I make no bones about my opinion on some of the design choices on the F56! One thing I really hate is the "Lego" style JCW blind ring. I understand that it is calibration for the led tachometer....but the one on my new JCW has to go.
Was wondering if anyone knows if the blind ring off the MCS will fit? I would think the insides of the ring would be the same so the ring should be a direct swap.
BMW part # 65509354400 (plain gloss black)
JCW Part # 65509338328


The cost of the MCS Blind Ring is $36 delivered. Looks like the JCW one is way more....

 

It will work. The part #1 it fits on is the same.

 

Good spotting. Also means that non jcw cars can install the jcw blind ring if they like the look.

 

What do you mean by "calibration"?

I had to Google to see what the JCW version looks like. Ewww, that's really gaudy and tasteless. I'd get rid of it too.

 

rkw. You know how you can have the led "light show" turned on on the center console. (My has always stayed off) One of the things is can do is look like a tachometer. The white ring grows around the outside and then turns red at 6500rpm. The JCW ring has marks on the outside that correspond to the RPM. Great idea MINI!

 

I'm with you, GregoryK...

That is the one bit on the JCW I plain don't like. It's too busy and kind of gaudy.

Let us know how the swap goes though!

 

I had no idea that dash piece was called a 'Blind Ring'

I was almost thinking there was something related to a Blind Spot warning on the new MINI

 

I think the term comes from industrial piping - it's a type of flange cover for a pipe. I think.

 

Did someone say "gaudy and tasteless" ! I'm all in on that, too bad I can't put that on my Countryman, would certainly spice up the interior.

btw - I consider most modern cars to be "gaudy and tasteless" with an overabundance of plastic inside.

 

Just kind of wonder how difficult it will be to take that off and replace with the Blind Ring? Mini usually doesn't make it easy to make what you think would be an easy swap. But I'm with you all on replacing that ring. Talk about overworked and gaudy!

 

Simple 2 pins at the bottom....just pull them out. I just pulled one out with my finger
!

 

Knowing MINI, that almost sounds, no that does sound too easy. Thanks for the information, now if I can only remember this when the time comes. I remember when I first looked at the new JCW in person, that ring was the first thing that caught my attention, no pleasantly. The MA wasn't too excited about my comment either.

 

Any more news, hopefully favorable, on your JCW? I just can't believe all the bad luck you've had with this car, then you had that with your previous one too?
My two experiences have been just about perfect, no glitches, made the boat the first day at the dock, 6 days across the big pond, and I had it less than a week later. Chicago deliver, by the way, but I feel for you. This experience can be frustrating anyway but have added problems, well sucks.
Anyway I hope things get better for you so that you finally enjoy a very nice car.

 

hemi - Well I have my blind ring sitting in the basement so will put it on a post a picture when MINI can get the JCW to do more than 10 mph! One week to wait....if the dots aline!

 

In fact so easy ......I pulled it while driving.....of the loaner! All back now though :-)

 

Lordy! They just don't believe in screws anymore do they? I just can't wait for snap together engines!

 

Papa -All those new industrial designers grew up playing with Lego not Meccano! I'm sure you remember all those small screws.....

 

I've just picked up my manual JCW (in the UK) and it came with a black blind ring with no markings on at all.

My dealer thinks it's because I went for the piano black interior. Personally I think they just messed up at the factory, although I'm not fussed because I was going to change it myself anyway.

 

I've got the Piano Black on my JCW 6MT order, so lets see what I get when it arrives. I'd actually prefer the plain black. Now all I need is a production date!

 

I would have your dealer give you the JCW ring... it is expensive. If you want to sell it you can or have it if you every resell the vehicle.


BTW I have a piano black and I have the JCW ring. It is clearly a mistake. Just make sure you have the correct engine! :-)

 

I've asked them to chase up what has gone on with the ring. Seems weird to be making a fuss about something I really don't like (the JCW ring), but then there is the principle of the dealer trying to mug me off.

One of the first thing I thought after I noticed it was wrong was, 'I hope they put the right engine in'. Do you know if there is there an easy way to triple check S vs JCW? It's got the extra radiator down where the fog light would be!

 

I'm sure it's the correct engine! But you clearly have a Friday car. Incorrectly installed and missed by the checker....
I'd make sure you have the JCW gauges as you might have the wrong dash.

 

So I've got an update on my blind ring situation. I sent an enquiry to MINI UK and this is what they have told me:

"The rev counter markings and John Cooper works (JCW) branding on the blind ring, around the central instrument binnacle isn't standard - this is an added option on this model."

I've pointed out that it is an option that doesn't appear anywhere on any options lists I've seen, but they don't seem to care!

 

that's BS. I've never seen a JCW without it!

 

Agreed on the BS. It's a specific part number listed in the parts microfiche strictly for the JCW. Your dealership should be able to easily rectify the situation, whomever you contacted at MINI UK doesn't know their own product.