Hi folks,

After purchase I caught on a thread from a different board that IE fixed camber plates will last a year or two then need replaced. As I don't want to deal with that I'm hoping there's folks on here who've put some real mileage on them and can speak otherwise, or offer tips to keep them going for the long haul.

My biggest concern is the bearings aren't sealed. While there's an OEM dust cover for the top, junk could get into the bearings from underneath. Weigh in if you can and thanks!

 

The bearings are basically the same as the OEM strut mounts, just mounted to the top plate with an offset for additional cambers. I wouldn’t be concerned with the bearings compared to OEM mounts. However, the mounting plates are not coated for rust prevention. So if you live in a rust area, you might want to paint or coat them before install.

 

The OEM ones are sealed and these are open, but great tip on the coating. I assumed that, since they weren't painted, they must be stainless.

 

You sure about the sealed bearings?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...o/31352318480/

Those look quite open to me...



Here are the IE version:

 

My OEM ones look like these:


My IE plates are these (and a different color metal, hence why I assumed stainless...perhaps they changed the design?). In your photo that looks like an exposed bearing with a washer on top.





If the parts are interchangable, perhaps I can just replace these bearings with the sealed ones should I have problems later down the road.

Thanks as always for being a knower of all things!

 

Ran them for 4 years on my daily mini through all 4 seasons in Wisconsin. Starting year 3 on the set I got for my 3 season JCW. Never had any issues with them and I'll never have a mini without them.

 

The IE fixed mounts for the R53 come with a stiffer BMW Z4 rubber strut mount that’s been trimmed and attached to the IE zinc-plated adapter plate. Sealing of the bearing is same as stock, and once you replace the little rubber covers on top of the bearing they are as well-sealed as OEM mini.

I have been running mine for 6-7 years, and they look like new. (California car, so no rust.) They didn't tear when I was running stiffer Swift springs with Koni yellows and would hit water-filled potholes hard in the rain, (which OEM did). They protect the strut towers from damage, provide a reasonable amount of negative camber for a street or dual purpose car, and they are quieter and more durable than the common adjustable camber plates that have uniball strut mounts with no rubber.

I recommend them to anyone who isn't chasing points and needs a fully adjustable suspension.
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Great insights, thanks. I coated the metal with a couple layers of primer/paint then rubbertized undercoat to play it safe on Chicago roads, but seems I made the right call here.

 

For anyone interested I ran IE fixed plates on a 2003 R50 from August 2020 to February of 2024. Hard street use, regular mountain runs, 4 seasons (out of Northern NC but traveled all up and down the east coast). 40k+ miles per year, close to 150,000 miles total on them with zero issues and no corrosion. They have a heavy gold zinc plating that held up very well. Rubber never tore and bearings were still smooth as silk when I sold the car this February. They were mounted on Bilstein B4s with Tein springs. They also took pothole hits bad enough to bend a Konig Helium rim on one occasion and bent the actual strut on another. The IE plate was bent slightly on the second hit but I simply bent it back in a shop press with no issue to functionality. IMO they are a GREAT product!