Needing to replace the control arm bushings on my '03 R50, since I will be modifying the suspension anyway I figure I'll swap out the control arms altogether if better options exist.

So far no luck finding an aftermarket control arm unit, curious if the R53 control arms are any different/ have an advantage.

 

So...what is this "better" option ? Do you know what the OEM arms do, or..."don't" do ?
NOTHING better !
The big thing about the aluminum arms, is a slight loss in unsprung weight. You do know what unsprung weight is...? Just makes the shocks and springs work harder with heavier parts, than with lighter parts.

I don't understand this affection with this, so-called..."upgrading" of parts, when the questioner doesn't even understand the benefit, or the lack of.

Bone -
Make sure that your current suspension is in good condition, shocks, bushing, tire wise. Then go out and learn to drive what you have, before adding a bunch do-dads that you aren't even sure what they do, other than a talking point. Interesting thing, you many not even feel or understand what these "hot rod" parts do, or are supposed to feel like in the car, until you have some more actual spirited driving experience under your belt.
Case in point. When you drive around a city (90°) corner, do you use the brakes to slow you down ? I've found, that in about 80+% of the city corners, driving the posted speeds, you DO NOT...need to slow the car to make the corner. A Mini that has a suspension, that is, in good condition and has reasonably good tires, is VERY capable in doing this...in "stock" form.

Not trying to give you a hard time, just providing little real world insight.
Save your fancy part money, and take a driving class or two. MUCH more fun than getting all dirty laying under the car.


Mike

 

The R50 and R53 arms are the same. I believe DNA Racing in Italy still makes a set of tubular front LCAs (I assume you're talking about the front), but I know of no one who's ever bothered to buy a set.

 

I asked a simple question Mike, not for your opinion or impressions on my experience based on that .. very simple question. Here's a decent alternative

"Hey Bonestock, seems you are new to Mini's (classy underhand), they stock unit is made of aluminum and is so efficient there really isnt an aftermarket part that is better, maybe look at a nicer set of bushings and invest there or on something you might feel a difference- have you seen how these things handle 90 degree turns? Best of luck, happy to answer any thing else'
-Mike "

I wish you the best Mike, seems you have greater issues than my Bushings.

 

I appreciate your response. going to focus on the quality of the bushings then.

 

Changing out the shocks, which it sounds you are planning on doing, will have a much greater significance on ride quality than any change you could make with the control arms.

 

yes, thank you, looking through threads now to see what's a good combo with stock struts.

 

Bilsteins are very popular on this board, and won't lower the car.

 

Did you mean to say stock springs? If so, I think pretty much everyone who has installed Koni FSDs (I think they're called special active now?) seems to have liked them. I have no personal experience with them though. I'm running Swift springs with Koni yellows.

 

Agreed! The Koni FSDs transformed the ride on my R53. They weren't available for my R61, so I went with Bilstein B6s, and they made a significant improvement, though not as dramatic as the Konis.

 

Yes I meant springs (thank you), I did some research and ordered Koni special actives via Tirerack, looking at replacement springs but I don't want to go lower, wondering about the ride on stock springs, think i'll try it for now and see how it goes.

 

You'll love the ride once the Konis are installed!

 

Replying to an old thread, but wondering if anyone is aware of tubular front control arms for the R50/2/3? Like... in chromoly... or titanium? Can't find anything, but this seems like a gap in the market now that the first-generation cars are becoming more valuable and desirable. Maybe I need to learn how to weld.

 

:

as ​​​@deepgrey said

DNA Racing used to have some available, but i think that they are discontinued?

https://www.dna-racing.it/it/1752-co...er-r50-r52-r53

they were quite expensive & i don't think many people bought them

 

Oh wow, thanks for the response! Well, those pictures at least give me an idea of what's required if I go off the deep end and try to learn how to fabricate something like this myself. Not a lot of weight savings to be had there, but they look so trick!