5 replies to this topic

[dannybenford]

Hi,

My mini needs a new rear subframe, I wanted to know if my only replacement would be to get the following or do I have other options to keep the cost down? http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

Thanks in advance

[69k1100]

Look about for a decent second hand one? What other options are you expecting?

[dannybenford]

I didn't know if there were suitable alternatives such as the 91 on subframe:

http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

Or if the strengthened "sports pack" subframe is the only suitable one?

[AVV IT]

A standard subframe should still fit, but as I understand it, the sports pack version was reinforced with more welds due to the extra weight of the 13" wheels and the extra leverage/strain caused by the extra width of those sports pack rims. Whilst it would probably be advisable to fit a strengthened sportspack subby, plenty of people still manage to fit those large 13 x 7 sports pack to non sports pack models that have standard non strengthened subframes.

I'd actualy be more concerned over fitting a non genuine subframe though. A lot of pattern subframes really aren't all that great, they've been known to cause suspension geometry issues and can cause the car to "crab". I'd certainly avoid them if you're planning on fitting it yourself due to all the problems getting them lined up with the holes in the shell, and if you're paying someone else to fit it for you, then you'll have to factor in the potential cost of extra labour charges incurred getting a pattern one to fit.

Others will disagree, but for the sake of a couple of hundred quid I'd say go with a genuine subframe, and if you're going to do that then you may aswell go with the reinforced version as it's around the same price.

[alex-95]

You could always weld strengtheners onto an earlier model frame.

[dannybenford]

Thanks, I think for the sake of £200 I'm better off getting the strengthened one then!
Thanks