What did you do to your MINI today?

[insightman]

Update on my hail damage. After almost a month of arguing with the claims guy who wanted to "total" my Mini (so that he could sell it), he finally agreed to delete my claim. The hail damage remains, but I get to keep the car.

I bet there are YouTube videos that could teach you how to fix the damage. On the other hand, perhaps golfball-like pockmarks actually improve your SE's aerodynamics (searching for the positive).

Years ago, I went to a huge Indianapolis-area gathering of gen-1 Honda Insights and saw one where hail had shattered both front fenders. I never realized they were made of plastic before that.

 

[Rexsio]

Update on my hail damage. After almost a month of arguing with the claims guy who wanted to "total" my Mini (so that he could sell it), he finally agreed to delete my claim. The hail damage remains, but I get to keep the car.

I don’t know how bad is hail damage and color of a roof and is not easy to fix roof will be expensive did you ever think do yourself project sending a dents and fill with bondo make a smooth service and use carbon fiber self adhesive vinyl wrap roof 5D black as is so many colors to choose .I Complitly agree with you keep a car I will do the same as we love our Minis knowing what we own .I do those vinyls myself and is easy as roof on mini will be quite simple you can ask professional shop too .My hood wrap straps looks excellent after 4 1/2 years .I will try first without fixing hail dings like 12x12” bc I think heavy vinyl as you applay with flat tool shouldn’t sink into a dent.

 

[revorg]

Rexsio: There are more dents than I can count. Fortunately, only one seems to have broken the paint. The body shop I got my estimate from thought some of the dents would require a panel replacement. I'm willing to live with the dents. I was most concerned with my insurance company's path was that there are very few SEs on the market now to replace mine.

 

[Rexsio]

Rexsio: There are more dents than I can count. Fortunately, only one seems to have broken the paint. The body shop I got my estimate from thought some of the dents would require a panel replacement. I'm willing to live with the dents. I was most concerned with my insurance company's path was that there are very few SEs on the market now to replace mine.

In my neighborhood around Staten Island NY .I’m seeing the best deal 2024 /23000 miles for $19.495 as I talk to BMW dealer about coming I3 nue classe if he takes my SE as part of payment he offer me $ 10000 bc he said they not selling at all as my SE have no single scratch on body or wheels ,garaged and 1 driver only.

 

[revorg]

Update on my insurance debacle. The claims guy kept insisting that my car would be labeled "totaled" and I would receive money toward a new car. He would call me every week. We know that there are no "new" SEs available, and we know that I would insist on another SE. He finally gave up when I threatened to change insurance companies to keep MY car. It's still fun to drive, still cheaper to run than a ICE, and still will serve my needs until the State takes away my license to drive.

 

[CuriousGeorge]

I washed it after a weekend excursion to a city a couple of hours a way. Charging didn't always go perfectly smoothly - had to call EVconnect a couple of times to activate the (same) charger and had to call EVgo once because somehow my attempt to charge crossed paths with someone in a Bolt EUV who started charging at the same time. My session stopped and I have been charged for theirs - go figure! But once started the electrons flowed rapidly. Averaged 4.2 mi/kWh at 70 mph with the A/C one in flat-to-rolling terrain, which is better than the default ABRP estimate.

Next up is a slightly longer excursion to another town, but round trip in one day. I've had my SE a bit over 3 years, so time e to stretch its legs!

 

[bmartinez028]

Warranty on my 2023 expires at the end of the month so decided to try a different dealer for the steering clunk issue I’ve been experiencing for some time now. This afternoon I got word the regional MINI rep approved a new steering rack. I documented the issue with videos which they said really helped their diagnosis. Twice my local dealer(where i purchased the car) said they couldn’t hear/feel any issue.

 

[CuriousGeorge]

Warranty on my 2023 expires at the end of the month so decided to try a different dealer for the steering clunk issue I’ve been experiencing for some time now. This afternoon I got word the regional MINI rep approved a new steering rack. I documented the issue with videos which they said really helped their diagnosis. Twice my local dealer(where i purchased the car) said they couldn’t hear/feel any issue.

Here's hoping it solves the problem. I had mine replaced at the same time/for the same reason. Sometimes I think that I still feel it, but am not sure - time will tell.

FWIW, based on what I have read online this seems to be a not-uncommon issue with the F56 (both ICE and EV). One person reported having their steering rack replaced 5 (!) times trying to solve the issue. Another eventually had the steering column (intermediate steering assembly) replaced as well (resulting in rattling dashboard trim that had to be removed and replaced to perform the job). A third said that they solved the problem themselves by removing some trim and spraying lithium grease up into the intermediate steering assembly. I relayed all of this information to the dealer when I had mine serviced, but they said that they disconnected the rack and steering wheel and felt notchiness only when moving the former.

Again, good luck - hopefully it's one and done for both of us.

 

[SameGuy]

A new set of the damn headlamp trim ring clips arrived from AliExpress, so I went to fix the loose trim ring on the driver's side (for a second time). Except I popped the bonnet only to realize it's not the clips that are missing, it's the mounting posts on the trim ring that are all snapped off now.

I just went back to AliExpress and ordered a new pair of piano black trim rings for $36 Canadian shipped. Ugh.

Other than accessories and mods – and of course a new set of summer tires after just 15,000 or so summer miles – the headlamp trim rings have been the only repair or maintenance expense on my car so far.

 

[insightman]

A new set of the damn headlamp trim ring clips arrived from AliExpress, so I went to fix the loose trim ring on the driver's side (for a second time). Except I popped the bonnet only to realize it's not the clips that are missing, it's the mounting posts on the trim ring that are all snapped off now.

I just went back to AliExpress and ordered a new pair of piano black trim rings for $36 Canadian shipped. Ugh.

Other than accessories and mods – and of course a new set of summer tires after just 15,000 or so summer miles – the headlamp trim rings have been the only repair or maintenance expense on my car so far.

I once stupidly pulled open my hood using my hand inside one of the headlight trim rings and it broke off. Since then, if I ever touch the trim rings, I touch them very gingerly. Do you have any idea what has been stressing these delicate headlight trim rings on your MINI?

 

[SameGuy]

I think the original ring was probably stressed when the body shop removed them after the hit-and-run damage at Home Depot two months into ownership. I don't remember seeing broken mounting posts the first time I replaced clips a little over a year ago, but while I was on a higher speed back road last week, I actually noticed the left side ring oscillating in the breeze. I ordered a new set of clips right away without even investigating.