Off with those dull, ugly valve stem caps!
 

What really bothered me every time I washed the car were those ugly mushroom shaped valve stem caps. I finally got around to replacing them with a set of simple chrome caps ($3, Auto Barn), and it really improves the overall look of the wheels. I would have gotten a set of the MINI caps, but they're too tempting an item in my area, and would probably not last past the first trip to the mall. Now I can detail my wheels without wincing.

But... doesn't that affect the TPMS??

Thats funny!

Come on, you know we are going to have to see pictures...

I think I might have to replace mine with some Union Jack caps.

I've been thinking about that - but not sure if they would get stolen. Does that happen much?

sfomini - it's been my experience that any custom valve cap may easily "disappear", especially now that MINIs are getting more popular. I'm not saying that other MINI owners are the culprits, but I don't see too many Union Jack caps on Toyotas!

It it aint stock caps, it's gonna be stolen sooner or later. I learned that before on my previous car. I'd rather see ugly stock caps than no caps at all.

...at $3 per set, (75 cents per cap), I'll take my chances...

:sly:

Lost one set of "S" caps. Really liked the look of the red "S' on the chilli red
05.Sprung for another set but this time I put them on with Locktite blue. I can get them off but you really have to want to.

i had about 3 sets stolen from my old MC ... simple plain ones ...
kids just do it for kicks I think.

Griots Garage sells these, but no Mini logo available.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

can I have your old mushroom caps?

ahh ... its seems they steal them for their bikes. that explains why usually 1 or 2 were missing at a time.

...or someone's only missing one or two from their MINI...

Warning. The caps are plastic for a reason.

Right after I bought my MCS, I was shooting the breeze with the parts man, and told him about the 8-ball caps I bought. He told me about the problem with using replacement caps made with metal threads, on the TPMS valve stems. The dissimiliar metals will lock the caps on (mine had brass or copper looking thread inserts. I only had them on briefly, but found them beginning to rust on, so I put the plastic OEM's back on.

A couple days later, a friend I know, had a new Lancer, and had replaced his caps. They froze right on, one caused his valve stem to crack right off from excessive force, despite spraying with WD-40 repeatedly. He ended up having to replace the valve stem at the dealership.

That's why their plastic.

Thanks, I've never heard of that before. My old BMW had metal caps, but I believe that they were brass caps on brass valves, so there wouldn't be an issue. Not sure what the cap or valve materials are on the Clubman, so I'll keep an eye on them. If I see any issues I'll switch back to plastic. Now I'm really happy I bought the $3 caps!

All three of our MINIs have the fancy-schmancy MINI chrome caps... one has UJ, one has Checkered, and the other has the MINI Wings.

A total of 67,000 miles of Motoring and not a single stolen cap. Although I must say, a local tire shop did TRY to steal my four checkered caps but I called them out on it and got them back. :sly:

Besides, if any do get stolen, it's not like you're out big money. $16 a set is chump change when you're talking about something that adds so much appeal to the MINI. :nod:

And since this thread needs at least ONE pic:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...StemCovers.jpg

:lol::lol:

:grin: Yep, they get noticed by everyone who I pass on the highway. In fact, I got stopped by a police officer a couple weeks ago. He says, "wow, those are cool valve stem caps !! By the way, slow down". :nod:

these things are funny to me, maybe because it's all my brother-in-law remembers from our wedding in SC two years ago. He has a tricked out Mustang and the silly valvestem caps were stolen from the parking lot of the resort's complex (you leave your car and take a ferry over). Valve Stem Caps!!! :eek: Here's $11 and SHUT UP ABOUT IT ALREADY.

ok. I feel better. :lol:

:lol: :lol: Exactly... geez, it's not like someone stole one of those expensive grill badges or something ! :sly:

Would a little di-electric grease prevent the rust or corrosion?

Hey, those are pretty cool. I dig on the British flag ones they have.