EBrake Handle Removal and Swap?
 

Has anyone with the Paceman removed the handle style EBrake and swapped it out? I searched but found out dated threads with no working links on how to actually do this. My first mod when I pick up my car is to get rid of that awful handle and move to a more traditional ebrake.

Any help, info or pics would be much appreciated.

Buehler? Buehler? Anyone? Haha I am going to try this weekend since its a holiday weekend to remove this handle bar and get a traditional ebrake. Wish me luck!

Good luck. Doesn't seem that anyone has managed it yet.

Have you tried asking on the Countryman board? Same mechanicals, and it's been out quite a while longer than the Paceman.

Yeah, no one has solved it there either that I'm aware of. I'm doubtful the OP will have any luck, but it's worth a shot I guess.

I scoured the countryman forums but no real answers so I might try a DIY once I gather enough info and also speak to my MA about possible dealer installs.

I had a quick look thru the Mini UK sites and there was no solution there either...

I had a look in my car and with the way the seats are I don't think you could put a classic handle in there, it'd have to bend across and be int he space directly under the armrest, or you'd have to remove the rail completely.

I'm picking up a new JCW Paceman tomorrow, and I plan to look into an alternative for the ebrake handle.

With any luck, I'll come up with something...

Please let me know if you come up with anything! I looked into a few things this weekend and couldnt come up with much. Some have pointed out that it might be possible but then you conflict with the rail system and center console.

But, no matter what I have to pull the center console up to pull the ebrake handle up or push it down.

I see already, that this handle is a pain!
If I end up keeping the car, I'll see what I can do.

The dealership is now telling me that the 1.9% 6-year financing through MINI Financial that we agreed to and signed a contract for yesterday should have actually been 4.1%!

We haven't discussed the situation in detail yet...

Well, the car is mine; and with the 1.9% 6-year financing through MINI! :thumbsup:

I'll take a close look at the ebrake handle situation as soon as I catch up on some machine work.

I'm sure with enough ingenuity and time it can be done but I can almost guarantee it'll mean raping the rail and center console pretty badly. Not sure what could be used to fill that void.

I don't mind the brake and have actually come to like it. It does get in the way if using the rail a bit at the front but like anything I've found a workaround.

I agree! The more I look at it the more I realize a swap is probably impossible. I will have to figure something out as I go but I can deal with the handle for now and just pulling the glove box up each time.

I'd love to have a swappable E brake handle so I could use one for daily driving and another one (long upright) for brake turning ala wrc or rallyX. Lol!

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why do you have to pull up the glove box (armrest??)? We don't have to move anything to either set or release the eBrake.

I live on a hill and I need to pull the handle all the way up to secure the car from rolling back when parked. Unfortunately that notch of tightness is about an inch above where the center console sits so I have to lift it every time I park at my home. At work or errands its fine but at home not so much. I can add a picture tonight when I get home for good measure.