I bought a driver's side axle on eBay that was supposed to fit my 2003 R53. According to the listing this is the correct part. When I finally got around to installing, however, it spun freely inside the transmission.

Soooo, now I'm trying to figure out what cars this actually fits. I've been searching for about an hour and I've given up. I've tried a number of BMW searched sites as well as using all the partial numbers. No luck.

Can someone please help me? The first part of the number is 31 60 7 and the last part of the number "looks" like 207. I went so far as to look at all of BMW's parts listings staring with 31 60 7 (which, do in fact, correspond to axles).

Thanks in advance. You'll be saving a piece of my sanity.



The whole axle



First part of the number... 31 60 7...



Last readable part... 207?

 

I am thinking the R53 has angled groves on the motor side where the R50 has none, which is what the picture you posted is reflecting.

 

Looks like 31607518237

R50 R52 Cooper (NON S) Manual driver side (Left)

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2003-Cooper-R50-Base-Coupe-L4_1.6L_W10B16A/Drivetrain/Axles/

 

That's it! Thank you!

 

Welcome.