Interior/Exterior :: Mirror Cap Removal/Replacement R55/R56

slimjimtell · #1 02-12-2010, 10:59 AM

There is MUCH debate out there in regards to removing the mirror caps on an R55 and R56. There is an EASY way to remove them WITHOUT breaking any clips nor the mirror itself. Once you pop the first one off, you will be a PRO at removing them. It is so easy...a caveman can do it!!

Tools you will need...
Blanket
Plastic tool to get behind the mirror cap. (I used a pampered chef scraper from the kitchen) You can find them on Ebay by searching "pampered chef scraper" (DO NOT USE METAL or you risk scratches. Its a thin HARD piece of Plastic

See picture of the TOOL I used below

Place the Blanket on the ground below the mirror you are working on. (this is just in case the mirror cap pops off and falls to the ground.

Stand in front of the mirror with the Glass Mirror facing AWAY from you (you will use your body/leg to hold the cap from popping off.

Insert your PLASTIC tool between the cap and the mirror body like below. Slide it in towards the outside of the mirror like shown. Pry the cap back towards you. Once you can pry it back a little, hold it with your fingers and remove the tool.

Now slide the tool to the inside like shown below and push and pry back until you hear the clips release. The cap will most likely pop off, if not pry around the sides.

DONT TUG...GENTLY try to release with your tool and by pulling EASY.

BINGO...your cap should be off the car.

NOW, to replace it or change it out...

Simply, put it back on. I find it easiest to seat the outside edge and work back towards the car. Click in the bottom, then Click the top in.

It's just THAT easy!!!

NOW, SHOW US YOUR NEW LOOK!!

iwashmycar · #2 02-12-2010, 12:06 PM

excellent. thank you

isthar · #3 02-12-2010, 04:07 PM

good to know.

want to trade your black ones for my red ones?

slimjimtell · #4 02-12-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isthar

want to trade your black ones for my red ones?

I'm going with Black Jack. I ordered them today, should be in next week.

I put the checkerboard on today and didn't like them, they just stuck out too Much. The black and silver on the Chili Red/Black looked pretty cool.

racerv750 · #5 02-20-2010, 04:04 PM

Thank you sooo much it was so easy even a girl could follow your instructions. Now my mini rocks with the British flag on the roof as well as the mirror caps.

Warnen · #6 02-24-2010, 07:18 AM

tagging, getting pure silver caps soon.

cmcveay · #7 03-14-2010, 05:24 AM

Thanks Jim, the directions worked like a champ! I used a plastic putty knife since I didn't have one of those fancy pampered chef widgets.

Craig

cHaNkStA · #8 03-30-2010, 11:06 AM

SWEET! I'm changing to white caps too! thanks

Sketch · #9 04-02-2010, 01:31 PM

THanks for this write up man, I forgot how to switch the caps out lol. Have any pictures of your black jack mirror caps? I havent seen them on a chili red yet.

nbliss · #10 04-07-2010, 01:04 PM

Hello!

I have a Pepper White Mini Cooper S 2008 & have been dying to change out my mirrors to Chili Red? Does anyone know where I can get some or trade for my black ones? The mini dealership is pretty expensive. Any helpful hints would be great. Also what is everyone's thoughts on changing out the trunk lift thing to red & the piece on the hood around the air intake? I saw a mini the other day that had all parts switched out, but didn't know how to go about doing that.
Thanks!

MarcMa · #11 04-10-2010, 09:48 AM

You might try searching eBay for the mirror caps, I just got some carbon fiber ones there. Changing out the scoop isn't too hard, one screw and then a gentle clockwise turn. Just keep it easy so you don't break any of the connector pins. Changing the trunk release lift is a breeze. Two screws to undo and then a wire to unplug. Just reverse that to put the new one on. I did both of mine with carbon fiber.

TheCheatOSX · #12 04-22-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbliss

Hello!

Does anyone know where I can get some or trade for my black ones?

I've been considering swapping my Chili Red ones for Black. We might have a deal!

bootska · #13 05-12-2010, 01:20 PM

IS this method is best for the powerfold mirrors?

slimjimtell · #14 05-12-2010, 07:04 PM

Yes, Powerfold and NON powerfold.

The above pics are Powerfold mirrors.

dnget · #15 06-10-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCheatOSX

I've been considering swapping my Chili Red ones for Black. We might have a deal!

I have some black ones that I'm willing to trade. Let me know if you're still interested.

nbliss · #16 07-26-2010, 08:59 PM

Hello TheCheatOSX,

I know it's been about 2 months, I just noticed you replied to me. Are you still interested in the black mirror caps? Or did you already get some?

Is your mini chili red? And my mirrors are powered, not sure if that matters for the caps or not. Let me know & sorry for the late response. Thanks, Nicole

lakersguy · #17 08-26-2010, 06:04 PM

Great write-up THANKS
I will be installing Black Jacks on my MINI
with much help from you!
Thanks again

reddawg52 · #18 08-28-2010, 01:14 AM

I was able to pull my caps off by hand (no tools of any kind) without breaking any tabs. Maybe I was just lucky. I used both hands and just gave them a tug and off they came. Done in less than 2 minutes!

BamaCooperS · #19 10-12-2010, 02:05 PM

Is there a true difference between power-folding and non-power-folding mirror caps? I'm considering replacing my '09 JCW black caps with carbon fiber caps. I've looked at serveral caps including ones found on eBay and some mention that they are not for power-folding mirrors. Why wouldn't they fit? Any detailed info out there? Thanks.

onefish2 · #20 10-12-2010, 06:23 PM

Swapped out the black mirror caps for the JCW CF mirror caps. I did not follow the advice from the OP and cracked the passenger side heated glass. The replacement part was almost $90. Be very careful and follow the directions in this thread.

slimjimtell · #21 10-12-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaCooperS

Is there a true difference between power-folding and non-power-folding mirror caps? I'm considering replacing my '09 JCW black caps with carbon fiber caps. I've looked at serveral caps including ones found on eBay and some mention that they are not for power-folding mirrors. Why wouldn't they fit? Any detailed info out there? Thanks.

Yes, the size of the cap is different between power fold and NON power fold and therefore NOT interchangeable.

BamaCooperS · #22 10-12-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjimtell

Yes, the size of the cap is different between power fold and NON power fold and therefore NOT interchangeable.

Is the size different or just the clip locations? I was told by a vendor that it was just clip location. Thanks for your input.

Gluhwein · #23 03-05-2011, 06:42 AM

Looks easy, but I just broke two plastic spoons, a large plastic washer and one of my fingernails trying to pry these things off. And they are still on. Anyone out there selling Pampered Chef scrapers?

slimjimtell · #24 03-06-2011, 05:18 AM

http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_prod...ategoryCode=FH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gluhwein

Looks easy, but I just broke two plastic spoons, a large plastic washer and one of my fingernails trying to pry these things off. And they are still on. Anyone out there selling Pampered Chef scrapers?

Gluhwein · #25 03-09-2011, 11:08 AM

Solved it.

I went out to two grocery stores in an unsuccessful attempt to find those plastic milk jug handle tabs. One girl even let me head into their huge fridge to scour around for them. She said she usually sees a couple when a new shipment comes in, but no luck today.

Then I headed for Home Depot looking for something totally unrelated when inspiration struck. First I looked in the tool section to see if perhaps there might be a plastic chisel or even a prybar. No such animal. Then I thought about paint scrapers and edging tools for painting. Again no luck. The edgers were far too thin and I suppose proper scraping of old paint requires something tough and sharp like steel.

Looking around in the paint department I spotted the ultimate tool (not me!) - it was a spackling knife made of plastic. The 1 inch wide blade sells for a whopping .98. Even if it didn't work it was no great loss.

It worked like a charm as I started on the pax mirror. Wedged it in on the outside edge until I heard the pop. Kept one hand on that edge to keep it off then slid the plastic knife inward and voila, off came that side. Less than a minute.

A lot more trouble on the driver side because I couldn't get the knife to wedge inside. I even broke off a corner of the knife but no mirror cover scratches at all. Finally I approached from the outer curve and got the sucker to pry up the corner. From there it took a little work to hold that end off and slide up to the opposite end, but it eventually came off.

Installing the new mirrors was a breeze. I spent 98 cents and saved more than a hundred bucks on the installation.

One last word of advice - I was going for the whole Black Jack look when I ordered the two side mirrors AND the interior mirror cover. Don't waste your money on the latter. You can barely see the silly thing. Better to save your money and buy the side scuttles or roof graphic. Now I know.