Tweedbean over at the MINIF56 forum just posted this detailed video demonstrating how to remove the stock chromed beltline pieces and replace them with the OE Piano Black trim. Well worth a look if you’re considering this mod.
Thanks for linking that video! Now that I see how easy the swap is, I'd be afraid someone would take my new Piano Black trim soon after I installed it. Then I'd have to watch Craig's List and eBay for days in hopes of recovering my black trim (or somebody else's stolen black trim). The other MINI Cooper SE on my street is missing its antenna. I've hesitated to ask the owner if it was stolen or if she just likes the no-antenna look. Because I'm old-school (and old everything else), I'm happy with the "throwback" chrome trim on my 2021 Iconic. I don't dislike the black trim, but I think MINI was cruel to change all the chrome trim to black trim EXCEPT the beltline trim. Wouldn't it be interesting to learn who made that decision? It must have been a bean-counter. "Follow the money" leads to the answer for so many questions.
I'd love to do this except the black belt line is so damn expensive! Thus I've just stuck with the vinyl sticker kits... def not the same though!
I share this sentiment. I like both, though. It looks so easy to replace that it would be fairly straightforward to change the trim back and forth as suits one’s mood.
Some of the pieces involved are very flimsy and easy to crack. Mine were also a bit hard to attach on the rear sides, definitely not something I’d want to do often.
Nice to see it is pretty easy. I'm still very happy I managed to get the black beltline from the factory/port. $75 more than the cost of the trim itself seemed okay to me for factory install.
You nailed it. Swapped mine over to black this weekend and my wife even commented on how she couldn't believe someone could just remove these pieces in a parking lot if you wanted... Like you, I would absolutely love to know the inner workings of this decision! Mine were not flimsy or easy to crack, but I will say the rear passenger side piece was hard to get all snapped into place properly!
The belt line pieces are sturdy, it’s where they click into plastic on the vehicle that is flimsy. Very thin plastic that you might not even realize is broken. Luckily it seemed designed in such a way that a little broken is fine, but I imaging too much swapping would cause issues. edit: Here where there are thin slits through the plastic that accept the trim. Several spots like this along the back side and rear.
Doesn't look like much has changed from my 95 M3 rockers. The clips were something like $2 each from the dealer, and a ten pack was about $2 from one of the websites.
