I have just noticed that when the passenger door is closed, the chrome trim near the window does not line up well with the rest of the trim on the rear window. It sticks out about 0.25" to 0.5". Anybody else have this issue. The drivers side door does not have this problem.

 

Hi Shane - Seems most cars coming out of the factory have this alignment issue. Personally, I noticed I was getting quite a bit more wind noise than desired once the temperatures dropped recently so the dealer adjusted both doors inwards a bit. The mismatch on the chrome trim is still there but it is less pronounced - more importantly the windows are sealing better now. Hope that helps!

 

I have the same problem but on the driver's side. Couldn't get the dealer to appreciate it or adjust the doors. Goat, did the wind noise improve significantly?

 

I haven't talked to the dealer yet. How bad is yours? Mine sticks out about 0.25". It must be adjustable.

 

My visual estimate is about 0.25''. The actual door seems relatively flush, though. The chrome belt-line trim could be re-installed I figure. I think it is just glued on. I'm learning to accept these little imperfections. If your door seems misaligned with the frame, that is another problem that the dealer should fix.

 

It seems strange to me that some cars don't have this issue. It must be the alignment of the door? There can't anything different about the trim right?

 

Guess I'm playing devil's adocate. That's what Mini quality make you do. Press on the belt-line trim, and you'll see how much it gives or moves. Compare how your driver's door, not the trim, lines up. It may very well be misaligned. Like goat said, this is a commonly reported problem. Once again, Mini quality.

 

Same .25" here just noticed it before I signed in what a co inky dink!

 

Hi guys,

To those who asked, yes, there was a reduction in wind noise after the dealer aligned the door to close a bit tighter. The trim is still not flush, however, and I do not think it can be made flush without putting the door out of tolerance so that it no longer aligns with the rear fender (i.e., solve one problem, create another, don't want to go there). To get complete silence will be impossible in cold weather with the frameless window design. Compare a 3 series coupe vs. sedan and you will hear a noticeable decrease in wind noise at the door seal with the sedan as it has both shorter doors and a framed window.

I agree that mini quality could use some improvement, especially since so many vehicles have this visual misalignment of a prominent piece of exterior trim. Still, it is not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things. IMO and experience, the car generally seems very sturdy, certainly relative to many examples of the previous generation I have sampled over the years.

 

How does one go about tightening the door? Can the latch be adjusted? Do you have to realign the hinges?