I also did the air vent installs this past weekend. Everything went well except when I reinstalled the A pillars. They do not fit flush and line up with the headliner at the top. Anyone else have this issue?

 

Yesterday I took a '12 shift trim ring with chrome and a '13 shift trim ring without chrome to make a '13 with chrome trim. (not available through mini).

After some cutting, cursing, and luck I have a '13 shift trim ring with chrome trim. Not too hard but I needed to cut the chrome to fit the matte black trim ring.

I'll post a photo if anyone is interested

 

This proved to be the most difficult part for me as well. I must have installed/uninstalled/installed five times for each side. Just keep at it and you will get them to line up.

I was thinking about doing the same thing. Would love to see a pic of the final product.

 

all my parts are now on the way for the vent trims, speedo mickey and larger cup holder ( thanks for expediting shipping ESC even tho i just chose ground)

are there any tips, tricky spots or writeups on the dash trim removal/installation ?

 

You are welcome.

Glad you got your parts for the upgrade.

 

I would like to install the new shift boot trim ring, but do not need the larger cup holders. Will I have to install the larger cup holders to get the new trim ring to fit?

 

Nope. Should fit without a problem. They are the same size. The new ones just had indentions to accommodate the bigger cup holders

 

Looks like I am finally getting my updated air vents tomorrow! Project for this weekend! Too bad the Speedometer one is still on back order. Been over 2 months. Darn it MINI, hurry it up with the production! Haha!

 

When I ordered and received the wrong console, I needed the one to fit the toggle for mini connected/Nav. I kept the new black boot trim. I thought i'd use it with my old unit until the correct one came it, but it did not fit right. It fit, but it did not snap in correctly as it did with the new style. When the correct larger console came in this week... New trim fit like a glove. Could of been just mine, 1 out of a thousand mis-fit... Well worth the try for minimal cost of a new trim ring....

 

my mickey ring came in from ESC, check if it's in stock there.

i replaced the cupholders, vents, and mickey today and everything took about an hour total. the screw behind the glove box was the most difficult part and by that, it only required a steady hand because i didn't have magnetic bits. plastic trim removal tools are a must and save a lot of scratched plastic.

i LOVE the new completely black dash, it was well worth the price of the parts to me.

 

saw the black dash pieces finally in a 13 and mickey mouse didn't line up properly, any one get the parts recently and have them sit flush? I'm hoping MINI tweaked the parts recently cause I'm itching to purchase

 

When I first installed the center speedo the top was not flush, but after a few days in the hot sun the plastic molded to a nice fit with no bulges ar gaps.

 

Mine doesn't sit flush and I don't see how anyone's would. The new piece has a slightly larger diameter on all 3 circular pieces. It looks fine to me, though.

 

Okay... I removed my '13 dash to paint the lower side trim pieces (looks quite nice by the way).
After reinstalling the big Mickey trim piece the '13 trim is not as tight of a fit as it was before. The gap is worse and doesn't look as clean.
So, I am quite sure their MUST me some adjustments possible as I had a good fit prior to me removing the trim.
I'll update this post on what I find out and hope it is good news

 

Just so you know, you didn't have to remove the '13 trim to get those pieces off. Next time just use a butter knife or interior trim removal tool on the bottom.

 

this is what i noticed as well, it's nothing that really bothers me. i'm just happy the the dash doesn't have a playskool look to it anymore.

 

Thanks.. I noticed this after I took it off. Doh!!

Cheers

 

Going onto 3 months waiting for the speedo trim piece from Sewell. I got to admit that is pretty ridiculous. Especially from MINI. Anyone else have been waiting that long? I mean I can get a new MINI ordered and delivered in half the time.

 

Not for sure if this article applies to Mini's spare part chain supply as well.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...are-parts.html

 

Thanks for the article. Maybe I should complain to the USA headquarters so that I can add onto the people who are frustrated by this. For the prices we pay, there shouldn't be shortages and delays like this.

 

I also installed the larger cup holders this weekend to compliment the dash improvements. I really like the look, much more classy and modern. Now I have to wait a month or so to receive the larger rubber inserts.

 

The larger cup holders was one of the first things I did. Love the improvement.

On a side note, my speedo trim finally got sent from Sewell and I will be receiving it tomorrow! Yes! Strange though that my order finally gets completed right when I was about to call MINI USA to complain about the long wait. Coincidence or conspiracy? Haha!

 

I called Sewell on Thursday...they told me December of this year...I called my dealer the same day....On Monday my dealer had one for me, and installed today. My dealership saw 4 in the country, Sewell saw 0...cant explain that one....but I love my new all black trim!

 

That is very strange indeed. Nevertheless I am happy finally completing my '13 upgrade. Now for the '14 upgrade in the rear. (Cup holders & armrests). :-)

 

Any news about the horizontal elements piano black aftermarket?
Part #2 #3 and #4

I'm also very interested in how to install them on a model with the basic dashboard...

Thanks