Well, after almost 18 months, I still don't have a single ding on the outside of Mrs. Peel (my '03 MINI). Knock wood! However, I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else. The plastic silver/gray color ring that surrounds the MINI logo on the steering wheel has a couple of tiny chips/cracks in it. I may have hit it with my keys getting out of the car at one point - I'm not sure.

It seems to be a pretty soft plastic and I'm afraid to pick at it and do more damage. I haven't seen anything on any of the MINI parts places that offers upgrade replacements for this ring. I was hoping to find a chrome one to replace it with.

Anyone else had this happen?

Lee Ann

 

I thought you had chipped your diamond ring on the steering wheel

I do have a small chip or 2 in mine also. Probably from my rings!!!! I think Moss MINI has a chrome ring available & I'm sure other vendors do too. We would all love to keep our MINIs in pristine condition but I figure a chip or 2 is a small price to pay for all the fun we have driving them.

Lois

 

I noticed some scratches on mine a while back. I lightly pressed a fingernail into the paint and was shocked that it went right into the paint/plastic.

This part of the MINI is soft like putty!

 

Unfortunately the ring by itself can not be replaced because it is part of the airbag/steering wheel assembly. Your only option is to replace the entire steering wheel.


Be careful with those keys and nails.

 

>>Unfortunately the ring by itself can not be replaced because it is part of the airbag/steering wheel assembly. Your only option is to replace the entire steering wheel.
>>
>>
>>Be careful with those keys and nails.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Glad to know that I'd have to replace the entire
steering wheel. You bet I'm going to be careful! :smile:

Lee Ann

 

If you are worried about your steering wheel ,don't start looking real close at your bonnet

 

I went out and inspected it and saw that the painted ring is nothing but paint applied to the soft rubbery plastic that makes up the center of the steering wheel.

No wonder it is soft!

 

>>I went out and inspected it and saw that the painted ring is nothing but paint applied to the soft rubbery plastic that makes up the center of the steering wheel.
>>
>>No wonder it is soft!
>>
>>Well don't pick at it then

 

I have several indentations in the wheel trim ring. I had no idea how they got there, until one day when getting out of the car, my hand came down with a decent amount of pressure on the wheel, and one of my nails bounced off of it. It left a small 'scar' identical to the others, and the mystery was revealed.

Also, you may want to look really close at the MINI logo in the center of the wheel. Mine is having some serious chrome adhesion problems. There are quite a few chrome flakes coming away from the logo. Very disappointing.

Didn't someone do a ring replacement - with a different chrome piece in the middle?

 

Do you have the 2 or 3 spoke steering wheel?

 

>>If you are worried about your steering wheel ,don't start looking real close at your bonnet
>>

When I've waxed my MINI, I've had a chance to check out every part very carefully.
No problems that I've been able to see with the bonnet or the front grills. This problem with the soft ring on the steering wheel is the exception.

Lee Ann

 

I got one of those little dings on the steering wheel ring but it was very small and on the edge so I filled it with some silver acrylic hobby paint (not TOO shiney) and that masked it somewhat. I've been careful since, but after reading these posts I think I'll be extra careful! Thanks!!!!

 

If you use The Club, this is a constant danger. Just the weight of the Club resting on it overnight will leave a permanent indentation.
_________________
"In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." -Oscar Wilde

 

I've picked mine clean all the way around. I kind of like it better that way.
Looks better than the scratches that were there before.

 

i had this problem also about 4 months into ownership of my car. i complained to the SA at Morristown MINI about it and they replaced it no problem under warranty. it bothered the crap out of me. if i was you guys i'd do the same. BTW, the new airbag cover they gave me thankfully has not chipp[ed like the other one did.

 

I have a small indentation on the rubber-ish center piece of my steering wheel (inside the silver ring). Not sure how it got there.

It's disheartening to learn how fragile the parts inside the MINI are.

 

>>i had this problem also about 4 months into ownership of my car. i complained to the SA at Morristown MINI about it and they replaced it no problem under warranty. it bothered the crap out of me. if i was you guys i'd do the same. BTW, the new airbag cover they gave me thankfully has not chipp[ed like the other one did.

I plan to show it to the dealer when I take her in for her 10,000
mile check which should be in just a few weeks. Hopefully,
they'll replace it. I hate the way it looks and it's the only
physical damage I have. I guess it's safe to say that it bothers
the crap out of me, too.

Lee Ann (Mrs. Peel's owner)

 

>>I've picked mine clean all the way around. I kind of like it better that way.

Lee Ann

 

We have an 03 MCS w/two spoke wheel. Ours had scratches in the silver from day one. There was/is a gouge that has been painted over too.

Having waited ten months for the car, we were able to overlook these annoyances and motor on :smile:

Sometimes you gotta say....it's just a car

 

Mine is just a dark, dull gray plastic. Picture the plastic of the dimply area around the ring. Only it's flat and smooth.

>>>>I've picked mine clean all the way around. I kind of like it better that way.
>>
>>Lee Ann
>>

 

Guys,
Easy fix on my '02 2 spoke.
Go to Michaels(their #71641391086) or similar art supply store and buy a
Silver Metallic Ink Sharpie (#39108) carefully dab the black defect :smile: :smile: :smile:
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Ric

 

When I checked with my MINI repair rep., he told me that he's seen ALOT of MINIs come in with the plastic silver ring dented to pieces. I was told that replacing it would involve replacing the entire airbag (as mentioned by another poster earlier) so that's out. The rep. just suggested that I be really careful. I consider this (even though I know that it's only cosmetic) to be a real design flaw. Why put such a flimsy piece of plastic in such a vulnerable place? I'm very careful about my car but I've looked closely and noticed that there are other (at the moment) miniscule cracks in the plastic ring. I have a feeling that the heat in Florida (although I always use my MINI sunshield and the car is always garaged at home) may be adding to the problem with the plastic cracking.