I've noticed a few scratches on my fluid silver door upper trim line from the retracting seat belt clip. The clip apparently hits the trim if you let the belt go. From now on I'll be more careful and guide the clip back when I release it. They're only small scratches, but they're through the finish, and I don't think there's much I can do to fix them other than install a replacement piece of trim.

 

We have the Brushed Alloy trim where the elliptical door rings have a gray/silver matte finish (smooth and dull). In hindsight I had been thinking that Fluid Silver may have been a more durable choice in that area because of its shine, since the first time I recently attempted to clean some smudges off mine (using only a microfiber cloth and water), some of the finish/color wore right off! Hearing your story makes me think that none of optional trims are that durable. I know that Piano Black shows lots of fingerprints and scratches quite readily as well. I think MINI should have been more careful when selecting finishes that go in high contact zones.

I don't know what caused mine to show wear already after little more than a month, but I do occasionally have to push the door open using my shoulder as well as the armrest since I find it fairly heavy and it will not stay open on its own too easily. I'm trying to avoid that from now on, although I've never owned a car that showed wear spots so quickly (and I'm very careful).

In your case, in addition to guiding the seatbelt when you release it, try sliding the separate little piece of black plastic that's attached to the belt up closer to the top where it will keep the clip from falling down anywhere near the door trim. You might be able to polish the scratches out using some plastic polish. I believe a piece of replacement trim is the only option for us.

 

The belt is fine once it retracts, it's hitting the trim as it retracts, because I just unclip and let it go. I have to learn to unclip and guide it over my shoulder. The scratches are not awful, as they're fairly small and show up dull white against a silver finish. I'm just glad I noticed before I put a big gouge in the trim.

 

i iwll now release my seat belt GENTLY

 

There were some seat belt holder clip thingies that held the belt away from the pillar....somewhere on here...might help

 

...and you can't buy the seatbelt clips 'thingies' offered online because it's been dumped by the seller as a piece of junk.

 

well, then I offer you another solution...


bend to suit.