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Having recently replaced the front control arm bushings on my R56 with powerflex, I'm familiar with the size and shape, those don't look right for the Gen2 MINI. Zooming in and squinting at the label, I think it says R50, R53 which is Gen1. Compare the pictures on the amazon ad to realoem.com, one control arm picture is from the R50/R53, the other is R56 etc.
Looks to me like the ad is wrong, those are R50/R53 parts, not R56/R55 etc.
I think they are showing both controls arms to show compatibility with both.
i have a powerflex gen2 kit in hand so when these arrive I will compare.
These are an interesting design in that the inner part of the bushing where the control arm slides in is round as opposed to hex on oem.
According to Bilstein, Mini comissiened them to build a higher performance lower control arm busing that was to be sold through the dealers. Bilstein knows their suspension and if it’s made by them it will be great quality.
My guess is they didn’t sell many as no one seems to know about them. Now they are being liquidated on amazon for eBay.
These Bilstein bushings are also being advertised for Bmw and Mazda as well that have similar housings.
Does any one know what the difference is between Gen1 and Gen 2 lower control arm busing housings?
I know the gen 1 lower control arm has a bolt that goes through one end of the busing into the hex end of the arm where the gen2 does not.
For the measly $23, I’m going to investigate these at an option and hold off puting in the powerflex.
I also believe these were deisigned for ease of installation once the old bushings are removed.
Insuspect these simply slide into the housing , then the controll arm is inserted, then the 2 plates on either side of the busing are tightented to compress the bushing to lock it in place ....speculating until I get the instructions. Concept makes sense.
Powerflex has ridges or lips to lock it in place on the housing.
Folks - I just wanted to close the loop on this post. I ordered these on Amazon and confirmed with Bilstien they were a legitimate part made for Mini.
That said, the product was shipped but I wasn’t provided a tracking number - upon requesting the tracking number on 2 occasions (Amazon also stepped in), they refunded my order stating FedEx lost it. Amazon then also stated the vendor changed the status to “no longer available “.
Very frustraing experience as I was looking forward to examining these bushings as a potential alternative.
That said, I’m going to move ahead with getting my powerflex bushings installed.
