When I hit a hard bump, my struts seem to bang hard now rather than dampen like they did when the car was new. There isn' any leaks and the front end doesn't bounce more than once when I push up and down on the front. Does it sound like the struts are bad?
Welcome aboard. I can't answer your question, but with that many miles they could be. I know MINI has a number of parts that they say are lifetime, but what exactly is "lifetime"? Is that "forever" or the "lifetime" of the part? Jim
Have a look at the area around the front strut top for deformation and/or a torn guide support bushing. Strut Mushrooming - MINI Cooper Forum - MINI2 Mini Cooper Forums Compare how far the dust cap extends upward from one strut to the other. The guide support bushing can collapse from below and not show a visible tear above.
^ Yes like k-huevo said. At that mileage I'd say the struts are a bit past their prime. They can be bad & not show any leaking. The old bounce the car test works better on cars with soft springs like old American land yachts not so mush on a car with stiff springs like your MINI. Welcome to M/A milda.
Actually, have a look at your front suspension bushings. It's likely time they are replaced if they haven't been replaced yet.
Check the lower control arm bushings too......at 130K on an '04 I'd be surprised they're not completely knackered....