I've got chrome mirror caps on my month-old 2005 Cooper, only because they were bundled in with the chrome bumpers (a seriously lame decision on MINI's part, and simply an excuse to gouge use for an additional $130 for the option).

I intended to switch for white ones as soon as I got the car, but something that my MA said stuck in my mind: that the chrome caps were easier to keep clean of bug guts. This was definitely an issue with my old white mirror caps; there were bug guts that could not be removed, even with clay.

So, I know the chrome caps haven't been around for as long, but can anyone weigh in on this? I'm still leaning toward switching to the whites, especially since I already have a driver's side one, and only need a passenger side.

 

We ordered the Chrome-lined exterior (and interior) with our CR MCC. It added the chrome boot hinge covers, grill inserts, roll bar covers and the mirror caps. I too wasn't sure about the mirror caps but wanted the rest of the package. We've had the MCC since November and I've decided I like them.

I hand wash "her" MINI at least once a week and the mirror caps are really easy to clean. I'm not at all worried about scratching of chipping them like I might have been with colored caps. IMHO, the chrome exterior looks really good with CR but I don't think it looks as good on many of the other color offerings.

 

I agree with bidimini. I've had the chrome caps for about 6 months now and I love them. Very easy to clean. Though I have several coats of Zaino on them, so that might be making it even easier.

 

I love the chrome caps. I switched mine from HB to chrome within the first few days. They do seem to clean up quite easily, but then again I really didnt get any bug guts on the HB ones. The chrome make it POP just a bit in my opinion.

 

I have had the chrome caps since I got my MINI. They are very easy to clean and I really don't find that many bugs on it. Although I do see where a rock nicked it. They really make the car look good.



Art

 

What annoys me most is that the chrome package on the Cooper still leaves you with black plastic side vents. These should be chrome too! It is so obvious that they should be that it is just wrong for MINI to ignore this!

 

If they did change the black side vents would make it like the MCS.



Art

 

Yeah, but not in a bad way, like the hood scoop or the gas cap.

Thanks for the input on keeping the chrome caps clean. My car is chili red, and I do like the way the chrome caps look, but the more I consider it, the more I think I prefer the white ones (especially since I could sell the chrome caps). I'll just have to be more vigilant about waxing them and keeping them clean.

 

I have white caps on my MINI and have no problems keeping them clean. With a couple of coats of wax (so far I've used both NXT and Zaino at different times) the bug remains come right off.

But waxing regularly seems to be the key. My wife's MINI has dealer-installed BEP caps that I haven't been able to wax them yet (gotta wait for the paint to cure completely) and the buggies are a lot harder to remove.

 

Anyone use some greasy bug remover stuff?

 

CHROME Rules!!

 

Ya mean like this.








But keeping them waxed, makes getting them to look like this easy