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.

[LT1 or LT4]

I’ve owned 3 R56 minis, currently have a very late R57 JCW convertible, great little cars. The front subframes a real weak point, particularly the removable front sections which support the bumper structure. You should check to see if this is your problem has these parts can be replaced without total engine removal. When I acquired my current car (at 3 years old in 2018) the first thing I did was fill the tubular structure with dinitrol using an extension tube, a relatively easy job which has definitely slowed the corrosion process down dramatically

[E-bmw]

LT1 or LT4 said:

You should check to see if this is your problem has these parts can be replaced without total engine removal.

Do you actually need to remove the engine to replace the subframe?

I only ask because on the previous model you didn't.

[T5SOR]

I cleaned the front and rear subframe (as best as I could) on my R55 and covered it with Buzzweld. I think it was an orange rust inhibitor and then a black protection coat. It still seems to be holding up after a year

[Roboticarm]

Give midlands minis a shout, they supply and fit refurbished units as a reasonable price

[MrC986]

T5SOR said:

I cleaned the front and rear subframe (as best as I could) on my R55 and covered it with Buzzweld. I think it was an orange rust inhibitor and then a black protection coat. It still seems to be holding up after a year

The sad thing is that some MOT testers will put an advisory on that the subframe is "covered in a substance", even if it is a rust protector/underbody sealant!! They also have another favourite now of saying a car has undertrays just so they can rack up a few advisories on their tests to avoid a visit from the Ministry Inspectors!!

I prefer 8am Saturday morning MOT slots with my garage who'll let me look underneath whilst the car is on the ramp at the end of the test so I can see everything myself.