Does anyone know what the purpose of the nylon strap was on the passenger side engine mount for the 2002-2003ish cars. I ordered a new mount from MINI and it does not have this strap, but does have the slots for it.

 

It should come looking like this, but I had no idea what it's actual purpose was. That being said I do know that for mounts on Mercedes they do something similar as they're hydraulic mounts and once you install them you remove it so that it expands into place. I think maybe the purpose of the zip tie is to hold the nylon strap into place, but I'm not really sure the exact purpose of them all. MINI specialist is out for the weekend, but I will be doing more digging on this subject come Monday. If no one comes in with the answer by then, I'll be sure to update you!

 

I have an answer for you! The zip tie secures a strap (the nylon one you're referring to) that prevents the mount from separating if / when it fails. It remains on after installation, which you can see from our tech article here. For the S, 22-11-6-760-448. That being said, if you look at the Cooper style, there is not one - 22-11-6-759-732.

 

Cooper S 22116760448

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mount-bad.html





Cooper ( NON S ) does not have it. 22116759732

-12/2003 22116759732 Just Genuine MINI for now.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/22116759732/





So make sure you get the right one for your MINI.

 

Sorry but the 448 number is NLA from MINI and now supercedes to the 732 which does NOT have the strap on it. Obvious it is not necessary as MINI no longer has it put on the mounts.
The strap doesn't do anything on the ones installed. I've seen many of them broken and the weight of the engine doesn't allow it to come apart. Also the strap falls off the ones that fail because the mount gets shorter so the strap doesn't tighten up, it actually gets loose.
So ignore the strap and just get the new one. Or go with the TSW one that is poly so you don't have to worry about it later.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/early-t...4-r50-r53.html

 

448 for the S and 732 for the base are still active part numbers and available (not NLA by MINI) through Pelican Parts.

 

I show both parts active through MINI 22116760448 & 22116759732 .