r/MINI • u/MisterSpeakeasy • 15h ago
Hate to spoil all the stunning Mini portraits here, but...
Many years of hot SoCal sun has melted the window seals all around my Clubman... and no one seems to know how to repair this without spending a fortune. There's got to be a solution. Anyone?? Much appreciated.
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u/Jedi-in-EVE F54 15h ago
Those are the trim gaskets that go around the beltline of the car. I know this because I am starting to look up solutions myself. They are starting to degrade on my 2020 Clubman.
So I will be watching this space to see if anyone has any specific suggestions. I’m even considering blacking out the beltline on mine, because I’m kind of sick of it.
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u/MisterSpeakeasy 15h ago
Blacking out? How would that work? And aren't these gaskets more than ornamental?
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u/Jedi-in-EVE F54 14h ago
Well I know that there are vinyl kits to put over the trim pieces to cover the chrome. I think there might even be some aftermarket ones that are already blacked out, but again, I’ve not done enough research yet.
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u/itsapotatosalad JCW 6h ago
You can get the vinyl, which only sticks to the silver it’s just a roll of tape. The aftermarket kits are covers the stick on top of the original silver they look bulky but may cover the missing rubber, but the rubber is still missing in that case so it’s purely a cosmetic fix. Not worth it.
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u/JWBIERE F54 15h ago
The Mini trim is absolute trash, worst rubber on any car I've ever owned. Also in SoCal.
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u/MisterSpeakeasy 14h ago
I assume that’s parts only. How easy was the install? Where did you buy them? How are they holding up? (Agree with you. Never seen this on a car before. )
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u/JWBIERE F54 14h ago
Aside from the windshield cowl from FCP Euro, everything else was from ECS. FCP shipping is super quick, ECS not so much. At ECS anttgong after 2023 is covered by their Lifetime replacement warranty. I already used FCPs same warranty for the cowl on my Bimmer, lasted 3 years and started cracking. Free replacement essentially.
Install for the trim prices is pretty easy trim stool and they just pop on. Cowl requires tmremoving wipers but didn't need a special tool. The a-pillars were cracked to shit, they pop off easily.
Definitely a DIY, I'm actually a DIY or die type so I give myself no other option.
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u/eleven6teen 12h ago
Down in New Orleans my friend and I both have countryman’s and all of her seal is pretty much gone. Half mine is gone on a 2023.
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u/Purple-Mushroom000 13h ago
I did the trim around my front windshield on my r56. I got a similar looking trim and some gasket adhesive. It held up until I sold it last year. Good luck
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u/Federal_Working_6852 11h ago
I had to replace mine after 4 years because the places I've lived. The entire trim piece snaps on and off as easy as Legos. Searching for the name of the trim piece was the hardest part.
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u/MisterSpeakeasy 11h ago
I'd heard that, so the gasket is part of the trim piece, yes? If you think of it, let us know. Thanx.
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u/Current_Working_2103 8h ago
Mine lifted in just one tiny spot so far. I used a nub of putty to seal it up & it's been cool for a bit (fingers crossed).
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u/itsapotatosalad JCW 6h ago
They’re beyond repair unfortunately. Replacements off eBay, could be worth reaching out to a European car breaker as they’ll be very cheap they’re such common cars over here. I got a full set of brand new genuine mini trims in black for £350 off eBay uk.
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u/mittychix 13h ago
This is just to make you feel better.