So when I had my first Mini(09 Clubman non-S), I installed a set of M7 coilovers and Hotchkis adjustable control arm. Fast forward end of 2011, early 2012(and 35k miles later), I noticed my right side wheel had horrible camber after leaving it overnight. Looked underneath and the right Hotchkis rear control arm was literally broken. One end had failed and I was SOL. Tried calling Hotchkis and emailed photos. Only solution offered was to purchase a new set of control arms. I was planning to sell the Mini and could not have a broken control arm so coughed up the dough and bought a new set from Hotchkis(not sure why I didn't go to a different brand cause they obviously didn't offer any real after sale support). I removed the other side and tested it as well(looked completely normal). I replaced the broken side and brought it to my dealer's attention(the dealer that I traded my Mini in to). They said they inspected it and everything looks good- I offered to include the new left side control arm but they declined. So long story short, I'm sitting on a brand new left side adjustable control arm. With this new(to me) Mini acquired, I'm planning to install a set of coilovers but obviously need control arms. I would rather buy just one side but once again, no one sells just one side. Any other option? (don't feel like coughing up $325 for a set of Hotchkis control arms again). I have no experience with the other brands.

 

I still have the broken control arm but this photo was taken back when it was still installed:

 

I have an h-short sway bar and now that I need control arms I might go with Helix especially after 35k ONLY...

 

Well the response by both M7(where I bought it from) and Hotchkis was that they've never seen anything like this before(I really don't expect them to say anything else). I do understand that sometimes one out of thousands make could be an anomaly but the lack of support really bothered me -shrugs-

 

And that's why I made up my mind cause if they don't have an answer than I have an answer and its go with a new brand instead.

 

I've sold hundreds of sets of the Hsport control arms and never seen anything like this. Please take pics of them after you remove them and I'll talk to my hotchkis rep. as I know they stand behind their products.

Also a set of Hsport camber links is only $239.95. I've used them on my race car and street cars for over 5yrs and never had an issue. I've got one customer that has had them on his car since 2003 without any issue so we need to figure out what is happening on your particular car.

 

Thanks Way. I did contact Hotchkis directly(M7 gave me their number) and emailed them pics. I do have the broken control arm still so I can take more photos if you'd like. Where should I send the photos?

Just a note: This all went down in December 2011/January 2012(and on my original Mini that I have already traded in). I brought this up more for the fact that I'm sitting on only one side control arm and trying to find a solution for that. So technically this issue was solved when I purchased another set of the Hotchkis. Regardless, if there's some retroactive solution, I am definitely interested so I can use them on my current Mini.

 

That's a lot of rust! This is a very unusual failure

The only other true upgrade are those ridiculous titanium control arms from NM. Being made of money is a requirement to purchase them.

 

Yea, I got a few more photos this morning and there's definitely rust but its Wisconsin with 3 somewhat mild winters(for Wisconsin anyways) under its belt. I'll post the photos later when I get to my main computer.

 

This is very unusual, I have a set of upper and lower H-Sport control arms on one of my R53 and they've been amazing.

I had another set of H-Sport on a R53 that I have now sold and the control arms are on another member's car which have been fine too, very odd.

 

Updated photos:

 

That's ridiculous Izzy. Any news on what they'll do for you? Cause I'm shocked, I hear all these great things about them. I especially have the competition bar by them but like I said of they don't give you an answer, I will use helix for my control arms.

 

Nothing yet. I'm trying to contact Way since he might have an "in" with them. Direct contact with Hotchkis have not gotten any traction :(

 

Very surprised, many of our customers have had a lot of success with Hotchkis products. From the picture it looks like it broke because rust got into the metal. I'd suggest speaking with a different rep or perhaps a supervisor/manager, perhaps ask for some sort of discount or even a store credit torwards your next purchase.

 

Update: Talk about quick response. I had just placed an order with WayMotorWorks for an Akrapovic down pipe and inquired on Way's email to try and get a hold of him regarding this issue. Emailed him and not 5 minutes later, I get a reply asking for the photos. Not even 30 minutes later, Way calls me HIMSELF and informs me that he spoke to Hotchkis's guy-in-charge and this issue never crossed his desk after my initial communication with Hotchkis(I did deal with a rep at customer service, not the guy-in-charge). Way says they are planning to contact me and get more info.

Regardless of how this ends up(and I'll definitely update), Way has gone ABOVE AND BEYOND what he needs to. His intervention earlier on this thread was before I purchased the down pipe(so I wasn't even his customer!). As a consumer and a small business owner, I give him MUCH DESERVED props. Make no mistake, I'll definitely be purchasing from Way as much as I can from the future. If this is how he treats non-customers, I can just imagine how his support is for customers! :two thumps up:

 

Another update: wow another update already. So Drew from Hotchkis called me directly and made this right. This was beyond my expectations as my real intent with this thread was to find a right side control arm to make my set whole again. Instead Drew is sending me a brand new set at no charge. I've definitely been floored by the customer service by both companies, WayMotorWorks and Hotchkis. Hotchkis did tell me that the rep that assisted me initially was the wrong person and didn't last long anyways. So all in all this current response would have been their original(which is excellent customer service and shows that they truly stand behind their product)

Thanks once again Way and Drew. Other potential buyers should have no issues with purchases from either company as both have EXCELLENT after sales service.

 

I am planning on purschasing a set of coil-overs in the spring and was debating on the control arms to buy. Based on this thread my decision has been made.

 

I hope you've decided to go with the Hotchkis.

 

Yes, definitely