Work necessitated I take the Mini to the shop in the trailer, so I put the factory Chili Red tow eye in the front, one I painted in the back. So, of course, the front one was "removed by the tech to be put away, and set on his toolbox where it got stolen". Fun thing to find out at 8PM when service is closed and the trailer is there waiting to be loaded New car sales threw one at me out of a new car so I could at least get the car home that night, I certainly hope he didn't break anything on the rear hatch when he 'closed" it

So, now the dealer says the part number for the tow eye brings in a plain silver one. Of course, he doesn't even offer to paint it for me, just says thats the way it is. Now, I can paint it, thats not the issue, but if I knew the correct P/N I could have them order it in..

Anyone?

 

I did not know they came in red. The one for my GP was silver. I powdered coated mine red.
On realoem.com I could not find the tow hook in the GP section. I could find it for a stardard R53. The R53 numbers are:
72158108670 (ended) and replaced with 72157203519.
Maybe the "ended" P/N was red.

 

Mine was red from the factory, and I believe powder coated as it was quite resistant to chips vs the one I painted. You might be on to something with the "ended" P/N... Thanks for the help

 

I don't think so. My tow hook was one of the first off the boat and it is also silver. I believe the red tow hooks are specific to the limited GP production.

 

My thoughts also, and it is a GP...

 

Both my GP's were silver (1118 & 1425) sold 1425 but just doubled checked 1118. Were you orig owner? If not they may have done the powder coating.

 

Good point, I bought it at 1200 miles.. Guess I'll break out the caliper paint again

 

Yeah they came in silver. I put red Plasti-Kote from Home Depot it gives it a red rubber coat, kinda like the handles on pliers. Front one has been used a number of times, and still holding up.
heres some for cheap on ebay:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_n...All-Categories

 

Thank you Sir!