Hi NAM,

Been awhile since I started a thread but was just too distraught about what just happened a moment ago.

Just getting done with some grocery shopping and finishing loading the "boot", I go to close the hatch and *plunk* I hear a strange metallic clink of something hitting the cement pavement. Thinking something had just fallen out of my car I go down to pick up the strange metallic disk and to my amazement, upon flipping it over, it was my Mini badge!?!

Now I know this is very minor in the grand scheme of things but I'm still surprised/angry that this happened (with no prior agitation to or issues from the badge). I've owned a 2000 Honda civic and leased a 2010 Mercedes C300 and have never had to worry about badge issues.

I used to live in Chicago and remember seeing BMWs with their badges missing, thinking that all of those must have been cause by vandalism. This makes me think otherwise.

Anyway I am a least glad this didn't happen while driving down the freeway or something without the hope of recovering the badge at all. Has this happened to any of you??? I know some adhesive will do the trick but I'm sure I don't have the right stuff and just feel like this shouldn't be a problem that is my responsibility. Do you think I should take it to a dealer and let them fix it???


Pictures below (sorry for the grime ... Iowa winters...)
2012 R56 Cooper









Obligatory shot of my baby all nice and clean and beautiful

 

Mine was lost a few years back. Pure speculation - but I think what happened in my case is that moisture got under it and then froze - popping it off.

If I was in your situation I would likely just get some 2 part epoxy glue and do it myself.

 

2 part epoxy. Is that the right stuff I need? How about cleaning off the dried adhesive from the underside of the badge and the base/wings portion?

A little worried also that I may damage it in the process of gluing it back by pressing too hard and bending it.

But thanks for the reply

 

How many miles do you have on your R56? Is this a matter of warranty? I'm not sure which area of Iowa you're in, I'm in eastern Iowa, but if its a short trip to the dealer I would just go there. My rear emblem acted differently than yours. I still have the silver circle on my emblem, but the black portion delaminated, peeled and is now gone. It all happened in about a week.

I'd try gluing it back on, if things get warped or bent you can always just get a new one. I think they run about $30 or in that range.

 

About $35 new and easy to replace the whole thing. If you are going the re-glue route, clean the old off. I'd check out a body shop supplies supplier for some specific glue for badges and trim. I don't think you want something thick to make the puck stand up off the base because it would be easier for stuff to get underneath it and also easier to snag something on it and rip it off or rip what ever snagged on it. Iowa winters are tough on cars! It looks like your boot was sandblasted! I know it's just road grime though. Yuk.

 

better run out and check mine!

 

There are a number of adhesives that will outlast what's on the car. Clean and prep are the most important. Don't bother with the dealer unless you like throwing money away.

 

I'd just use a thin smear of silicone adhesive and call it a day. Cheap and easy. I used that on wheel emblems years ago on my Z3 and they're still on there.

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Just not 100% on the correct adhesive and how to clean off the dried adhesive without ruining the front with any solvent spillover. Eh minor thing I have to deal with but it's still frustrating, surprising and strange. I called my nearest dealer about an hr or so away and they said the body shop could handle it. Also just to make sure I won't have to fund this strange repair, I called mini (corporate I guess) and they made a note so I could direct my dealer's billing if they did decide to bill me for this.

If I knew the exact adhesive i should use and solvent to rid the old residue I may attempt. Just worried about bending the little metal disc still.

Thanks for replying. Looks like there are some who have run into this weird problem before as well.

 

you are WAY over thinking this ...

some double sided tape

or some epxo'

if you go the epox route watch out for over run .. . .

I lost wheel disks in the same way ... and reattached with epox' ... set it and hold in place with tape for a few hours. BUT WATCH OUT FOR DRIPS . . double sided tape is MUCH easier . . .

 

What Capt_bj said. Cut your teeth on an easy one!

You can get 3M mounting tape or if you prefer to use a glue, 3M Emblem Adhesive, at most auto parts stores. Mounting tape is what holds the 'COOPER' letters on the boot, so it's durable stuff.

 

If you completely loose the disc or the top layer of the foil comes off ( looks like the BMW badge problem without colors ), I have a mod that might work. I talked about it here , other then that its replacing the badge.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-is-gone.html

 

Hey ECSTuning

Thanks for the reply and the interesting/similar thread link. Now that I know I'm not alone in this anomaly, I'm less worried about it; misery loves company I'm taking everyone's advice and just going out to purchase some of that 3M adhesive. Researched a bit more and looks like I can get a full replacement (wings and all) relatively cheap and easy if things go south. Thanks everyone!

 

Happened to me too, glad to see that ECS carries the replacements.

 

Your welcome, gives you some options.