Hi all, I've just bought an '05 MCS, and have a 15% pulley and exhaust on the way. After reading about the hydraulic mounts, I was wondering if I should replace the engine mounts while I've got everything apart? Any suggestions as to whether I should go with Urethane, and also I'm i bit confused on which mounts should be replaced. I'm not all that concerned with vibrations in the car.
Thanks
RD

 

I'd start by changing the leaky OEM mount with the TSW mount and only change or upgrade the others if needed. The TSW mount stops the leaky mess and gives you some performance off the line too since it limits motor slap.
By the way how many miles are on the MINI?

 

60k. I was thinking of doing the TSW mount, along with the engine to gearbox urethane mount.

 

IMHO the gearbox urethane is the only other mount I'd update unless you are open to more vibration in the whole car which comes with the lower motor mount urethane mount.

 

I recently ordered OEM motor mount to replace in my '05 MCSa and I should say that most likely motor mounts fail more often on manual versus auto because of more strain to the mount in manual while switching gears and revving higher (auto does not really allow you to do any harsh things to the engine). I am planning just to replace my engine mount with OEM one, add engine damper and put cabrio braces on (many reported reduction of rattles from the dash). Am I correct in my observations?

 

Not sure about the cabrio braces helping with dash.

The OEM mount will leak again and we don't see any relation to the OEM leaking and what tranny is in the car. It's a bad design and they all go bad it's just a matter of when.

The TSW motor mount is the better overall value over the OEM mount/TSW Damper Kit combo. The TSW mount gives almost the same performance gains as the damper kit and replaces that leaky OEM mount at the same time once and for all.

 

Sounds good, the mount has been ordered.
Thanks for the advice.

 

Happy to help Roz and Thanks for the order, Dustin

 

I seem to be getting a lot of travel on the engine. The r/s mount that has gone bad before(leaked out fluid) seems to be letting the engine slap. However its not leaking this time. Could it still have failed? I know the last time it was obvious because of all the fluid leakage. I noticed that the intercooler shield has marks from rubbing on the foam on the hood. I had the wife watch the engine as I engaged and disengaged the clutch and she noticed a lot of movement in the area of this mount. Anyone have one go bad with no fluid leaking?

 

The Slap is common even with a good mount. The TSW Damper Kits help limit the slap and so does the TSW Motor Mount and I think the Motor Mount will prove to the better value over time. The Damper Kit will prolong the life of the OEM mount, but the OEM mount will still go bad.

 

I just printed out your installation instructions which I'm going to read tonight. My engine is moving so far its hitting the front radiator shroud. Now I did buy the extended maintenance warranty from MINI. If I install this will they not cover something else because this is not factory? I like the design of your mount.

 

I've never seen nor heard of the upper mount being so bad that it touches the shroud. Might also check the lower motor mount too. As for EMW that's going to be up to your Dealer, call them and ask or better yet email them with links to the part so they can give you an educated reply.

 

Thanks I'll give them a call.

 

Less than 1000miles from my warranty limit of 50K, I developed a distinct snick or click sound when gently applying gas or letting off the gas... the sound came from under the right A-pillar. I opened the bonnet and could pull the pass end of the engine forward and backward about 1/2 inch and it was the source of the click. Levering a screwdriver under the top part of the mount allowed a lot of upward movement as well as front and back. It was not leaking... replaced under warranty no questions. Mini of Nashville has really taken care of me on this car for sure.

I just mentioned some oil wetness on the front of the oil pan and they changed the oil pan gasket and got a new crank sensor, not just the crank sensor seal. New free oil to boot.

YD

 

Dustin, I recently acquired an '06 MCS and noticed that when cruising at 50-60mph if I suddently depress the gas pedal I can feel a bit of engine movement. Hoewever, my car only has 21k miles. Would this be a sign that the motor mounts need to be replaced?

 

Maybe, check for wet or dry oil under the mount and then see if the dealer will replace it. If they won't then the TSW mount becomes a great fix. It may also just be the movement of the motor. The MINI motor does move by design, just more then most of us like it too.

 

I did the same thing with a screwdriver and also noticed a lot of upward movement!