When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
hi
this seems to be a common problem when the weather strip on the back of the car connecting to the convertible top has gone dry and crack, also leaking water into the battery try
The price on these parts just almost doubled in the past few months. I had been saving for these parts, then I saw that the price had almost doubled. I was furious!
I may start searching the junkyards for some not perished trim pieces.
Wow. You are right about the price increase. I picked up a set in Jan for $265, now they are $345 at thebmwpartsstore. You can also find them on eBay for $338
Wow. You are right about the price increase. I picked up a set in Jan for $265, now they are $345 at thebmwpartsstore. You can also find them on eBay for $338
I am ticked off that I did not buy them months ago. I just needed to spend my modding money on different items fixing leaks, radiator fans and struts.
It looks like my cheap self is going to by some clear silicone. Hopefully the light doesn't go out soon.
Before you do the Silicone, I suggest you try taking a rubber bike inner tube and use it to make a replacement gasket.
I am going to look into this myself.
Remove one side of the trim and try to replace the perished rubber with a new rubber strip. I have not tried it yet because the weather still stinks here.
It may be possible to separate the existing rubber from the trim and sandwich a new piece in there.
Once the trim is removed, the options for doing it can be reviewed.
When I get around to it when the weather warms, I will post my results.
You could do one at a time. Remember there is hardware and if the screws are bad you can get them here : 54347162754 they also come with full kit w/ hardware.
The trim is for the R52 MINI Convertible ( 2005 -2008 ) only:
Easy to unscrew and install.
We have them in kits with and without the hardware ( screws and such ). The screws can really take a beating from salt and weather and then become hard to put back in and tighten. Would be good to check the condition of yours.
Convertible Top Rear Trunk Molding Kit 51137123438KT
I just replaced mine from a Mini salvage garage, I bought both sides for a total of $60. I picked up a set that was in great condition ...except for the screw hole that was damaged trying to remove it. It didn't dawn on us until a little later that we could release the back of the top and then do a simple removal.
I just replaced mine from a Mini salvage garage, I bought both sides for a total of $60. I picked up a set that was in great condition ...except for the screw hole that was damaged trying to remove it. It didn't dawn on us until a little later that we could release the back of the top and then do a simple removal.
I called multiple salvage yards today and no luck. One place had recently received 3 R52 and all three cars had their trim dry rotted.
Yea, they don't last on the original, I have mine cracked and it needs replaced also. But I have 261K. I have noticed MINIs down south have this happen more. I have treated mine in the past with gummi fledge and chemical guys VRP to make it last longer.
Wow what a big rip off. I replaced the right side last year and figured I would do the left this year because it wasn't as bad. I think I paid less than $150 for one.
Just bought a 2005 R52 last Monday. After reading this thread I went and looked at my weatherstripping. Sure enough there were several cracks. I went to my local hardware store and bought a spray can of Flex Seal (black). I sprayed a piece of clean heavy stock paper with a little puddle of Flex Seal and using a very small paint brush (size 00) I painted over the cracks to seal them. This should do the trick until I save up enough to replace the trim parts themselves. I was careful not to get any Flex Seal on the chrome trim or the top fabric. HTH.
The very stuff. I hoping it will last until the end of summer, at which time I maybe able to replace with new parts. This is intended as a temporary fix.
The very stuff. I hoping it will last until the end of summer, at which time I maybe able to replace with new parts. This is intended as a temporary fix.
Just bought my second Mini, this time a 2007 JCW R52, 46,000 miles so yes there are some maintenance issues I am going to address. One of them the rotting rear vinyl at the back of the top will be addressed but I am not going to spend just shy of $400 for new trim pieces. Why you might ask, because IMO the 5/8" wide vinyl that is laminated to the trim piece does nothing other than keep UV rays off the stitches that are below the trim.
I am a retired construction manager with 40 years of experience with millions of square feet of commercial construction. Also have a LEED AP. I know a little about keeping water vapor, water and air outside. The R52 top has what I call a rain bar around the portion of the top where it connects to the car. There is also a rubber gutter along the back where the top hits the trunk and a formed curved metal gutter along the two sides. The top is made so that water sheds off the roof and anything that does not run off on the metal sides, weeps down into the gutters. The gutters are sloped and either discharge out through the the trunk or to the front just behind the doors. Lift up the top at the trunk and you can see what I described.
I trimmed off the rotted vinyl and applied a small bead of black silicone to cover up the stitches. I will take some pictures and get them posted.
If I was going to do concours, I would spend the money for the trim, but as the majority of people will have no idea that I trimmed the bad vinyl off, I will use the money to fix some other engine related issues. I am also of the opinion that this is why Mini decided not to replace the trim outside of warranty, see earlier posts, as the particular vinyl is purely of an aesthetic nature.
The finished product. Picked up some exterior flexible chrome trim at the auto parts store. Wipe the black vinyl off with some lacquer thinner and then installed the trim, about 1/2" wide.
