A depressingly large number of discussions here relate to front or rear hub bearings which don't fit properly, run hot, have a very short life, or have other serious problems. These problems simply did not exist 20 years ago. It seems that the market is flooded with bogus parts, and some of the suppliers are clearly not using due diligence to check that the parts they are reselling are genuine. Sooner or later, there may be a serious accident involving a Mini fitted with counterfeit parts, if it has not happened already.
With that in mind, I think it apropriate to pass on some links which I became aware of at work, showing that the actual manufacturers of genuine parts are very well aware of the problem and are taking appropriate action in every case that they discover.
http://www.schaeffle...jsp?id=31165504
http://www.stopfakeb...ngs.com/#/start
The battle is not yet over, and the counterfeiters are not yet all in jail where they belong, so please do take great care in choosing your replacement parts, and avoid "non-genuine" bearings, which are likely to be dangerous junk. And, if you have what you think is a counterfeit bearing, pretending to be from a reputable manuafcturer, please do contact them and report it. That way, action can be taken.
Oh, and if you know of proven sources of genuine, high-quality parts, why not tell us? The reputable suppliers deserve our business.