Hey guys. Is it possible to retrofit the top engine mount to the pre face lifted mount? My vibratecnics mount just sheared off and I don't want to go back to the Fluid mount or spend $300 on another vibratechnics mount.

Thanks.

 

The OEM facelift mount is fluid filled and I believe it is even more fragile and prone to failure than the OEM pre-facelift version. As I remember, the new version is softer to reduce transmitting engine vibration.

 

This is the first time hear that the Vibratecnics failed. Would be nice if you can post some photos.

The pre and post "facelift" are quite different can cannot easily be interchanged:

• the cast aluminum bracket attached to the engine that sits on the mount is different.
• the chassis provisions for the engine mount are different. I was just looking at my 05 Mini the other day and I can see the bolt holes for the pre-facelift are still there. But for your pre you will at least have to fabricate a bolt hole for the new mount this is for far/aft restrain.
• both OEM mounts are fluid fill, and I am of the impression the post is tougher as the bladder is enclosed in a stainless steel casing.
• the ground strap orientation is a bit different, but should be handled by the respective brackets.

pre facelift



post facelift

 

My mistake. It's a TSW Mount. I purchased it from WMW about a year and a half ago. I'll post pics when I get home.

 

Take a look at the off center metal mount above the rubber. The engine is just laying on that mount.





However.....In this next pic, you can see a mark on the mount housing and A Chunk of aluminum removed from when the engine mount bracket hit the mount.

This is how much engine movement I have now due to this failed part.
The only power mods I have are a ATI 2% Overdrive pulley from WMW and a Exhaust manifold. I don't even have an aftermarket pulley. I also have a BSH Lower mount and a Powerflex Black series Trans mount insert. So it's not like that mount was working extra hard to compensate for the other two. I've done two auto-crosses and on the second one it let go, causing my already crappy flex pipe to blow open due to the excessive engine movement.

I'm really confused on why this high performance (and expensive) motor mount failed like this on a 95% street driven vehicle. The mount lasted about 20k miles.

I'm pretty sure this won't be covered under warranty which sucks. I really don't wanna go to a crappy Fluid mount.

 

I have seen another thread on these special mounts breaking. Thinking that one was a Vibra-technics.

Sucks that it broke with 20k.

 

It sucks that it's $300. In under 25k. A Fluid mount is at least cheap.

 

I thought about putting one of those "performance" mounts on but the vert already shakes enough as it is.

Suggest you see if Way Motors responds. He spends allot of time here after his shop is closed.

 

Vibratechnics Makes a Road version of their mount for like $260. I might get that.

 

If you go with the VT direct your web browser to the .co.uk website not the .com. You will pay more on the .com site. But with the price you have mentioned above, it seems like you did that already.

 

From the photo it seems that the design of the mount relies on a bounding of the flat aluminum surface and the polyurethane to resist the shear force the engine rocking generates. If that is the case, it is very bad design with no regard to restrain the engine when the polyurethane fails.

The revised OEM fluid-fill mount is designed to properly restrain the engine even when the fluid chamber fails. For this reason alone, I incline to stay OEM even if I have to replace it every 25,000 miles. You can find them for about $50 shipped.

I was very surprised when the OE mount failed, how lousy the Mini rides. The passenger side of the engine dropped only about 1/2", and is still supported by the rubber that is a part of the OE mount. No lost of rocking restrain. Just no hydraulic suspension, and the ride went to hell. Vibrations can be felt from the seat, steering wheel, and the interior trims rattles.

 

I don't care about NVH. I think I'll bite the bullet and get a Vibratechnics Competition mount.

I do see an item on Mini Mania that involves adding a dogbone to the top of the mount to lessen the movement.

https://new.minimania.com/part/NME2300/Mini-Cooper-Engine-Stabilizer-Gen1-R50-R52-R53-2005

 

For the benefit of those spent time to chime in, can you share the mileage on this mount that failed catastrophically?

 

The car had 127200ish miles when the mount failed. It took out my exhaust flex joint with it.

 

Never mind. Not just that you don't care about NVH, you don't care about getting you damn facts straight. According to your own build thread, you installed a Vibra-technics not all that long ago.

"However the Upper Hydraulic mount was leaking so I replaced it with this Vibra-Technics Poly upper mount. I chose this because I don't want another failure-prone hydraulic mount and I want a stiffer drive train.

Those two along with a Powerflex Black series Poly Gearbox Bushing insert translates to a good time :D.

The ONLY time I notice more vibration is when I'm taking off. That's it.

I've read reviews on how the vibration is so bad that sinkholes will appear and take you to Narnia.

Bull. The driving feel is more connected, but not NEARLY uncomfortable. But hey. That's just me. I guess I have a High tolerance for this stuff."



Go order another one.

 

Please Read Number 4 post on this thread.

I have a receipt from RMW that says this mount is a TSW. I posted on my build that it was a Vibratechnics mount because I thought it actually was due to being so similar. My mistake. And I said it was my mistake on Post #4 in this thread.

Chill out. I've already givin up on the fact this will be covered under warranty. I'll just buy a Vibratechnic mount. Done.

Thanks for the comment.

 

Update: WMW Warrantied the mount even though it was 6 months past the warranty period. They did this as long as I sent back the old mount for them to see what happened to it and make any improvements as they've never seen one fail.

I am truly impressed that they did that for me. They didn't have to do it when I was out of the warranty period but they did and I am truly grateful. I will be purchasing their TSW X-brace in the future for sure.

WMW is awesome.