnosis is fairly simple.

If you have had or are currently dealing with any Strut tower/torn bushing damage/repair please participate in this mushroom poll.





Please keep your comments serious and in reference to information/questions regarding this issue. Thanks in advance.

 

This is a very old subject, that has been discussed on NAM from pretty much the start of the website. Certainly, the past two years I've been on here.

Perhaps you should do a search?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...light=mushroom

 

+1

this has been one of THE most discussed/posted topic since a long time. thanks for the tip

 

yea this topic has been pretty much discussed ad nauseum....the horse has been beaten...revived...and beaten again

 

If you clicked my last link you would know that it is the same as the one you posted. I have searched
I am not a forum noob. I am simply not active here as it is my wife's car. I am a long standing participant/member on e46 fanatics and e90 post

I have done the search and what I have found is the following:

No permanent post sticky
No info consolidation

Just tons of random threads with alot of effort required to find pics, diagnosis tutorials, prevention parts and/or DIY repairs.

Pretty irresponsible IMO. In addition There are a multitude of posts but no consolidation. Just trying to bring all info together in one section.

 

Well, the link you've posted is in fact a sticky -- which does provide a discussion, or at least a warning, of the issue . . . I think what people are saying is: We don't need another sticky on the one issue.

 

Are you a moderator? Do you have mushrooming? Did you repair your car?

 

If you want a post to be stickied, submit it for consideration with the Report Post feature (the warning triangle).

 

First of all, relax . . . take a deep breath . . . or count to 10.
No, I am not. You've posted your opinion that a sticky is needed, and I along with others are merely pointing out ours: nope, there's already one there.

Nope, read about it on NAM and got the M7 STB, which I am very happy with.

 

I apologize for seeming angry. Not trying to hush your opinion

I understand that there are alot of posts regarding this subject, but after recently going thru a long and drawn out warranty/repair process which ranged from a dealer quoted $2k to $350 with a local mini guru, I think a thread will all information would be extremely beneficial to the mini community here @ NAM.

My experience as a casual NAM reader didn't take me across a mushroom thread or prompt me to do a search.

I know there is a thread already sticked in ref to how damage occurred and a poll regarding wheel size/suspension specs. But this is different and enables a must read for new members and can possibly help members/visitors avoid a costly repair.

 

^ Fair enough.
And I, as I'm sure is true of others, do not intend to undermine the issue.
(I'll be somewhat on topic now)
The fact that there are many threads and many stories about people who have experienced this only serves to show how appalling it is that MINI has done nothing to rectify what is obviously a design flaw. It still amazes me that the only solution is for owners to buy a third party fix to the insufficient standard support.
Especially since this could be a safety issue (unlike other BMW-ignored problems like the 5 window motors to have already failed in my e46).

I know this is after-the-fact for you, but for others:
here is a current discussion of possible preventive solutions -- such as the M7 and Craven, but also camber plates:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...99#post2188899

 

simple fix to the mushroom:

http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...products_id=29

best $200 i ever spent

 

lulz at kel

 

m7 = good stuff

 

A "fix to the mushroom" implies that the M7 STB transforms a mushroomed strut tower into a non-mushroomed strut tower. I does not do that. The M7 instructions suggest that if you already have a mushroom problem, you need to jack up the front of the car and use a 2x4 and a hammer to take the mushroom out, before you install the STB. Not a great "fix" IMHO...

 

I thought this issue only affects the 1st gen. I haven't seen any post from R56 owners with this issue.

 

If BMW can turn a deaf ear to Z8 mushrooming, there ain't no way they're going to admit that's an issue for Mini's.

The roads in Munich must be smooth as glass.

 

I haven't heard of any R56 owners with this issue either. In researching strut tower reinforcement plates for a friend of mine's R53, I found that minimania sells strut tower plates for the R56, although I've never heard of the problem on a R56.

 

Can we et some pics or an easy diagnosis link. I came across one where someone used a ruler on top of the stut tower to confirm the degree of bulging, but I can't remember where it is.

I came across this thread and thought it was a more exacting method for repair over the "smash a 2x4 with a 5 lb sledge" method. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mini05s...n/photostream/

 

the diagnosis is extremely simple. if the top and broad/open surface of the strut tower isn't 100% perfectly flat, mushrooming has started. hence the straight edge/ruler test. if it's very minor, then the m7 bar *can* be fitted onto it w/o beating it down. i've seen cases where it's really bulging up, and obviously need some hammering. it's easy to see in person, but hard to illustrate in photos due to angles and lighting, etc

as far as i know this has been quite common in bmw's. for some reason they chose to ignore it

 

True -- all of these products are "prevention" rather than "fixes"
the fix? . . . a hammer

 

ANOTHER thread on mushrooming!

And for completeness, your first post should include camber plates as a preventitive, as well as taller tires on smaller wheels.

FWIW, there are repair how tos all over the place.

And this is consolidated just like all the really excellent info here on NAM. Burried under tons of really usefull threads like "What's your post count" and "what color is the name of your Mini?"

Matt

 

OK, what does "mushrooming" hurt? Does it affect the driveability, shock effectiveness, or cause steering binding? Or is it just an appearance thing?

My '03 MCS JCW has 56K with no signs of this effect, FWIW......

 

You could also add these mushroom plates to the list of *fixes*:
http://vipcustomparts.com/minicooperparts.htm

 

nice! glad to see more options. I'm still rolling along with my M7's. holding up just fine after 16K miles.