main concerned area. There is a hole on one side... haha
Hi everyone, I am new to the forum. I have a 2009 Mini Cooper S. Did some general work (alternator, belt, tensioner, oil filter housing, etc.) on it over the holidays and noticed a lot of rust and degradation on the subframe. I was wondering if anyone knows the general cost to replace the entire front subframe at a shop? Looked up the part and it seems like it ranges from ~$500-$1000 depending on condition. Assuming with labor it would be upper $3000??

Also any local recommendations I am located in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Love the car, but has its challenges when working on maintenance.

Thank you everyone! Attached a quick photo of what I am referring to haha...

 

If you've done the other work you should be able to change out the subframe yourself and save a bunch of money. I can get the subframe off my gen 1 MINI in a couple hours. It shouldn't be that different with the gen 2? There are YouTube videos showing the process.

 

Thank you for your response. Yes, I thought about doing it myself, but I haven't worked on suspension/frame work before. I wasn't sure if all the rust is a can of worms and a shop would be able to tackle this better than myself.

 

There is one HERE for under $450 shipped, its a pretty simple process to remove it, just a few bolts. I just did the clutch on my R56 myself, the subframe was easily unbolted...it is hefty though.

 

A word of caution, when you drop the sub-frame, you have to disconnect the pinch bolt a the bottom of the steering wheel since the steering rack is attached to the sub-frame. Before you remove the pinch bolt, make sure the car is pointing straight ahead and the steering wheel is centered. Secure the steering wheel so it can't turn when you remove the pinch bolt. If the steering wheel turns when it's disconnected from the rack, you can damage the clock spring, and or lose the orientation between the SZL module and the steering rack. If you lose the zero degree orientation between the SZL module and the steering rack, it will set all sorts of codes in various modules. Also, make sure you mark the electrical connections at the power steering unit; two of them are identical.

 

What they said... It isn't very hard to drop the subframe. Disconnect the steering rack, remove the lower engine torque mount, remove the sway bar end links, control arm ball joints, then its just a few other bolts to lower it out. I suspect the job could be done on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

 

This is good to know. I would not of thought of that. Yikes...

 

Thank you everyone for the confidence boost. I am definitely a bit nervous since it is my first time working on suspension/subframe work. I do have access to a lift, and agreed the part is ~$500. Going to a shop will cost me a fortune...

Does anyone have a link of a detailed FAQ on how to tackle this?

 

YouTube has a videos detailing the process.

 

If you remove the subframe where do you support the vehicle?

 

When I did my clutch job, I had jack stands under the side factory jack points

 

Like this:

 

Danggg your subframe looks like it is still in good shape. You should see mine. Its a rusted badddd I am worried about corroded bolts

 

+1 thats what i did when i dropped the clutch out the bottom. Removed the subframe and cleaned it up on both my R58 and R52. On four jack stands.

 

There is a video but Pelican has a great tut HERE. Good luck, I have faith in you!