Hey all, long time lurker first time poster. I have a pretty wicked clunk developing from my driver side front, it vibrates badly on start-up as well as some low speed driving but at higher speeds / bumps its totally silent. I was thinking this could potentially be an engine mount but when I look up "R53 Engine Mount Replacement" on google it only gives me the passenger side mount or lower mount. Any recommendations or suggestions? It is on a 2004 Mini Cooper S (build date 05/04).

Thanks all!

 

On the driver side - that would be the the gearbox/transmission mount :



This is its location

However, I would find it highly unlikely that it is broken or needs replacement. That is not to say that the bolts aren't loose.
Tighten and check their torque.

On the otherhand, a worn drive axle (driver side) may contribute to the clunk and/or vibration while in motion.

On a 1st Gen Mini there are essentially only 2 or 3 (depending on year & model) engine/vibration mounts.
The upper engine mount is located on the right passenger side (just forward of the strut tower)..
There are a few models that also have a vibration damper which is also located on the right passenger side mounted horizontally closest to the firewall and in conjunction bolts the the upper engine mount via a bracket assembly. Not all models have them.

The lower engine mount (affectionately referred to as the "dog bone") is located below the engine which also attaches to the subframe.
A worn lower engine mount may and usually will cause some serious vibration and sometimes a clunk can be heard at times while engaged in gear or on load.

Those engine mounts are most likely to come up in your search results.

 

Thank you! I'll check the torque for the bolts on the transmission mount, I'll look up some videos on how to check the axle as well.

 

Check all mounts. Right side and dog bone. If they are bad, usually you have movement issues, and clunks on start and stopping from stand still.

 

Check suspension attachments if any work was done in the near past - also the rear lower control arm bushings can make noise, as time and mileage pass.