Opening up a old thread cause I was wondering,,,,,, Hows the body panel fit on your 2011 Mini's ?? I LOVE my 2011 Mini S, I really do and I really have no complaints except the bonnet on one side does not quite line up with the fender. maybe 1/8" off just on the left side. Its minor and I may or may not mention it to dealer ( sometimes you try to get something perfect you end up screwing it up worse) but was wondering, everyone happy with fit and finish on their 2011s?

 

2010 here, so no constructive comment about 2011s...but you can adjust that bonnet by way of the rubber bumpers underneath...same kind as on the rear hatch.

 

I just found out today that those Rubber Boot Bumpers actually screw in and out...did not know that??!!

 

Lest we forget that MINIs like most things are mass produced? No amount of QC/QA will catch everything. For what it's worth, there is a point at which they will ship a vehicle with minor defects for the dealer to fix so as not to hold up production.

 

Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers...lol
yeah those things help flush the boot with the rest of the tail. I believe the bonnet has them too. I had to turn out one of mine on the right side to have it even.

 

It is strange to hear people talk about QC/QA in a British built automobile! There is none. All you have to do is look at the British automobile industry to see that. There are only 2 British marques still produceing cars, Morgan & TVR. All the rest have been bought by other countries (Jaguar = Chinese, Lotus = Malasia) or other automotive companies (BMW, VW, etc.).
Those automotive giants do not care about QA in a small market vehicle such as the MINI. Quanity counts more. The British never were very big on QA when they had a pretty strong automotive industry. Lucas electrics, SU carbs, were big reasons that British cars were lacking in reliable transportation. Anyone who owned a MG. Triumph, Austin Healey, Jaguar, Lotus, Rover, Sunbeam, in the 60's & 70's can tell you about poor quality in British cars.
BMW does not want to admit to the faults in the MINI's. Faults mean recalls, recalls mean lawsuits, lawsuits means money. Look at Toyota's recent recalls.
Be grateful with what you have. At least this MINI is not produced by that wonderful partnership of British government & the British automotive industry that created British Leyland!