1st Gen R53 Cooper S Can someone explain motor mounts to me

Yep, I've run every combination of OEM, poly inserts, full poly mounts, and VibraTechnics. The VT mounts are the best by far in every way. As they should be, for the price.

 

My 2006 R53 has 92,000 miles, if I install the three Vibra-Technics mounts:
MIN906M Rt Eng Mount
MIN910M Lt Eng Mount (trans)
MIN915M Torq Link
Is there any other mounts that I should replace or do those three cover everything?

 

Thats it for engine mounts. Already on poly LCA bushings?

 

Thank you for the engine mount response.
I have not done LCA bushings yet. My original LCA bushings seem to be hanging in there but I know replacing the LCA, power steering, and sway bar bushings needs to be a project in the near future but I am not excited about dropping the subframe so I have been putting it off.

 

On that age car, I'd refresh the power steering hoses and ball joints also, while I was in there. I had all that done on the same time on my car.

 

Yes. Thank you for the reminder on PS Hose and Ball Joints.

 

Lovely. More parts on my winter to-do list

 

5 years ago I put in these softer orange poly motor mounts from Madness. They are a softer compound polyurethane that still limits engine movement without noticeable NVH. I maintained the OEM upper mount to prevent NVH. I have the Borla Street Catback exhaust. There is just barely noticeable NVH that disappears above idle. The car is as smooth, if not smoother, and quiet at stock yet has less engine movement and better shifting. No drone at all at any speed. Have taken trips of 900 miles in one day and arrived with no fatigue. I believe this was the perfect combination after reading all these posts, and have not experienced any of the too-hard or too-soft combinations.

I also have the ATI Super Damper which seemed to me added some additional smoothness at all engine speeds. It is also supposed to add 1/2 lb of additional boost due to 0.8% larger than stock.

Madness MINI Cooper Polyurethane Engine Bushings - Madness Motorworks

--Russ

 

If you are looking for Vibratechnics Mounts get them from me
Greene Performance

 

I have the VT upper, and a poly lower. Really want to change to the VT lower also.

 

I was on your website yesterday looking at pricing. I am just not ready to spend $800 for engine mounts. I know they will be good but still expensive for mounts so I will live with the NVH from my TSW and stock mounts a little longer.

 

it's just $705

 

Piece meal that $800 together. It'll be worth it. I'm still working on getting the drivers side mount. I have 2 of the3.

 

I will replace my engine mounts when needed. I will use Vibratechnics Mounts. You always pay for what you get...you don't always get what you pay for.

 

As mentioned above, do it in steps. I replaced the upper mount with the VT first, because the oem unit crapped out. Then I got the lower mount the next year. I'm still using the original transmission mount for now, but will be switching to the VT at some point.

 

Its ok I understand completely.
I do have the lower in stock though!

 

For my 2006 R53 it is $310+$325+$155=$790 plus shipping.

 

darn it, you're right. Now that kills it for me

Actually, I just put upper and lower new OEM mounts in there. Not going to change that for a while. Gearbox mount will get done when I rip into the car for clutch and other major items again, such as control arm bushings. None of that appears to be needed right now. Got new exhaust on the more immediate wish list and that costs about the same as these motor mounts.