Engine Mounts Average Lifespan & How to Replace Them

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Engine mounts are one of the most crucial parts of any motorized vehicle. Most cars will have the original mounts bolted to the car’s subframe via the engine arm. Between the subframe and the engine arm is where the engine mounts will usually be located. Their function is to keep the engine stable and safely mounted and to provide stability for the car’s most valuable component. 

Engine mounts have a direct effect on the drivability of the vehicle as well as the comfort level. Depending on the vehicle’s application and use, a balance of both will be determined by the construction and design of the engine mounts. 

The Short Answer: Factory engine mounts typically last up to 100,000 miles.

How Long Do Engine Mounts Last?

The Lifespan of Street Engine Mounts

In road cars, factory engine mounts are designed and engineered for maximum comfort and less vibration, noise, and harshness otherwise referred to as “NVH." The materials used to construct them are typically optimized for those qualities resulting in a part that will wear out and must be replaced within the lifetime of the vehicle. 

Factory/OEM spec engine mounts are usually made from rubber and will typically last up to 100,000 miles assuming the vehicle has been reasonably maintained. This can vary depending on road conditions as well as other issues such as oil or power steering component leaks which can drip fluids onto the mounts and considerably accelerate the wear of the rubber components.

The Lifespan of Track Engine Mounts

In racing, every component is optimized for maximum performance and longevity. Therefore, engine mounts in all racing cars will need to be stiff, lightweight, and reliable which can result in slight vibration. The reward? Stiffer mounts limit engine movement resulting in better throttle response, and improved chassis balance and handling. 

Racing engine mounts lifespan will vary depending on usage, materials, and driving style. Therefore, it is best to be on the lookout for signs of wear rather than sticking to a specified mile range.

Old Engine Mount Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of worn engine mounts are pretty straightforward. They include:

1. Any out-of-character noise and vibrations when idling or at driving speeds

2. Diminished vehicle throttle response

3. Potential power loss within the vehicle’s drivetrain

How to Choose a New Engine Mount

When choosing a new mount, the most important factor to consider is the general application of the vehicle. If the car is being used primarily for commuting and long road trips with comfort being a priority, then a high-quality OEM replacement set of engine mounts should be considered. However, if maximizing the vehicle’s performance is a priority then a set of performance-focused engine mounts will be the best option. For high-performance BMWs, there’s no better option than Condor Speed Shop. 

Condor Speed Shop has been manufacturing and selling reliable performance parts for BMWs for over 15 years and is one of the world’s most trusted sources for BMW racing components. Our products are all made in the USA, mainly at our HQ in Oakland Park, Florida. All of our parts have been track-tested and street-approved by racers and enthusiasts across the globe and our selection of mounts provides the perfect range of options for all styles of drivers.

Introduction to Engine Mount Materials

The hardness chart above illustrates the different materials used in the engineering and construction of our engine mounts. Simply put, the harder the mount, the better overall performance you will achieve, though sometimes at the cost of some potential NVH when driving. 

The Best Engine Mounts for Better Street Driving Performance

To help boost performance and still provide comfort for the driver we developed the VIP collection of engine mounts aimed at the street car enthusiast. These high-end engine and transmission mounts offer a similar feel to OEM rubber replacements while also giving a considerable performance improvement over stock mounts. Identical to BMW’s Factory Group N Racing Engine Mounts in density, these mounts are perfect for the enthusiast-owned BMW that will occasionally see some track days, autocrossing, and spirited driving events.

The Best Engine Mounts for Better Performance on the Street & Track

Further up the hardness and performance scale is our Classic collection made out of UHMW. These are a popular option for street-driven cars but are engineered and optimized for highly competitive racing. In fact, these are the most popular choice for all BMW spec racing classes as well as endurance racers, drifters, rallycrossers, drag racers, circle track racers, and more. Our solid UHMW mounts will last the lifetime of the vehicle and unlike other performance mounts, will not degrade, or wear over time. 

While the UHMW mounts offer the most performance and versatility for street and competitive racing, we do have an even stiffer, more performance-focused option within our catalog. 

The Best Engine Mounts for Uncompromising Track Day Excellence

Our Solid Aluminum Armageddon Engine Mount collection is a 100% high-power, high-performance engine & transmission mount that is designed for race use only. These mounts will give off the most NVH by a considerable amount and are designed for high torque applications that demand the most solid engine mounts available. The Armageddon line is strictly engineered for performance and is not recommended for any car that will see street driving scenarios. 

Our three aftermarket options are all worth considering and the best choice for you will depend on the desired performance and general application of the vehicle itself. For vehicles where comfort is a priority, the VIP line will be perfect and offers a considerable performance advantage. Meanwhile, racing/track-focused BMWs will want to consider one of the two stiffer engine mount options as they will not only outperform OEM replacements but will also last beyond the lifetime of the vehicle.

Transmission Mount Pairing

The same symptoms of worn engine mounts can be true of worn transmission mounts. It is important to inspect and if necessary replace the transmission mounts whenever you decide to replace the engine mounts.

One factor to consider when doing so is the densities of the two separate components. For maximum performance and driveability, it is recommended to similarly match the materials and densities of the engine and transmission mount materials in order to provide consistency throughout the driveline of the vehicle. For this reason, all Condor engine mounts are available to purchase with a set of matching transmission mounts.

How To Replace Engine Mounts 

All engine mount installation procedures are similar for classic BMWs, making it a DIY-friendly job that can be completed in just a few hours.

To replace engine and transmission mounts, follow these steps:

1. Safely suspend the engine and/or transmission with an appropriate support bar or floor jack.

2. Raise it high enough to remove the old mounts.

3. Remove the nuts from both sides and raise the engine to detach the engine mounts from the engine arm and the subframe/crossmember brackets. Nuts will likely be located on the top of the engine arm and bottom of the subframe depending on the vehicle.

4. Take the time to inspect the engine arm, and subframe and clean off any dirt or debris that may have accumulated over time.

5. Carefully install the new components in their correct mounting position, tightening them down loosely at first.

6. Finally, delicately lower the engine and transmission back into place and torque the new mounts to spec (check the manufacturer's instructions for proper torque settings).

The Importance of Correct Torque

One tip that will help make the installation a success is to make sure the mounts are torqued down properly to the manufacturer’s specifications. Torque specs will vary depending on the mount itself, but it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when tightening the mounts down. A mount that is too loose or too tight will cause unnecessary vibration issues and could also put unwanted, additional pressure on the actual mounts. This will negatively impact performance and drivability. 

Why Condor Speed Shop?

We at Condor Speed Shop develop all of our parts with ideal performance and longevity in mind for all styles of drivers. As racers ourselves, we know how important it is to pay attention to the small details that may result in huge performance gains. Our engine and transmission mounts have been a very popular choice for BMW racers and enthusiasts alike for many years and we are proud to offer a variety of options for some of BMW’s most iconic models. 

Optimal performance and reliability are the top priority in any replacement part or upgrade for your BMW and we can guarantee both from all of the items within our catalog. Check out our collection of engine and transmission mounts to upgrade your BMW’s performance today.