R56 front subframe.

[jonny996]

My lad has been informed that at the next MOT it’s likely to fail on a corroded front subframe.

The cars only worth about £2.5K but it’s just had a full service, brakes & back box fitted, so is running fine.

Has anyone had the subframe replaced and if so what was the cost, unfortunately DIY is not a possibility.

[E-bmw]

Did he get an MOT advisory for it?

If I were him, I would say go somewhere else & get a second opinion.

I have heard similar before & then not even had an advisory a year later.

[jonny996]

E-bmw said:

Did he get an MOT advisory for it?

If I were him, I would say go somewhere else & get a second opinion.

I have heard similar before & then not even had an advisory a year later.

Yeah, he got an advisory & the Indy that looks after the cars servicing confirmed it.
Question is does he sell it now with years MOT on it or keep it & gamble if it fails

[E-bmw]

That is an answer only he can give.

Only he knows how risk averse he is.

Only he knows if he can afford to fix it if it fails.

Only he knows how invested he is in the car.

[pigface1001]

Paint it, its probably surface rust

[Pistom]

So OP - what did you end up doing?

It's a fairly involved job but I imagine you've decided how to move forward. I imagine if he's sold the car, you probably won't be coming back to reply unless you've got another Mini.

[jonny996]

Not done anything yet, but new job means it’s getting used less, so will probably just get rid off it.

Seems a shame as it’s hassle free motoring for less than the £1500 he’d likely get for it

[Pistom]

jonny996 said:

Not done anything yet, but new job means it’s getting used less, so will probably just get rid off it.

Seems a shame as it’s hassle free motoring for less than the £1500 he’d likely get for it

The thing with Minis (and lots of cars as they get older) is that if you need to get work done at £80-£150/hr labour, then simple mechanical jobs like this which are a bit labour intensive can get expensive.

If someone enjoys doing stuff like this, then they'd do it on their drive over a weekend and feel better for having done it.

I don't know but I'd be surprised if you could get it done for under £1K, which if it was me, I'd spend it to get a car back I liked.