when i took my cooper in for muffler work and state inspec. they informed me that oh by the way you need frt. upper struts (guide support) at a total of $667.88 are your car still won't pass. Just 1,733 miles earlier had multi-point inspect. Suspension was checked okay. I was unemployed during the time frame and hardly drove the thing and I wasnt out four wheeling it to celebrate lossing my job. Drives fine, no noice.
How can this be????

 

sounds like you got duked or the multi point inspection was not so inspected. Either way, sounds like you need to take it to a different inspection center, or to another shop to have their findings verified before blindly shelling out that kind of money. Good luck.

 

Sounds like it's the front strut mounts which commonly tear/crack. You can visually see if these have failed - just pop the bonnet and look at the top of the strut towers. If you see cracks around the middle dust cap, then what they've said is true. The repair cost makes sense because the OEM mounts themselves are over $100 and the struts have to be removed, so it will be a few hours of labor. I'm using the Raybestos professional grade strut mounts now which are much cheaper than OEM, but have held up just fine for the last 15k miles or so.

Here's a thread with a picture of a cracked strut mount:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-cracked.html

 

thanks so much, ksminiman & gknorr, thanks for your quick replies. I checked and the passenger side does look cracked. But I am not letting Mini of St. Louis touch it. Not to go into a long story suffice it to say that based on past experience the trust is all gone. And by the way this site is great, have used in the pass and being a mechanic impaired widow who's mini is my man..lol, your appreciated more than ya know.
Sincerely, zarknifrude (Debra)

 

Glad we could be of help This site has been an amazing resource for me too.

You should be able to find a good independent BMW mechanic to do the repair, or really any reputable, trustworthy repair shop at that - and it will be much cheaper than the dealer. I too have had bad experiences with the service department at my local dealer, MINI of Baltimore Co.

Try posting in the St. Louis regional forum - others in your area might have some helpful suggestions for a good, trustworthy shop:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-mini-club-43/

 

thanks again gknorr...will look into that...but really it would be sooooo much easier if they would just wear their white or black hat..ya know

 

I see you are from the saint Louis area? I believe there is a large club or 2 there. If they are anything like our Kansas city club or the Detroit club, they will have a website as well as what we like to call garage days. The club gets together at someone's house and work on MINIs. I am sure they would be willing to help you out. Do that stuff in KC all the time. Again, I wish you well and happy motoring!

 

Well...kiminiman..checked into local club for $30 i get a t-shirt and some othe stuff i really don't need...and December doesnt seem to be a good month for what i need will check around for reputable shop...thanks for your reply and help...already got one ticket for expired plates ! But hey....ain't given up....heck even have $340 in SnapOn tools i been holden on to that I don't know how to use to thow in to get some help...I'll make it....thanks..and yeah tried selling but no one wants even well kept tools if the guy put his name on em....I still love my cooper...even if i can't list all that stuff like you do that it has...it's a 6 speed, heat pkg., sport pkg,, great sound (it's a girl thing..sorry) leather seats..i don't know what else...but she's mine.

 

hey guys.....i called an old boyfriend of my 23 year old...he's a mechanic @ Nissan..anyway...he said he never knew a car failing cause of struts.....so i took it up and i am now the OMG owner of two stickers with 13 on em.....whewwww...i wil follow up on the struts as soon as i can build my funds back up........you've both been great....don't know what i'd of done without ya...am soo happy am gettin vanity plates....oh and by the way ksminiman, my dad's family is from all around KC so if ya see a light silver 03 w/sunroof and "itty" on the plates wave me down. Have a great holiday guys.....gettin my car legal is the best present I could have got.....thanks so very much again
Sincerely
Debra

 

cool! glad to hear another mini is motoring on! will look out for you. if youre in town, please feel free to say hi on our kc forum. http://forums.kcminiclub.com/ we always welcome travelers. my sn is the same there.

 

When you do get them you might consider a set of the IE fixed camber plates they are very affordable and stronger than the stock ones so you won't get mushrooming, but you will need an alignment after installing them.