Sourcing parts for R56 Mini Cooper S

[Ghost Chip 188]

Mate failed WOF from a bit of play on the front lower control arms. Anyone know where I can source out front lower control arm rear bushes for (R56) 2006 Mini Cooper S?

Trademe showed some from superpro, anyone know this shop?

Edited May 20, 2021 by Ghost Chip

[qube 3570]

If you can wait 1 week delivery time you can order from rockauto

I might also be keen to split shipping costs since I’m gonna be placing another order soon.

last two orders took 7 days and 6 days to arrive incl weekends so actually 5 and 4 working days.

 

edit:

FCP - 22usd each plus shipping for Lemforder ones

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mini-front-control-arm-bushing-cooper-31126767530

Rockauto - 17nzd each plus shipping for Vaico ones

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/vaico,V202705,control+arm+bushing,7532

Otherwise you can get the poly solid bushes from powerflex but cost a bit more.

Edited May 20, 2021 by qube

[KwS 2425]

Superpro make good bushes, and being polybushes they will last forever and are an upgrade from stock rubber. The sellers on TM are probably from AUS, otherwise you can usually get Superpro from Autolign in NZ. I believe all the polybush options are easier to install than OE replacements which need to be pressed in.

I used Powerflex on my R53, which i ordered direct from the UK https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Front+Wishbone+Rear+Bush/1836.html

[Ghost Chip 188]

6 hours ago, KwS said:

Superpro make good bushes, and being polybushes they will last forever and are an upgrade from stock rubber. The sellers on TM are probably from AUS, otherwise you can usually get Superpro from Autolign in NZ. I believe all the polybush options are easier to install than OE replacements which need to be pressed in.

I used Powerflex on my R53, which i ordered direct from the UK https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Front+Wishbone+Rear+Bush/1836.html

I’m not too familiar with Minis but how much of a hassle is it to replace the bushings on the front?

[qube 3570]

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI/41-SUSPEN-Control_Arm_Bushing_and_ball_joint_Replacement/41-SUSPEN-Control_Arm_Bushing_and_ball_joint_Replacement.htm

 

[KwS 2425]

6 hours ago, Ghost Chip said:

I’m not too familiar with Minis but how much of a hassle is it to replace the bushings on the front?

Bloody diabolical. Not too hard to do but time consuming and means removing a bunch of the front of the car.

Expect to spend a decent lump of cash on labour if you arent doing it yourself. 

This was from when I did mine on my R53

[Ghost Chip 188]

I just had a read. Annoying that you have to drop the whole subframe. Mate got quoted 750 overall incl GST. 💸💸💸 (labour was only 160 though)

[KwS 2425]

2 hours ago, Ghost Chip said:

I just had a read. Annoying that you have to drop the whole subframe. Mate got quoted 750 overall incl GST. 💸💸💸 (labour was only 160 though)

You sure thats right? The parts are pretty cheap, unless you were replacing the whole arms with genuine BMW. I'd almost think the part cost was $160 and the the rest was labour.

[Ghost Chip 188]

46 minutes ago, KwS said:

You sure thats right? The parts are pretty cheap, unless you were replacing the whole arms with genuine BMW. I'd almost think the part cost was $160 and the the rest was labour.

 

[KwS 2425]

There are ways to press the bushes out in place on the car, but it needs special tools to do it and its generally regarded as a real PITA. Its possible they will do it that way, or they have just under quoted labour a lot (there is no way you can drop the subframe, replace the bushes and refit in 2 hours). I wonder if they would let you supply your own polybushes at their labour rate?

[qube 3570]

That is a really messed up quote haha. I honestly dont think it can be a 2 hr job and $240 per bush is madness. 

[Ghost Chip 188]

It sounds like a real pain either way so mate would rather a proper mechanic to do it rather than two wannabe home DIYer (aka me and him)

I did wonder if could provide our own bushings to make it cheaper but those superpro ones on trademe are $220 a pop as well or am I looking up the wrong thing? For reference I’m talking about these https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/car-parts-accessories/parts-other-makes/suspension/auction-3103942587.htm

Any recommendations on good Mini auto shop somewhere close to North Shore (Auckland)?

Also @KwS how much did it cost you back overall. Seems like they’re the same with these ones, is this the right one compared to the one I mentioned above? https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/car-parts-accessories/parts-other-makes/suspension/auction-3098204199.htm

Edited May 23, 2021 by Ghost Chip

[M3AN 4016]

Many SuperPro bushes don't need a press to install, I'd contact Georg Stock ([email protected]) for prices before buying off Trademe.

And wow, those Mini arms look like a PITA to work on!

[KwS 2425]

12 hours ago, Ghost Chip said:

It sounds like a real pain either way so mate would rather a proper mechanic to do it rather than two wannabe home DIYer (aka me and him)

I did wonder if could provide our own bushings to make it cheaper but those superpro ones on trademe are $220 a pop as well or am I looking up the wrong thing? For reference I’m talking about these https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/car-parts-accessories/parts-other-makes/suspension/auction-3103942587.htm

Any recommendations on good Mini auto shop somewhere close to North Shore (Auckland)?

Also @KwS how much did it cost you back overall. Seems like they’re the same with these ones, is this the right one compared to the one I mentioned above? https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/car-parts-accessories/parts-other-makes/suspension/auction-3098204199.htm

Those superpro ones are offset, which is designed to correct alignment issues. You'd want ones that arent offset and have the same bush each side. Being a metal sleeve bush I think you would need to press those in too.

The powerflex ones in the second link are the same as the ones I used in my R53, and a very common upgrade overseas. They can be done without a press, using some threaded bar and a couple of plates and nuts to draw them in, or maybe a big vice. These are the ones I would go for.

Both options are a "car" kit, with bushes to do both sides.

[Ghost Chip 188]

4 hours ago, KwS said:

Both options are a "car" kit, with bushes to do both sides.

So does that mean that shouldn’t need to buy 2 of them? That makes the quote super expensive then, what the heck 🤔

[KwS 2425]

10 hours ago, Ghost Chip said:

So does that mean that shouldn’t need to buy 2 of them? That makes the quote super expensive then, what the heck 🤔

No, one kit will do both sides. OEM bushes are likely sold each, but even they shouldnt cost that much.