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Rust issues on all front end suspension parts Yikes!
Man, I need some sage advice .Bought a pristine 2004 S model in 2007 waiting for the C5 Corvette to come down in price intending to drive my Mini for just a few years. Well, that was 19 years ago. Since I just turned 70 I figure it now or never. This car has 112K miles and still looks brand new. It is completely optioned out, I am the 2nd owner and have stacks of reciepts. However, I just discovered the front suspension is rusted out horribly. I cannot in good conscience sell it this way. I see prices vary wildly from 1A and TRQ all the way up to OEM. Can anyone recommend a good quality mid-range supplier of all these components? Also, please don't tell me the engine cradle has to come out too...
Personally, I would rather buy the car as is and repair to my own standards than to have the seller do a budget repair so it presents better. I'm not saying you would use crap parts but there is a lot of "while I'm in there" possibilities on a 22 year old, 112k mile R53.
Perhaps give the option: 1) sell it as is priced to account for a reasonable repair or 2) offer to have the repair done prior to the car changing hands with the repair cost to you reflected in the sale price.
It’s hard to tell without pics. Ohio is rough. I am in NY - also rough. The front lower control arms rusted thru. I had it done after the car got to California - not sure of the part manufacturer - not oe Mini. I think it cost $1200 to do in 2023 - 160k miles. Before it left in 2021, I had to replace a brake line to the back wheels. If you are serious about selling, I would sell as is, and disclose the issues. What we can see looks nice.
Hopefully the rust/cancer has not compromised the entire subframe(s). I would doubt youd be able to source a good condition salvage in your area if rust corrosion is that prevalent in your area. Maybe - if it's just the front control arms; You might be better off sourcing eBay, Facebook, or Allmag auto out of Tampa, FL for good used genuine OEM pulled from a part-out Mini.
Yes, pics would help us help you. Once you determine what you need, you'll be surprised at how many of us can supply much of what you need. Frankly, looking at that pristine engine bay, I have a feeling that you probably have some surface rust but not as severe as you might think.
Here is what caught my eye doing an oil change. I believe this is called the hydrobearing (31126 757551) on the wishbone bracket w/rubber mount (31675 757562). It secures the wishbone (We Americans call it the lower control arm) to the sub-frame. As evidenced in these photos they are coming apart. These are of the driver's side at different angles. The passenger side is just as bad. Hope to have more photos Monday night after it goes up on the rack. I must add that there is also a fluid leak as the bottom of the engine is always wet. However, not enough to drip on the floor. A closer look from the right-side wheel well now leads me to believe it is likely the power steering rack....
Those are the lower front control arm bushings. I’ve never heard the term “hydrobearing.” They’re a well-known failure point. If you’ve never changed them before, they’ve probably been trashed for a while. The easy check is to kick the tire on the tread while facing the rear of the car. Bad bushings will allow the tire to shudder from the kick.
I changed mine at ~60k miles, IIRC. Polyurethane bushings are the way to go for replacements. Some people have changed them on the car, but I pulled my subframe to change mine. It’s not a particularly bad job.
The power steering hoses are also a common failure item. They’re basically guaranteed to leak at some point. They shouldn’t get the bottom of the engine wet though. In fact, I’m not sure how the power steering could get fluid on the engine at all.
Looking at the picture, it’s really not that bad for a 22 year old car!
As mentioned, looks like you need new rear control arm bushings and carriers, and perhaps new control arms. Dropping the subframe would make replacement easier. Plus, with the subframe removed, will give you an opportunity to refresh the paint on it.
Thanks for the advice. I found the term hydrobearing at mini-spare-parts.com. They deal in parts, diagrams, manuals, etc. Don't know if they are across the pond or what. I am guessing they are probably using original British nomenclature. Can you recommend a site with parts diagrams and such where they speak American? This would help me get on the same page as everyone else.
