1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Two questions

If you are having issues with the strut mounts failing, you might want to consider getting some camber plates. Better bearing/mount and you get the additional benefits of protecting the strut towers and possibly evening out the front tire wear.

Do you have a link to the KYB units?

The oil filter itself should be fine, but the o-ring may be bad.

 

The bearing encasement on IE fixed plates will last the longest.

There was an early version of the guide support (post march 2002) with a slightly lower ride height, the rubber was kind of flat, the KYB looks like that part in their photos. The later model is dished with a conical middle. If you don't want IE fixed camber plates, choose the model that matches the existing guide support on the other side.

 

Well I have never seen or used those mounts. Hopefully one of our member service guru's (Way, Keith, or so many others.....lol) will chime in with a better answer.

 

I have read somewhere, sorry I do not remember where that the KYB strut mounts were junk. I have the IE fixed plates on my MINI & they are still good after 60,000 miles or so.

 

KYB is known for their budget struts. I can't imagine their parts would last longer than OEM. IE fixed plates are a good option - $180/ pair. IE site says they're on backorder, but one of the vendors probably has inventory.