I'm working through fixing leaks in my hatch, having taken care of the wiper grommet and foam handle gasket. Now, I realize water is also passing through the clips that hold the chrome belt trim in place. From what I understand, the chrome trim does not need to be replaced but the clips do. Is this correct? There are several part numbers listed for those clips but 51317113199 is the only one that is a matching part for my car according to ECS/FCP. Does that look right?




If the clips are leaking on the hatch, should I also be replacing the ones that hold the other parts of the belt line trim? I'm hoping they aren't leaking into the body below the side windows, windshield, etc. but I don't know if its the same clip setup that would allow such a leak.

 

The leak is caused by the trim (#4 in your picture), it get hard and doesn't seal anymore. You CANNOT replace the clips holding the trim on without cutting the rear window out. Yes, it's one of the dumbest design flaws of the Mini.

Since the trim has become so expensive (€80+) I started using transparent silicone to prevent water from entering the clips. Far from ideal as jt feels like a bodge job but it worked on two cars.

 

Wait. What?

 

No joke, the flat bit with the rubber square is wider than the gap between the glass and the body panel.

Believe me, I tried with cutting bits of the new clip but you end up with nothing that resembles a clip anymore.

 

That’s screwy. I guess the design engineer responsible for weatherization of the Mini never anticipated that the seal and/or the clips would fail. But I’m not surprised, given all the other failures of the boot lid to prevent water from entering.

My trim piece is in need of a couple of new clips. Why does every Mini problem get served with a can of worms? Now I’ve got to figure out how to pull off the glass? What of the clips and trim up top?

 

I've done some more research and apparently people are getting the clips out without removing the glass: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ater-leak.html

Also, someone in an R53 Facebook group says to soak the new clips in hot, soapy water to help with the installation. I've ordered a dozen clips in anticipation of breaking some... Will see how it goes and report back in a week or so when I have time to get back in the garage.

 

there is a good video on youtube for this

the back is possible, the strip clips in the front require the window to be removed. as far as i know

 

Yes, soaking in hot water helps - not just for these, but I’ve had to do this on other clips of this material.

 

If I can recall - I think I remember clipping the little nubs off the replacement clips and adding a dab of black silicone to secure it/them in place. Yep - kinda half-*** I will admit (not the right way to do it), but in my case it worked.
Yet I don't recall if the original broken clips had a screw down that center nub?
It's been at least 10 years ago.

 

I am replying here so that I can keep track of this. I am sorry.

 

Fun fact: the first clip of both windshield trims are bonded in with black silicone. These don't hook into the scutterpanel like the rest of them as there is no hole to plug into.

 

Did you check the third brake light seal? Mine leaked and was easily fixable.

 

Surprisingly, I don't think that's leaking on mine. I've had to put the clips on the back burner and will get to it in a couple weeks. For now, the plumbers putty is holding back any rain I might briefly encounter.