R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Body work- wheel arch trim bosses

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 06:45 AM
  #1  
madcanvis's Avatar
madcanvis
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 196
Likes: 53
From: New England
Body work- wheel arch trim bosses

Occasionally I take my 3 season mini into a touch free carwash to get the undercarriage.

I recently had a body shop fix the rear light pocket rust bubble, and he did an amazing job blending in. So much so that I asked him to respray the hood scoop insert that was fading a bit.

Now when I take the car thru the "touchless" the rear wheel arch trim goes flying off in the dry cycle. After scurrying back into the bay for the part, I can easily pop it back on.

The issue is that when the bodyshop blended the back quarter and added the topcoats there's no more bite on those threaded bosses that stick out off the wheel well.

Im thinking Double bubble (epoxy) maybe. Any thoughts for a remedy would be appreciated?
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 07:01 AM
  #2  
ramjet77's Avatar
ramjet77
3rd Gear
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 27
From: Seattle
I'd suggest using hot melt adhesive as you'll have a better chance of replacing it without damaging the bodywork
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 09:41 AM
  #3  
N2MINI's Avatar
N2MINI
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 17
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_4275

Are you talking about the Plastic Fender Flare? It's held on with plastic push pins I thought...and can be replaced..
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 09:57 AM
  #4  
Fly'n Brick's Avatar
Fly'n Brick
6th Gear
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 393
From: In the here and now, for now.
I'd suggest never taking any MINI thru any kind of car wash for any reason. MINIs and car washes do not play well together as you've discovered.
This thread is no different than the multitudes echoing the same result that have gone on before.
Hand wash only and if water is a problem like in some places, major car care companies have really good waterless car wash products...an example:
https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...fType=&from=fn
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 10:10 AM
  #5  
pnwR53S's Avatar
pnwR53S
6th Gear - NAM Hall of Fame
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,967
Likes: 393
From: soggy pnw
I bet to differ. The Mini wheel arch trims are very secure until someone mess with them and not install them back with care. They take a lot of force to remove. They are plastic parts and most often the snap on thingies got squashed or broken in the process.

Im thinking Double bubble (epoxy) maybe. Any thoughts for a remedy would be appreciated?
Examine carefully to see if anything are missing or broken, and see how it is supposed to be secured.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 11:45 AM
  #6  
N2MINI's Avatar
N2MINI
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 17
That's just it those plastic connectors can be replaced on the cheap and then no more flying flares...
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2018 | 12:32 PM
  #7  
pnwR53S's Avatar
pnwR53S
6th Gear - NAM Hall of Fame
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,967
Likes: 393
From: soggy pnw
fotos of wheel arches

I have a lot of fotos of the rear wheel arches and the plastic retainers here. They don't come off without a fight.

one of many fotos
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
OutMotoring
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
5
May 31, 2016 06:27 AM
fozworth
Interior/Exterior
3
Oct 22, 2006 11:25 AM
atn57
Miscellaneous Event Discussion
9
Apr 1, 2004 09:56 PM
OctaneGuy
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
7
Nov 6, 2003 02:32 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:05 AM.