So it is 25 degrees outside and I walk downstairs to find that both a pillar moldings have come un-done at the top where it connects to the weatherstripping. What do you guys recommend using to attach both of them? What sort of expoxy should I use? I have seen other minis with this same problem. I don't know why this wasn't previously addressed with the r53 etc.. by the manufacture.

Any help would be great!

thanks.

 

The a pillar covers or the small corner trim pieces at the top ?

If the top corner L shaped trim is coming loose, I found the problem to be the slot which holds the push clip in place was cracked. So the clip with the felt washer would not secure it down properly. In my case, many years of replaced windshields caused this to happen.

Problem is that this little L shaped piece at the top of the A pillar is not available separately from MINI. It is part of the top gutter rail trim that is about 5 feet long....and 65 dollars each side.

I just used some 3 minute epoxy from the hardware store to secure the push clips into the trim's slots in the back. When they were dry ( I waited half a day so it was solid ) I got proper alignment with that pin clip and the side rail trim and pushed it home. So far both sides are on there really really good.

Just be sure that the L shaped piece's part which slides into the longer trim piece is in properly before pushing the pin clip so nothing snaps or cracks.

If the A pillar cover is coming loose, you may have to remove it and with new clips from your MINI dealer re-install it....again, replacing the windshield will break clips and if anyone but the dealer replaces the windshield, odds are the "van guy" has no clips in his bag of tricks to put these pieces back on correctly....

 

just get new clips.....
Often if the pillars have fallen off...they have fallen off or been removed previously....and the foam gasket that sit behind it is missing...so just pushing it into place with new clips might allow extra wind-noise in....and glueing it on may cause issues in the future....like what do you do when you need to replace the windshield!!?
The OEM used plastic clips for a reason....so it COULD be removed, since it may need to be removed....as the previous poster said...the windshield may have been removed...and some/all the clips may have been damaged/broken....and the "van guy" just shoved it in place....
I saw a very accomplished Windshield guy replace a windshield on a r50....turns out ALL the spacer clips that hold the windshield were CUT from the previous windshield removal, and the windshield was just sitting in place....just the glue was holding it...no clips...and the side parts had just been stuck on with double sided tape....
The "good" windshield guy stopped everything....got the right parts, and fixed it right...resulted in a 4 hr delay due to the run to MINI for the parts...but it was done right...not just closed up and out of mind!!
I saw right then that is why my MINI guy Pete at Greasy’s Garage in Worcester, MA is so pickey about who he will let work on a MINI....some things about the car is VERY unique, and the folks that work on it MUST acknowledge this, and do it right or there will be $$ to pay later!!
This Windshield guy is the one Pete at Greasy’s Garage recommends...and having seen what a average "hack" car repair/glazing monkey can do to a MINI, I know why he has a list of folks he will use/recommend.
Anybody getting a new windshield should IMO check with their MINI dealer or a MINI centric shop and get a recommendation....just opening the yellow pages might lead to a disaster!!

 

Thanks a lot guys it is now snowing like Siberia here so I haven't gotten around to it. I will definitely take both of your advice! Thanks again!

 

I think my glass repair monkey did the same as I saw when I snapped in my new A-pillar cover and foam gasket just last night. It's amazing what little care some shops have for your pride and joy.

I dutifully removed the four screws beneath the door seal and the broken peices of the old pillar cover left somewhere on Hwy 1, snapped the new cover in and realized I could no longer access the screws to hold in the new one.

 

I just took some Locktite construction adhesive/TAC and put a bead under the molding. Hope I don't ever have to remove it! Thanks for the help guys!