Just got my car back from the body shop last night in the pouring rain. Looked at it this morning, and the black plastic fenders are separated on both sides (left AND right rear wheelwells, not just the right corner that was repaired) from the body panel. It's significant - I could probably drop a nickel in there. I called the body shop just now and they said to bring it back in and it was no big deal - "probably just the clips".

Does the trim attach with clips, and if so, how many? Specifically, is there one right at the end of the trim piece before the joint with the "bumper"? That corner is protruding right now. I can press it back into its proper place with my finger, but I don't see any sign of a "clip."

I thought this repair process had gone too easily.

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"In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." -Oscar Wilde

 

Unfortunately I don't have the answer and
I also have the same problem. I'm going back to
the body shop.

 

Sorry to hear it! I'm not going to be able to drop my car off for a day until Monday, but I'll let you know what happens then.

 

(bump)

come on, nobody knows the answer to this question? I want to tear this guy at the body shop a new anus on Monday, and I'm hoping to have as much ammo as possible.

I've also going to make them vacuum their damn cigarette ashes out of my boot. :evil:

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"In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." -Oscar Wilde

 

I took my car to the dealership to replace the black plastic trim over the rear tire. What they told me that is there are clips the snap the plastic trim in place. It is only a one time use clip. If I can remember right that's what he told me. So if you take off your trim you will have to get new clips. Either he is lying to me and taking my money or he is right.


hope this helps.

tony

 

Thanks, that does help! Looks like the body shop must be being lazy and not getting the new clips they need.

 

there are about 7 clips on each trim piece over the rear wheels.. the two at the ends have like clamp type things you have to squeeze them together to pop them out.. i can post a picture later this afternoon.. i have some spare ones since i painted mine to match the body color.. just "hammer" using your fist and push these things back on..

 

there are about 7 clips on each trim piece over the rear wheels.. the two at the ends have like clamp type things you have to squeeze them together to pop them out.. i have some spare ones since i painted mine to match the body color.. just "hammer" using your fist and push these things back on.. there are little screw type things sticking out of the body and the nut things are attached to the trim piece... they should be pushed back on. i can post a picture later this afternoon if you would like

 

That would be greatly appreciated! I am getting ready to remove the rear ones as i am gonna attempt to do some surgery so I can adjust my Koni's withouth having to remove them......

 

The clips are reusable if they're carefully removed. To do so, the inner wheel fenders must be removed first. Using a pin nose plier, each clip can be released with a pinch. Very time consumming, but worth the effort as the clips are not cheap. When I was looking for them, I could not find one that will give the arches a flush fit. I ended up getting them from the dealer.

If you need them, here are the part numbers and price:

Gray Clip - part # 07-13-1-480-418 $1.32 each
Black Clip - part # 07-13-7-036-159 $2.15 each
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Sometime after March 2003 MINI changed the design of the clips. They are now stronger. They are under a dollar a piece. My dealer tossed a bunch on the counter and told me to take what needed. I haven't had any problems with the new (grey) clips. Old ones were white.

 

another option is to just order a new fender set from classic.

The reason I say this is that my dealer was charging more for just the clips than classic was charging for the whole set (including the clips)

 

Yes, they are supposed to be one time use only clips. You'll need to get new ones...