Going to order Powerflex control arm bushings, and as suggested probably replace steering rack/sway bar bushings while under there. Question; how much of a PITA is it to do the ball joints, and is it worth doing them on a car with Justa over 50,000 on the clock?
You should not need any of them my car is an 05 with over 75K still on the stock ones. (Ball joints) As for the bushings the only ones I replaced were the LCA bushings the other ones are still OEM. Don't replace every bushing just because they make them or you will make your car stiff and everything will rattle.
I like my Powerflex bushings. I can tell no increase in noise, vibration, or harshness. I've used poly bushings in other cars, and could see in increase in NVH, but the MINI did not have that problem. You'll get more precise steering and the peace of mind that they'll last. While you're in there, I'd go ahead and put in fresh ball joints. Those things see a lot of punishing conditions, they aren't expensive, and they're right there while you're doing the bushings. I'd also replace the steering rack bushing because the inevitable PS fluid leaks will deteriorate the rubber bushing material. I replaced mine with a Powerflex poly bushing because it was easy to get to while I had the subframe out and is more resistant to oils of various types. I can tell no difference in noise etc. Let me also amplify what Dave said. Don't replace every bushing with poly. If you overdo them, you'll wind up with a rattling, creaking, buzz box. Also, while you have the front end extended in Service Mode, put a fresh o-ring on the crank position sensor.
A local garage that specializes in Mini maintenance and repair quote me $875 to do the control arms and bushings. Does that sound right?
I did my teardown one weekend, and reassembly the next. If I had all the parts on hand, I could probably do it in 10-12 hours. That equates to $72.92-$87.50 per hour. For that kind of money, you deserve top notch workmanship. I'm an engineer with 20 years experience, and I'm responsible for maintenance, upkeep, and capital improvements for ~26 buildings and 16 enterprise sized data centers. I'm ashamed to say that I don't make that much.
That rate is about average for an independent shop around here, and the local dealerships charge more than double that rate! @iovecables, did they quote the number of hours and hourly rate?
Helix replaced the control arm bushings on my R53 at the recent MOTD for $350 including parts...it was a special they offered to attendees, and as you have found is quite a bit cheaper than what most shops charge. I'm pretty sure they have a method figured out that allows them to do the replacement without dropping the sub frame (which is the typical method and takes more time). My car had 93k miles and the bushings were completely worn out...the new bushings made a world of difference in handling and steering wheel feel. You might be able to do this job yourself, many have...one good option if doing yourself is to obtain control arms with the bushings installed on an exchange basis...without the proper tool I understand it is a bit of a bear to get the new bushings in. During the install Helix discovered my front sway bar bushings are also worn...but that job does require lowering of the sub frame...so it will have to wait until I've got to drop that for some other job.
I haven't been on in a while, but your price isn't so bad if it includes materials. You can look back through my posts and see the scope of work I did. Parts alone were $550-600 if I remember correctly. My earlier reply about the high price was because I thought that was for labor only.
i skimmed this thread...we charge 450 install plus bushings here at the shop. you need an alignment after for 125. if you wanted to lower it also that is a whole other job and requires other parts also. it all comes down to how much you love the car and are going to keep it as well as part cost and the end goal. some of the early r50s are going for 4K right now...you add bushings and lowering it and you have a 1500 bill (ish) to lover a 4K car. if it is mint ans your going to keep it makes sense, but if you going to sell it in a year..not as much. food for thought.
Am getting some basic maintenance done on July 2nd. Will ask for a breakdown, but yes, that price included parts and labour.
Happy to say the bushings - and everything else on the car is in VERY good condition. Only thing that needs addressing is the 3rd brake light is dead, and I'm down to 5/32 on the run flats. Let's see how long it takes the rozzers to notice....... Loving the CAI that Kevin's Auto Care installed for me.