Hi All,

Just got this message from my MA..

Alan,

MINI recognizes that this is a problem on some Countryman. They are in
process of obtaining the correct updated parts. I will let you know
when they are available so that we can schedule a time for you to come
in and get them replaced. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Let's Motor!
Sincerely,

So seems that there might be a fix with the statement "updated parts".

 

Mine is peeling as well. The dealer wasn't surprised and also said Mini is aware of this as an issue. I wasn't surprised because I had read about it on this board. They are replacing the entire trim piece and not just the decal. My MA pointed out the difference of this piece on the regular Mini. He said they did not have problems with the regular Mini. It is not a decal.

First year bugs. Fortunately there is a long time before the warranty is finished to fix these types of things.
CN

 

Im peeling mine off and blacking out. No more worries..

And out of all the bugs it culd have I'll take some peeling chrome trim.. My last car was a VW CC and its was a total lemon. 15 warranty claims in 18 months..

 

My MA also told me that a bulletin was issued by the company addressing the failed belt line trim. The temporary fix is simply removing and replacing the failing component. The permanent fix will be affixed to the molding and may not shine as brightly as the current tape application. I am confident that the problem will be fixed. Other than the failing trim, I like my Countryman.

 

I am getting my temporary fix done tomorrow. They are installing new trim pieces (thus the temporary comment). Also getting an oil change and complimentary mud flaps installed.

 

Took it in today to get 5-pieces of trim replaced and they ended up replacing it all. They still acted like they hadn't ever seen this before and hasn't heard anything about this issue from Mini. Will see if these hold up at all.

Also got my free mud flaps installed. Looked like a couple of noobs working on it as I could see then holding pieces and looking at an instruction book.

While there got an oil change also.

 

Do you know if your new trim are the same design as the old ones or did you get a new improved version? We have the peeling trim problem too. Our MA says the replacement trim is still on back order but we don't know what is coming, the same design or something new.

 

Replaced trim is the exact same design. They have had it for about a month now for me. Was debating even getting it installed if they are going to come out with a design. I was finally sick enough seeing the tape hanging there so I couldn't take it any longer. I am sure by the time the redesign is ready they will need to be replaced again anyway. I will actually be suprised if these last more than a week.

 

After only 1600 miles, my chrome trim is also peeling. The rear quarterpanel, and the front hood trim are both peeling away. I can't believe how cheap this trim is. A piece of plastic with a chrome tape applied... Horrible for this price level

For everyone's benefit, I was well aware of this potential issue, so I inspected my car closely every day. Mine definitely did not have any evidence of peeling until today. This is the first day the car sat outside in 100+ deg F weather. It looks like the tape lost it's stick, AND the plastic trim expanded more than the metal tape. Result is a de-laminated trim. So, if you want to run your car thru the accelerated peel test, park it outside in this hot weather, and look at the trim before it cools down. Mini should have known of this issue, and any good automotive supplier would have tested their product at this temperature range before delivering. I've never owned a MINI before, and I sure hope this is not an indication of the quality of product they build.
I will bring it to the dealer tomorrow and see what they say. I will not accept a replacement trim piece of the same design, unlessthey can show me why it wont delaminate the same way the next time I get the car hot. WAPOS.

Mark.

 

When I bought my Countryman S two weeks ago, my MA told me the peeling trim was a known issue and that a fix was coming. Since this was my second MINI purchase with my MA and I'd had previous CEL issues with my other MINI (2010 Clubman) that they resolved, I have no doubts this won't be corrected. I am far more satisfied with my CMS than I was with the Clubman and I loved that car.

Different, but related topic, according to a bulletin released last week, when iOS5 is released, the iPhone snap in cradle in the arm rest will not be required to use all the features of MINI Connected.

 

My MA down here in SoFla said they just got a bulletin and its going to be 30 days, so figure MINI is developing a permanent fix (better be)!

Other than the chrome scotch tape, and the cheap cell phone holder that clips into rail desintegrating into about 10 pieces after only two weeks, I am happy with the car.

 

100% agree with the exploding cell phone holder!!!

 

Mine blew up the first second I tried to use it. The advisor went to the next CM on the floor and gave me that one. I have never used it. The whole rail system sucks IMO..

Love my CM though..

 

I wondering if they actually tested this car before launching it (heat, cold, etc). The chrome trim problem seems strange it wouldn't surface in testing.

 

I just had all the trim pieces replaced about 1.5 weeks ago and the new ones are already peeling and shrinking. Called the dealership this afternoon and told them to put me on the waiting list for the redesigned pieces and they didn't have any idea what I was talking about.

 

Count me as a member of the peeling trim club. The Mr. was washing light white yesterday and called me over and showed me a piece that was peeling on the driver's side rear quarter panel. Its been rotten hot here too - over 100 degrees several days.

I'm calling my MA tomorrow and will report back on what he says. I definitely want a permanent fix for all the trim - not just more cheap tape. What a lousy choice for MINI to make. That said, I still love my car!

 

MA passed this on today.Sounds like it might be a while.

 

Glad to know the 2012's will have the same problem! Can't wait to inspect mine when it comes off the boat.

 

Actually, the response from the MA that mini addict posted is very encouraging. Everything I have seen to date is failures on vehicles built since March 2011, or later. The Tech Service response also lists March 2011 as the initial date the problem occured. I'm hopeful they have truly identified the root cause, and will be implimenting a fix that actually works.
This is the FIRST piece of information about the problem that makes me think MINI is actually looking at the issue. I look forward to their fix.
I now have driven over 2,000 miles on my CM, and this is the ONLY issue that has come up. Not a rattle. Not a problem. Gas mileage well above what I expected. (I'm averaging just under 31 MPG with the All4, MT, and 17" wheels). Now, if they fix this one for good, I can say this car is as good as it gets.

Mark

 

Memo to the "Special Task Force":

Here's your solution.

It's called VHB (Very High Bond).

Pssssssssst, It's a 3M product.

But don't tell em I told ya.


Hobie

 

Ok, so everything was ok before March 2011? So lets find the guy that changed the way the parts were made after that point and slap him upside the head. Then thank him for putting us through this. And also for costing MINI money to fix this mess.

I also want a video posted on YouTube with him telling the world that MINI is still a quality car and that he is a butthead. Then someone come up behind and put a pie in his face. LOL!

 

So nobody with a car produced before march has this problem?

 

My car rolled off the assembly line in Jan. I see absolutely no problems with my trim. Didn't even know it was chrome tape til I saw my friend's car that he picked up a month ago. I wonder what they've been doing differently since March that's causing the defect.

 

[FONT=Calibri]Yeah, it would seem to be some sort of problem with the adhesive and you would have to wonder why they couldn’t figure out what they were doing right before. But that being said I do hope they come up with something better than chrome scotch tape. How long is that stuff going to last even so?[/FONT]

 

mini probably doesnt make the trim piece honestly. I am sure it is farmed out to someone. Somewhere in the manufacturing process a cheaper adhesive was used to cut cost and of course it sucks. Now mini must go back to the maker of the trim piece and get them replace all the bad ones. This is going to take some time IMO