My 16-year old granddaughter is inheriting my 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible. When I purchased the car new, the car was not personalized, so I added Union Jack mirror caps and a Union Jack rear view mirror cover. At that time, when the dealer installed them, I wasn’t present.
My first question: when the mirror covers were installed, did the dealer “remove” the car’s original Chili Red or did they just snap the mirror covers on top? I’m hoping that others who have personalized their MINIs can shed some light on how the OEM covers are installed.
I have been unable to find new OEM covers for a R52, so I’ve only been able to find those aftermarket products made in China that are sold on Amazon, etc. These covers are attached using some sort of tape/adhesive.
Second question: Have other MINI owners purchased these aftermarket covers? Does the adhesive/tape hold in extreme hot/cold temperatures?
I would really appreciate any and all suggestions regarding this matter. My granddaughter gets her license in October and we want to update the MINI to fit her non-Anglophile personality.
Thanks!

 

The original MINI accessory covers are replacements, not overlays. To swap them, the mirror glass is popped off then there are 5 or 6 tabs on the back side of the cap which holds them in place.

Most of the original accessory caps are NLA. You can still get unpainted caps and chrome I believe. Otherwise you are left with the after market stick-on overlays.

 

As stated above, genuine mirror caps are replacement pieces and the MINI dealer should have offered to return the originals unless you wanted them to install the Union Jacks as a condition to purchase the car. To make the door mirror caps easier to find, you can also look for 2002-2006 caps for the hatchback.

Whether you go with new or used parts, make sure the door mirror caps will fit 2002-2006 Coopers and that the mounting clips are not broken. The cabrios were an odd one and still used the 1st generation chassis/body through the 2008 model year, while the 2nd gen cars started in 2007 so the mirror caps and all other parts won’t fit. Unfortunately, 2007 and 2008 cabrio owners occasionally end up with parts that don’t fit because of this overlap in model years and generations.

I think the interior mirror has a similar issue and they were enlarged in the 2005 “face-lift” update. There are also several variations of mirror units and they can be really expensive so it might be easier paint or vinyl wrap the Union Jack one if you can’t find a regular cover that fits.

 

Yup - I've been unsuccessfully/unable to find replacement side mirror housings for my 04 R53.
I finally had to reside to painting them.
I don't mean to come off sounding pretentious, but - If anyone decides to go this route; it should be known or be made aware of that these OEM housings are not painted.
The high gloss exterior finish is the actual "plastic" itself.
Should you decide to refurbish/re-paint them:

#1_A mild abrasive sandpaper (400 grit) is all that is needed to feather out the the oxidation and lightly scuff the plastic housing.
#2_*It is important* to use and apply a good sandable primer to the entire housing caps before laying down any paint. If not -The solvents in the paint will attack the unprotected/un-sealed plastic and cause the paint to buck/wrinkle.

Trust me.

Original worn and oxidized mirror housing sanded & ready for primer.


Properly prepped & primed for re-paint.


Acrylic lacquer painted and UV lacquer clear coated.

 

Yep, all of this above. This is all thats left for the Gen 1 MINI, the ECS ones and after market ones are overlays. Most of the graphic ones from MINI are now NLA,

They did not have a change at least in the Gen 1 MINIs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2008-...erior/Mirrors/

 

The mirror caps on both my 2003 S (checkered), and 2014 S Convertible (Union Jack) required removal of the original caps, then the new ones snap into position. There is no adhesive.