Looking at Powerflex control arm bushings for my 2009 Clubman S (R55). The Powerflex site shows the following for Mini control arm bushings:

Gen 1 Mini, http://powerflexusa.com/bmwminigener...-pff5-101.aspx:
PFF5-101 (Street) Black outer, purple inner?
PFF5-101B (Race) Color???

Gen 2 Mini, http://powerflexusa.com/bmwminigener...-pff5-201.aspx:
PFF5-201 (Street) Purple outer, black inner?
PFF5-201B (Race) Color???

Questions:
1. Are the Race bushings the same color as the Street bushings? Just saying that the race bushings are "black" doesn't help because both the Gen 1 PF and Gen 2 PF bushings have black and purple components.

2. Several Mini sites sell the Gen 1 bushings for the Gen 2 cars. I've read one post here saying that the Gen 1 PF bushings are more durable than the Gen 2 PF bushings and that the bushings are the same size. Can someone verify this?

3. Should I get the Gen 1 or Gen 2 PF control arm bushings for my Gen 2 R55? I think I would prefer street over race. Pluses and minuses?

 

The bushings are the same for Gen 1 and Gen 2. The outer polyurethane sleeve from what I remember is a gray color for the "race" branded. The regular powerflex bushings are their standard purple color.

Great mod. When I still had my MINI it was a huge improvement in keeping the front of the car straight during hard braking on the track and the steering was more accurate. In a street application I would only replaced them when they need to be replaced.

 

So I just called Powerflex to get to the bottom of this. They do in fact offer 2 different "Front Wishbone Rear Bushing" kits for Gen 1 Minis, and 2 different kits for Gen 2 Minis as shown:

Gen 1 Mini:
PFF5-101 (Street) Black outer, purple inner
PFF5-101B (Race) All black

Gen 2 Mini:
PFF5-201 (Street) Purple outer, black inner
PFF5-201B (Race) All black

They said that either street kit would work for the Gen 2 Mini. When asked about durability they didn't know if their was a difference but they did mention that Way Motor Works states that the Gen 1 street bushings are more durable so deferred to them since they have so much experience with them.

On calling one of their dealers, the dealer stated that they were told there was only a part number change and no difference between PFF5-101 and PFF5-201 and they've had no complaints about PFF5-101 for both Gen 1 and Gen 2 cars. So some of the dealers have incorrect information about the part numbers or don't care to stock both parts. But from what I'm hearing about (possible) durability issues this may be for the best.

Powerflex did say that the race bushings are all black. They didn't mention gray. Since the race version is all black for the Gen 1 and Gen 2 cars, it seems like those parts would be identical but I didn't ask Powerflex.

 

My mistake. Was not gray but black.