So I have one of the pre 03-02 manufactured R50's. I just attempted to put on my new coilovers and ran into a problem. The rears popped in just fine, but the front was a little weird so I did not install yet. For starters, the sway bar link mount is vertical instead of horizontal (no biggie, just got adjustable links). The other problem is I hear that my strut mount itself is different from the 03-02 man. date and forward. Now, my thoughts are that I can just get aftermarket camber plates to bypass the plates entirely. Is that correct? Does anyone know if it is just the bearing itself is different, or are the three bolts for the plate itself different too? I am really hoping the 3 bolts are the same so I can just swap out to aftermarket camber plates and sway bar links and be done with it.

Here are the AFTM plates I am referring to, even the add says 03-02 and up in the compatibility section: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MK1-Camber-Plates-Mini-Cooper-Pillow-Adjustable-Strut-Mounts-For-Coilover-Kits-/380556803678?fits=Model%3ACooper&hash=item589af3fe5e&vxp=mtr
Thoughts greatly appreciated!!

 

Reading over my question, I think I made it a little convoluted. Bottom line question is: Will those camber plates fit on my 02-02 Cooper. Seeing that is says 03-02 and up. Are the 3 bolts the same?

 

I have an early car too and ran into this. Mount holes are the same. Struts, mounts and springs are different. There was a bulliten about this after the redesign. In areas with rough roads, I guess the early mounts were prone to breaking. If a car came in while under warranty with broken mounts, it got retrofitted with the new later struts, mounts and springs. Hope this helps

 

Wow. Thank you thank you thank you!!!! I have searched and called everywhere (including the dealer) and everyone was clueless. So to be clear, since I am using coilovers (come with the small diameter top spring perches), I will be OK ordering any strut mounts 2002 and up right? And they will bolt directly to the 3 bolt holes?

 

I also have an 02/2002 Justa.
I added koni fsd, and IE camber plates, bolted right up.
Jeff

 

Thank you very much!

 

You need to convert the car to the new style mounts and sway bar end links. The parts for the early style are not all avail anymore. Depending on what your using we can get you most the parts used, and then you will only need a few new parts.