I replaced the OEM lower engine mount on my 04 MCS w/85k miles.

It's a really easy job. I'm a novice mechanic and the job took about 2-3 hours including removing my skid plate, eating some food, reviewing a bookmarked NAM article, figuring out how to safely jack up the front passenger side AND put it on a jack mount, cutting a piece of wood for the jack, searching for tools, and getting sidetracked on the computer. If you really knew what you were doing and had all of your tools lined up you could easily knock it out in 20-30 minutes.

I inspected the original mount after removal and it looked fine. However, when I slid a 3/4 socket extension through the hole and cranked on it, I could clearly see tears through the rubber.

Starting is smoother, shifting is smoother, 1st and 2nd gear feel a lot better as well as any gear in high RPM, downshifting feels less harsh, and throttle response has dramatically improved. In 1st, 2nd, and 3-5 in high RPM, fluctuating the throttle actually fluctuates the acceleration instead of rocking the engine back and forth. The old mount in 2nd would 'bounce' if I quickly released the throttle. I'm so happy that lame 'bounce' is gone! =]

I can't wait till tomorrow - replacing the OEM stabilizer mount and replacing the upper engine mount with a polyurethane one from TSW.

 

How did you know it needed replacing? Why the lower mount specifically? I know my upper mount is bad because it leaked fluid. Now I'm wondering if I should replace any of the other mounts as well.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Nice....only mount I have not modded or replaced yet. Will be a future project as I am at 96K miles now

 

A BMW tech said my upper mount was bad. It's not the fluid filled one, so I don't know how he knew that. Talking with MINI techs and owners, they say if the upper is bad, your lower is most likely bad too. Pretty much anything made of rubber is going to be headed south at 6 years of age and 85k miles. So I decided to get all 3 motor mounts.

 

Mini mounts are really cheaply made. They should sell it for $10 a piece. I just replaced 2 of 3 mounts on my GF's VW New Beetle at 172k miles. None was broken but the slight vibration at stop lights is almost gone. My GF can't even tell the difference.