Hello Guys,

I bought a pretty clean 2010 MCS last fall but unfortunately I didn't really have time to enjoy it much before I had to store it for winter (winters here last forever). One of the first thing I noticed when I purchased it was the battery cover had separated from the R/S Apron. As I stored the Mini for the winter, this kept popping in my head. How can I secure that annoying cover and keep a factory look (I wasn't digging the duct tape fix). Looking around for a better solution, I found small plastic hinges on ebay and an aluminum thumb screw on amazon.

So I proceeded with the fix.I didn't center the thumb screw with the cover because I didn't want to have the threaded portion right on top of the battery (it is pretty close, it would have cleared by just 1/8"). Plus now it falls right into pocket area of the hood, so there's no chance of interference with the hood itself.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Let me know what you think








Thumb screw aligned with hood pocket


Thumb screw aligned with hood pocket


Hinges barely visible when hood is down


back side of apron

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I will refrain from commenting on it. However, water intrusion would worry me. Considering that hinges, screw and shipping do not come for free either, I would have opted for a new apron cover instead (whether from a junk yard if in good condition or new altogether).

 

I like it, I but I'm lazy so I did the "hinge" out of black gaff tape.

I'm not worried about water. There is no way that compartment was waterproof to begin with.

 

The compartment as a whole does not need to be waterproof. What matters are the battery terminals right below the living hinge of the cover. Water dripping through that edge may well reach the terminals below (unlike water coming from any other opening of the battery compartment).

 

That compartment isn’t waterproof but when I replaced my cowl cover this week I noticed that I can see right past the battery to see the cabin air filter. Should there be a screen or water preventer there?

 

Yes, i just worry that water would get in their past that flap near the battery and if at the correct angle it can get and pull into the cabin filter inlet.

 

There is a vertical one to protect from water coming through the drain hole of the cowl cover. Number 5:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_6604

 

I have just ordered some plastic strip hinge to attempt to repair this. I'm hoping that I can glue the strip in place and make it a) work and b) maybe be as waterproof as before. I will make some attempt to document it in another thread if it goes ok...

 

According to www.realoem.com a new one is less than $40. That's how I'd fix it.

 

$50-60 most places online. I have the same issue but I hate buying parts that go bad like this.

 

Realoem is not correct on prices they are like estimate and always lower most of the time, you cannot buy off them also. We have it here, If you need help installing i have done mine a couple times and you can PM m.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...-/51132751210/

 

Hello! I just purchased this item. After installing a powered sub, I unfortunately broke the battery flap.
I tried reinstalling the firewall cover, but it just would not go on like it did before.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Oscar

 

I also had some trouble getting the new piece to pop back in correctly. When I replaced mine, there's a plastic mounting piece that attaches to the bottom of the windshield that was coming off. After I used a little glue to reattach that I was able to pop that left apron piece with the battery cover so that it was nice and flush against the windshield.

 

Yes there is a piece in the middle that if not set in correctly will not let the piece seat right. Also that mounting strip needs to be on the bottom of the glass correctly, its like U shaped and the other U shape clips to the bottom of the glass.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ld-cowl-3.html

 

Issigonis I am curious if the plastic hinge strip worked. I am considering this one.


Both mine were broke off when I purchased the 2012 Coupe last January. If that doesn't get it, Black Gorilla Tape to the rescue. I really do not want to purchase new as the rest of the cowl is fine and I know this is the "weakest link" of the whole cowl.