Do a search on valve stem caps. Someone already posted all the MINI OEM part numbers for each style. Your dealer can order them.

 

Our you can get them here for about $15
http://www.outmotoring.com/
I ordered two sets as kids love to take these things!

 

No mention on that site on the type of cap, metal or plastic. MINI makes both types, and they have different part numbers.

 

I contacted them and they carry both types. The metal ones are significantly more expensive and not what we want. Ordered the plastic ones.

 

Thanks. It's interesting that an aftermarket vendor has MINI parts that some MINI dealers claim don't exist. I guess for some MINI parts departments it's easier to just say no than to look up a part number.

 

I can definitely say that steel to aluminum corrosion can cause a problem. My daughter picked up her Cooper S in November '07 and within a week all four of the valve caps were gone. I bought a replacement set at a local auto parts store. I picked the chrome metal ones for $3.50 because the plain plastic ones were $1.99. I put them on and they looked fine.

Luckily, a couple of days ago I read about the corrosion issue here and checked them. Sure enough, they wouldn't come off easily. I had to get a 7/16" wrench and hold the valve stem tight and twist the caps off with a pair of pliers after spraying them with WD-40. The corrosion was not that bad yet so no major damage was done. I found a replacement set of aluminum caps that are basically some shiny aluminum formed over a regular black plastic cap. They look pretty good.

I'm really glad I read about this before the corrosion became a real problem.

 

It is amazing how many BMW parts departments put you on hold for a nice wait while they "go get Herman" who knows about that "MINI stuff".

Unfortunately after a long wait on the telephone, "Herman" does not know and cannot be troubled to learn his own stock either....

 

Especially when it's all on a computer right in front of them. Unless Herman is the name of the parts computer. (Herman's down, Herman's got a virus, Herman's locked-up, Herman's slow today, etc...)

 

Caps arrived today and they are in fact the original, OEM, plastic caps with the union jack on them. Glad I ordered two sets!

 

Oh, for Heaven's sake! As others have already stated, put some anti-seize compound on the threads and use whatever you like. You guys who worry about stuff like this really need to get a life...

-RW-

 

Wow, that wasn't very nice.

 

You're absolutely right, Lady G. I hereby apologize for my intemperate remark, it was un-called for. I'm truly sorry...

 

My MA gave me a set of Mini Logo Caps. They appear to have a "Metal" that appears as Brass on the Inside. They have a PN 36 11 0 146 466
I check the pressure every 3 or 4 weeks and they have "Never" seemed to have seized in any way. I tighten them pretty snug and they don't get loose either.
I like them and they Look good.

Just Noticed the package says solid Brass with chrome finish...
.