Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Unintentional Steering Wheel Center Cap Mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-13-2005 | 04:18 PM
NOCLWNS's Avatar
NOCLWNS
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Unintentional Steering Wheel Center Cap Mod

Over the past 3 years my black center cap on my 2002 (2-spoke) steering wheel has become damaged. It is a bit cracked and dented and in need of some TLC.

According to the dealer, it is not an item that can be purchased by itself, only as a unit with the airbag for....*ahem* $408.

Has anyone had a similar issue? Would anyone know how to potentially repair it? I know it's a shot in the dark, but I thought I'd try.

Thanks,
-Loren
 
  #2  
Old 10-13-2005 | 04:25 PM
hoopi's Avatar
hoopi
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: CA - Sonoma County
Some ideas:

1 - Junk yard? ( real long shot )

2 - A sticker?

How about a picture? Is cracked, worn, discolored?
 
  #3  
Old 10-13-2005 | 04:56 PM
Smokey's Avatar
Smokey
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,099
Likes: 0
From: Just around the corner from the Dragon :~)
They come up on eBay every once in awhile, don't know the legalities, if any, of shipping.

I've got a few spots on my 02 SW that could also use a touch up so I'm contemplating the repair. The airbag comes off relativley easy (2 screws hold the air bag assey on the steering wheel) so removing it to do some light sanding and a respray shouldn't be too tough. Don't think I'd want to do it while it's still mounted, due to the overspray.

RealOEM lists it for $254, have you checked with classic?
 
  #4  
Old 10-14-2005 | 08:36 AM
toolmichael's Avatar
toolmichael
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Sammamish WA
if you think thats bad, an 05 with msfw is 800 + and four years goes by fast.
 
  #5  
Old 10-14-2005 | 09:08 AM
Pir8 97's Avatar
Pir8 97
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: G'ville NC
The center section with the logo looks horrible on my car. The silver ring has some scratches, but I have no idea how to fix the logo

 
  #6  
Old 10-14-2005 | 09:29 AM
Rick-Anderson's Avatar
Rick-Anderson
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 0
From: Napa, CA
I've been waiting for somebody to come out with a chrome ring cover but I think the liability may be high since it is something that would lodge into your forehead if the airbag goes off!
 
  #7  
Old 10-14-2005 | 09:47 AM
Pir8 97's Avatar
Pir8 97
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: G'ville NC
I've seen one before, but I think it was on one of the Japanese sites.



Originally Posted by Rick-Anderson
I've been waiting for somebody to come out with a chrome ring cover but I think the liability may be high since it is something that would lodge into your forehead if the airbag goes off!
 
  #8  
Old 10-14-2005 | 11:33 AM
The MINITOR's Avatar
The MINITOR
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I just got the new Moss Mini catalogue yesterday, they had some sort of new chrome ring for the steering wheel I believe.
 
  #9  
Old 10-14-2005 | 11:45 AM
movieman's Avatar
movieman
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Bedford, TX
Originally Posted by jeffroestobar
I just got the new Moss Mini catalogue yesterday, they had some sort of new chrome ring for the steering wheel I believe.
No, those are the horn area covers. They don't even have those for the MFSW.
 
  #10  
Old 12-02-2005 | 05:58 PM
115hp's Avatar
115hp
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Is this it? Has anyone bought one yet?
 
Attached Thumbnails Unintentional Steering Wheel Center Cap Mod-101-670_1.jpg  
  #11  
Old 12-02-2005 | 06:14 PM
Yucca Patrol's Avatar
Yucca Patrol
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
Likes: 2
From: Burning-Ham Alabama
What was MINI thinking when they decided to paint a flexible rubbery surface?

My silver ring looks bad too. Just press a fingernail on it and it leaves a permanent impression!
 
  #12  
Old 12-02-2005 | 06:15 PM
ncdave's Avatar
ncdave
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
It looks like the plastic center section is what's damaged, not the soft silver surround. The surround in my car lost some paint in spots, undoubtedly from fingernails and I found that Tamiya's Acrylic Bright Alumnium Paint (flat) was nearly a perfect match with the exception of sheen but a dab of clear gloss mixed in solved that problem as it made the paint semi-gloss. The stuff comes in small bottles at your local hobby shop and is around $3.00.

I'm afraid I don't have a solution for the center badge though.
 
  #13  
Old 12-02-2005 | 11:03 PM
The MINITOR's Avatar
The MINITOR
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by movieman
No, those are the horn area covers. They don't even have those for the MFSW.
Ah, but they do. Here: http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=49566

Also, my MCS came with a custom "S" logo sticker over the rubbery center. Looked pretty good.
 
  #14  
Old 12-03-2005 | 07:17 AM
skillet's Avatar
skillet
6th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 0
From: Cornfields of Indiana
Any pictures of your custom logo?
 
  #15  
Old 12-03-2005 | 11:44 AM
ScottinBend's Avatar
ScottinBend
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 1
From: Oregon, USA
Maybe one of the many graphics vendors could come up with a decal/vinyl sticker for the center cap. I know that www.grafxwerks.com has a good selection of custom vinyl available.
 

Last edited by dave; 12-03-2005 at 05:38 PM.
  #16  
Old 12-03-2005 | 06:01 PM
ScottinBend's Avatar
ScottinBend
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 1
From: Oregon, USA
Thanks DiD. Not sure how that happened, copied it from the browser.
 
  #17  
Old 12-03-2005 | 11:28 PM
movieman's Avatar
movieman
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Bedford, TX
Originally Posted by jeffroestobar
Ah, but they do. Here: http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=49566

Also, my MCS came with a custom "S" logo sticker over the rubbery center. Looked pretty good.
Don't see the horn covers for MFSW. Did see the chrome ring around the airbag, though.
 
  #18  
Old 12-07-2005 | 10:57 AM
The MINITOR's Avatar
The MINITOR
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by movieman
Don't see the horn covers for MFSW. Did see the chrome ring around the airbag, though.
These horn covers? http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=45385

Man, I should be working for Moss or something. Commission maybe?
 
  #19  
Old 12-07-2005 | 10:59 AM
The MINITOR's Avatar
The MINITOR
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by Want-a-mini
Any pictures of your custom logo?
Actually, I took them off because I didnt like the logo. Here is an old pic:
 
  #20  
Old 12-07-2005 | 11:11 AM
Johnna's Avatar
Johnna
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 965
Likes: 4
From: Loveland, CO
Originally Posted by NOCLWNS
Over the past 3 years my black center cap on my 2002 (2-spoke) steering wheel has become damaged. It is a bit cracked and dented and in need of some TLC.

According to the dealer, it is not an item that can be purchased by itself, only as a unit with the airbag for....*ahem* $408.

Has anyone had a similar issue? Would anyone know how to potentially repair it? I know it's a shot in the dark, but I thought I'd try.

Thanks,
-Loren
I had problems with the silver painted portions of the interior of my '02 MC. It seems the initial paint quality was poor. Under warrantee, my dealer replaced both door panels, the mirror adjustment controls and the steering wheel.
 
  #21  
Old 12-07-2005 | 11:20 AM
Tit's Avatar
Tit
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Canberra, Australia
looks like the shoulder 'wing' on your seats touch the window - is that the case? What seats are those? (I'm considering getting a bucket)...

Originally Posted by jeffroestobar
Actually, I took them off because I didnt like the logo. Here is an old pic:
 
  #22  
Old 12-07-2005 | 12:47 PM
movieman's Avatar
movieman
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Bedford, TX
Originally Posted by jeffroestobar
These horn covers? http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=45385

Man, I should be working for Moss or something. Commission maybe?
Doesn't fit MFSW.
 
  #23  
Old 12-07-2005 | 05:47 PM
The MINITOR's Avatar
The MINITOR
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by movieman
Doesn't fit MFSW.
I guess if I new what MFSW stood for I would be more helpful?
 
  #24  
Old 12-07-2005 | 05:59 PM
moreorless's Avatar
moreorless
6th Gear
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: A pile of sawdust
Originally Posted by jeffroestobar
I guess if I new what MFSW stood for I would be more helpful?
multi function steering wheel


...Les
 
  #25  
Old 12-08-2005 | 09:16 AM
LeeL's Avatar
LeeL
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
From: Morrisville, NC
THe picture with all teh white spots on teh MINI logo looks like it is coming apart from teh inside. I remember one person saying the dealer fixed somethign similar as a warrantee item.

I had scratches on my center plastic piece that I buffed out in about 5 minutes time using some Meguiars Scratch-X and follwed up with NXT one day after I was done with a wax job. I literally was putting everything away and though, hey, maybe this will help. It probably took less than 5 minutes even and it looks about 95% of what it did when it was new, maybe like when the car was one month old rather than 2 years.
 


Quick Reply: Interior/Exterior Unintentional Steering Wheel Center Cap Mod



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:13 AM.