I've got little to complain about. 66K miles, a few serious (and not so serious) issues covered under warranty, with one SERIOUS issue covered post warranty (the evil HPFP). Great dealer experience. My years of BMW ownership prepared me for some of the downsides, but this small one bites. Big time (in a minor way). Waxing my car this weekend, the removal-rag snagged the tiny plastic end cap on the side trim below the rear side-window. It flew out into the yard (I guess). Looked it up online. It didn't appear to be available separate from the trim strip (a .25 x 36" piece of plastic that the chrome strip slips into). Dealer confirmed you have to buy the whole strip. "OK" I said, "how much for the whole strip just to get the end cap?" "$103.00," said the man behind the counter. I love my Clubman. MINI not so much.
If the clips are broke that hold it in place... just glue the fracking thing back in place. (Provided you found it in the yard)
Mine came off the driver side door and is missing. The exposed edge was kinda sharp. I just sanded it so it's no longer sharp.
Make a new cap/fix it with this: https://sugru.com/ Its about $12 for a pack of three. I found it at my local OSH, or you can order direct or from Amazon.
Yeah, that's my plan. No Clubman nearby, but the R56's end-cap may work, and my local Russian-immigrant foreign car strippers/tropical fish dealers have a couple of R56s in the yard.
Don't worry, you'll find it a few minutes after you've gone through the trouble of fixing it, then you'll have a spare... at least it always seems to work that way :lol:
You could make an interesting project out of this. Go to a Salvation Army type of store and buy an old used spatula or other kitchen appliance with a black, composite type handle. Have or borrow a Dremel tool and fashion your own part. Use clear silicone to hold it in place.
Lesson learned, be more careful when using a rag around the trim. I have had the same thing happen on my drivers door trim. After a phone call and quick trip to my local MINI parts guy and $36.44 later I had a whole new molding to custom paint Black because I lost that little end piece.
The DIY cap will bug the bejesus out of you every time you detail your MINI.... Just spend the bucks and get a new one... Keep it 100% MINI Or........ go with the gum idea, but at least make it look like Elvis...
There's a MINI dismantler in So.Cal. that you can try for the parts. I'll look up the name and PM you...
Wow.... This I gotta see... You makin that missing trim piece outta part of a cast iron skillet?:arf: