So I searched, read a few forums and posts, but couldn't find anything specific to this particular topic.

I'm going to need to replace my CA bushings sometime soon (passenger side is about toast @ 69k) and I've read reports that the stock rubber is better than poly, and/or the opposite.

So, what say you, fellow MINI owners. Stick with stock, or go with poly? Either way, pre-pressed, they're about the same price.

Thanks in advance

 

Mine were long overdue for replacement at 75K. I used stock and now 30K later regret it; should have gone with powerflex.

 

Putting on Powerflex control arm bushing next week, at 71,000

 

That's two for poly...

 

I replaced with stock at about 35K, and had to replace again, but this time with poly, at 57K.
I haven't had a full winter with the poly yet, only down to about 35F, but new poly
holds the wheel in place a lot better than new rubber CA bushings, and I
have not noticed any objectional harshness with the poly. If there's an increase in
transmission of bumps or road noise, it must be pretty subtle. Going from worn rubber
to new poly improved the solidity of the steering response significantly more than going from
worn rubber to new rubber ones did.
They're supposed last way longer than the stock rubber ones (which apparently go every 25-35K on
the roads I drive on).

 

I replaced mine 2 weeks ago with Powerflex bushings, they look and feel like they'll last forever! (car have around 60 000 miles)

 

Sold 100s of Powerflex bushings and not one complaint. They are great, heck I even have a set in my MINI I drive everyday.
The idea that the OEM is better is crazy, they wear out way too fast.

 

The construction on the ones I got could have used some improvement. They are two pieces, one is pressed into where the oem bushing went and the other slips over the control arm. The idea then is that you have have two surfaces that slide across each other as the control arm rotates (rather than how the stock rubber just flexes). Unfortunately the fit of the two pieces was way too tight on one of mine, the control arm actually rotated inside the bushing itself rather than the two pieces of bushing rotating over each other. It could simply be luck of the draw as to whether or not you get a good fit as the other side was fine...

Still better than the OEM, still better than the other poly bushings out there.