I am embarrassed to have to admit that I messed up the passenger rear black plastic wheel arch. There was some tar on it and I used a Mr Clean Magic eraser with some vinyl cleaner to clean it off. I got the tar off and everything looked good until a few days later when the vinyl cleaner dried up and left some grayish looking fine scratches behind.
Anyone have a part Number and approximate replacement costs of the right rear wheel arch and how to replace it?
2008 MCS Hardtop

 

On the first generation MINI, the most expensive arch piece was only $35 or so at the dealership. It's pretty easy to install as well... usually only 3-4 clips (they come new on the arch) and maybe a screw or two.

 

vinyl cleaner will do that. Try some Maguires Back to Black or the trim dye from Griots.

 

I just found out that the dealer will sell it to me for $47 and $114 installed. Not all that unreasonable but hopefully someone can help me out as to how to replace it myself. I am guessing that I would have to remove the wheel, remove the inner wheel well cover and then be able to get at however the piece is attached. I just don't want to break anything unnecessarily and cause more heartache to my stupidity!
I think I'll try the Maguires or Griots idea first.

 

Better yet...try some Black WOW

 

I managed to scratch my front right wheel arch, parking too close to a light post trying to stay away from a large pickup truck so the doors wouldn't hit me...

I have some Black WOW on order to see it will help make the scuffed area look better. If that doesn't work, I may be replacing the arch.

 

I have had the back off.

You have to take the wheel well off.
It has a variety of fasteners (don't remember them all)
But you'll need a little socket, I think a torx socket,
and a phillips screwdriver.

There are 3 or 4 white button type clips that hold
the plastic arch on. Just go ahead and buy these too.
Even if you are super super careful and don't break one
I found out when you use them twice they just don't hold
on as well and that arch is kinda lose.

I'm sorry I can't give you the exact how to. I was taking off the
bumper and there was maybe 60 of these little clips, screws and bolts
to figure out.

But it's not hard to get that arch off.
Take the tire off and you'll see all the little screws
for the wheel well. Once that is off the arch just
pops out.

 

Yes try some Black Wow. It will probably fix it.

 

The Black WOW makes a difference. The scuff is still there, but not as noticeable.

 

yeah, just black wow it. You probably wont even notice it after the black wow.

 

Black Wow from Way Motorworks.

The Magic Eraser works fine by itself with it's mild solvent. But there are other cleaners that use abrasives and that isn't good on soft plastic...
The meatheads that PDI'd my car used steel wool to clean the arches and left smooth spots; the dealership replaced the offended arch under warranty (finally) last week.

 

If Black Wow doesn't work, I would just cough up the money and let the dealers replace it. Best of luck.

 

Can you tell we're fans of the Black Wow? :-) Let me dig through my parts list when my car was in the body shop and find you a part number and cost.

 

call morristown mini to order the part it will probably be less expensive shipped than your dealership is picking it up yourself. google it for the link and phone number.

 

Thanks eveyone for all your help and input. I'll order some Black Wow. However a friend of mine loaned me some Back to Black and I put it on the car yesterday and it covered up the marks!

 

If you have driven in Toronto, well anywhere for that matter the increasing number of MINI's around. I bought my Mini Cooper in 2003 and still is running reasonably well minus the few parts I have had to replace over the years. I really don't mind if I have to replace something that is broken or whose life has come to an end, but when stolen that really P's me off. My wife and I attended a movie this afternoon and when we came out I found my right Wheel Arch ripped off my car. I suspected maybe some kids, but after careful examination I discovered the person or persons that removed my arch knew exactly what they were doing and I suspect were planning to replace one on their car that became missing or had to be replaced. Now I have to go to MINI and request that this be installed, I read on here that cost $147 for part and installation. So next time you're in Toronto or planning to go out to the movies, be careful where you park your MINI because someone might be out to remove parts from it.

 

OMG! I don't know what's worse... the fact that a MINI owner would have stolen a trim piece from you or that the dealership would try and charge you $147 to replace a black plastic arch piece. I purchased a completely new set of arches and trim for somewhere around $300 from the parts desk (not including the long mouldings under the doors... those are $80 each for the stock S parts on my '06).

I couldn't imagine that it would take more than 30 minutes to replace any piece of arch trim on the car... that's in my garage, assuming that I'd have to take a wheel and wheel liner off!

If you feel like driving down to Dallas, I'll do the work for free! :D

 

~80 part, $70 for labor doesn't sound outrageous.

 

Yeah... but the poster said that it was the 'arch' piece that was taken. Even the most expensive arch piece on an R50-53 was only $30.

That means $117 for labor for a 30 minute job (tops - probably less if you have done it a few times... possibly as quick as 1 minute to install).

 

took me exactly 20 minutes to remove all four for painting

 

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to reply to this and vent that the same thing happened to me right out front of my house in Seattle. Someone tore the rear wheel arch off my Mini and I also originally thought it was some kids until I noticed they took the trouble to unplug it. I guess I can be thankful they didn't rip the wire out. But it still makes me furious. I got a used one on ebay for $90 including the reflector.

 

Crazy someone would steal a wheel arch and to know to unplug it ?

Here the list of wheel arches, these are the stock black ( Non primed version ) Some people dependent on the body kit and JCW Aero kit will have these factory primed to be painted.

They dont come with the corner marker lenses but they do come with new clips. There has also been an part # update on some of these. Here is the newest.

Example :





Cover For Wheel Arch - Driver Side front fender 51777343341

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51777343341/



&

Cover For Wheel Arch - Passenger Side front fender 51772751318

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51772751318/




----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Not for the Clubman models *


Cover For Wheel Arch - Driver Rear Side ( Left ) Part # 51772751321

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51772751321/



&

Cover For Wheel Arch - Passenger Rear Side ( Right ) Part # 51772751322

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51772751322/




Watch when taking of the panels. To take off the other panels you could use a tool from the plastic trim tool kit and then use a towel so you down scratch the paint near the arch. Needle nose works if you try to save the clips and poking through the holes.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES517779__ES2500877/





Thanks and hope that helps.


Thanks