Any experts here know with any certainty if the 07 aluminum trailing arms will bolt on to a pre 07 MCS (R53)???

The 13lbs weight savings is keeping me up at night?:impatient

 

I heard that the GPs have aluminum trailing arms too. Meaning they could work for other MINIs (i think). But I also hear that GP parts are available on a VIN basis. So you'll have to have a good buddy with a GP buy some for you. On that note, anyone with a GP want to buy some for me? I will reimburse and pay a commission too.

 

I'll be test-fitting them on the race car in a week or two.

I think the shape where it meets the shock might be different and require some custom fabricated bushings, but I won't know for sure until we try it on the car.

 

The arms will work. Bushings are different as stated above. I believe GTT on MINI2 has bushings made up at this time.

Saving more weight Alain?

 

Yepper!

 

I've been thinking the same thing. When ya get the lowdown, let me know!

 

Great news. Eveything I've read said the GP and R56 alloy arms should bolt on to an R53. I've got a line on a set and I wanted to be sure they will be compatable without using large hammers. Please keep us advised of your progress. Thanks!

 

All you have to do is go to a dealer for a parts diagram. Shows all you need.

GP0088

Try Classic

 

Is that 13 pounds total, or per pair? I would tend to think so... Confirmation would be nice. I've been interested in these for a while now... Thanks.

 

According to BMW it is a 13lb net savings... If you believe factory claims

 

It to me means each one, so 26 lbs total? I find that very hard to believe... but would love to be wrong! 6.5 lbs each sound more reasonable... Thanks for the follow-up.

 

and interrestingly, both the upper and lower control arms have different part numbers than on the R53. The rear sub frame is a different part number as well, but it looks like it's just for a support bracket....

Matt

 

The upper and lower arms are made different from the old style. GP and R56 are lighter. I believe they are the same length. Well my old H-sport arms bolted up no problem for what it's worth.

 

Are we talking traling arms, or control arms? A photo would be nice so we can make sure that we are talking about the same thing...

 

Trailing arms!!!!!!!
I was statings my old h-sport arms fit the new setup.

 

The trailing arm is #4. What exactly is different between the R53 and R56 rear suspension besides the trailing arms being aluminum? There was a change sometime in 06 to the lower control arms. Early on they were black and sometime they turned to silver. I'm not sure if there is actually any difference besides the color. But the latter setup, minus the aluminum trailing arm looks like the same suspension as the late 06.

 

I'm looking into that as well. If it fit, I will go for it.

 

The trailing arm and the upper and lower arms are different. Click on pic for more views. Thanks to GPMINI for pics of his GP.

 

Thanks for the diagram SB

Sheeeesh! You guys are worse than the dealer!

For clarification purposes, MY INQUIRY is about TRAILING ARMS as depicted in the diagram as #4. Not control arms (9 & 10).

I encountered similar confusion in speaking to 2 different dealerships about this topic. I assume most people in here have already upgraded there upper and lower control arms as I have. I am picking up a pair of 07 spec TRAILING ARMS which the factory claims are 13lb lighter than our steel arms. I assume that meens a net savings of 13lbs over both of our steel units.

Clear as mud

 

The control arms look the same as my 06 excluding the DSC option connected to the top arm. Mine is a May build so I'm not sure when the change in 06 occured as I know of another 06 that does not have the silver bottom arm.



blumini, can you give us an idea about how much the aluminum trailing arm costs?

 

"One Million Dollars!"

I'll have the actual cost hopefully on Monday and will let you know.

 

Trailing arms indeed. bluemini, please report back on how it goes in trying to mate these up. Thanks much for sharing.

 

It appears that the control arms, or at least the lower arm was changed in 06...my 05 had the other arms.

And I also believe that 05-06 posses different trailing arm bushings...04 may be included.

Tony, how have you been?

 

it's the length that matters. If you're using stock Mini hardware, this is a concern. If you're using adjustable control arms, who cares! It will all work out with allignement. So the only real issue is the bushing mount on the body shell. IF that fits, it's a go!

Matt

 

33-30-6-776-315
33-32-6-776-316
trailing arms
List price for these back in Sept was $605.00 each
Old news blumini and yes we know what you were asking for.
Hope the dealer can help you. Better check the bushings for part numbers. You may take your car apart and find out you'll be waiting to order more parts.