R53 Mini Cooper S Every Rear Bushing Install DIY (Part 2 of 2)

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Bushings are one of the best budget upgrades you can make to improve the handling of a car, especially one that is older as the stock bushings are probably shot. While bushings are super cheap, they are pretty labor intensive. It can be done without a press, but a press is definitely the easiest way to do it (however, I have done every bushing I have ever installed without one). Every single bushing for the Mini only costs me about $500 in total. Every part is either PowerFlex (supported by ECS Tuning), SuperPro, or stock replacements from FCPEuro.
In part 1, we will do the front bushings all together by dropping the subframe; in part 2, we will be doing the rears. Install wasn’t too bad, but do yourself a favor and spray everything with penetrating oil. It took longer than expected to swap everything out, but it was more tedious and annoying that it was difficult.
Polyurethane bushings have gotten a bad reputation for being noisy and harsh, but I haven’t experienced any of the with the 350Z, E39, and now the R53. The car rides just as smoothly, but the steering feels incredibly direct. At Roebling Road, the car felt so composed; it’s just a joy to drive.
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[@jeffharries]

Thanks so much for these two videos, very much appreciated. Just bought 2005 JCW w/300k km on clock, might need new bushings!

[@350Z247]

Good luck. It's a bear but doable

[@ghostwrench2292]

Good video and I appreciate your opinion on how the polyurethane bushings effect the ride and handling. I had committed to going full polyurethane suspension bushings when I decided it's time for a suspension refresh on my R53 but I had a little concern that the ride would be too harsh and my wife might complain. If our experience matches yours - that the response is improved but the ride is not too harsh - I think my wife will be pleased. I have almost all of the parts (bushings, coilovers, control arms, etc...), now I just need a few more bushings (rear trailing arm and rear upper control arm) and then the hard work begins. I can't wait to feel the transformation!

[@anydaynow01]

Awesome breakdown of the bushing install! If you eventually decide to do go full spherical bushings and adjustable arms the harshness isn't nearly as bad as folks think IF you get excellent quality coilovers or dampers.

[@350Z247]

That won't happen on the Mini, but it'll happen on the 350Z soon

[@martinverhoeve1372]

I was hoping to see you actually press in the bushings....but it was all magic

[@350Z247]

Pressing them in is the easy part.

[@benscott3603]

Was taking out the originals out the hard part?

[@youtuberdad124]

Thanks for sharing these great videos. Im about to install new bushings on my R53 too, and I was uncertain if I should insert new superpro engine mounts. Might delay that particular install for now. Thanks again.

[@350Z247]

Yeah, I did not like those at all