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148 Posts
Bringing-together my experiences with the simple-ish cosmetic mod.
1. Buy the genuine parts. Seriously. There's all manner of aftermarket options including some really cheap and nasty "side scuttle decals" but they look and feel horrible. [insert 'get what you pay for' cliché here]. Following the recommendations in this thread, I went the grey-black checker pattern, BMW/MINI part number 51142352625. They are easily found online (example) and I had a set shipped to Australia from a UK-based seller on eBay (genuinely helpful chap, by the way). Of course you can also just go to your local MINI Service Department but they will get the ream tool to 'large'.
2. Decide how you're gong to attach the scuttles. The manufacturer's instructions state a particular bodywork glue should be used. The idea of me (hack amateur) gluing anything directly to the body was quite simply terrifying, so I went down the path of fellow user IsleOfBones (and others) in choosing the double-sided automotive tape approach.
3. Get your bits together:
4. Lift the indicators out of the body. Start at the bottom of the assembly and gently-but-firmly lift the edge until it makes a terrifying cracking noise (as the clips pop out of the hole in the body). Disconnect the cable from the lamp assembly by pressing in the side of the black connector.
5. Clean all the surfaces. Grab your cloth and isopropyl alcohol and ensure both the bodywork around the indicator and the flat surfaces of the scuttle are free of dirt and oils.
6. Attach the double-sided tape to the scuttles. I made a simple U shape on the flat surfaces and that provides more than enough adhesion for the (very light) scuttles. This approach makes them relatively easy to remove if I ever need/want to remove them.
7. Snap the indicator assembly into the scuttle. Starting with the top edge. This is far less terrifying than the removal of the indicator at step 4. Make sure it's properly seated.
8. Test and decide position. Test-fit the scuttle + indicator assembly to the body and mark the intended position (vertical and horizontal) with some masking tape or electrical tap...or a Sharpie marker if you're feeling particularly stupid.
9. Almost there. Reattach the indicator cable to the lamp assembly, do a quick test of your indicators just to make sure you haven't damaged anything, and then remove the backing strip from your double-sided tape pieces.
10. Stick that bad-boy down. Align the scuttle assembly to your pieces of masking tape and when it's in the right place just press firmly to ensure a good stick. Repeat on the other side.
YOUR WORK HERE IS DONE.
Hope this helps someone.
DJ
1. Buy the genuine parts. Seriously. There's all manner of aftermarket options including some really cheap and nasty "side scuttle decals" but they look and feel horrible. [insert 'get what you pay for' cliché here]. Following the recommendations in this thread, I went the grey-black checker pattern, BMW/MINI part number 51142352625. They are easily found online (example) and I had a set shipped to Australia from a UK-based seller on eBay (genuinely helpful chap, by the way). Of course you can also just go to your local MINI Service Department but they will get the ream tool to 'large'.
2. Decide how you're gong to attach the scuttles. The manufacturer's instructions state a particular bodywork glue should be used. The idea of me (hack amateur) gluing anything directly to the body was quite simply terrifying, so I went down the path of fellow user IsleOfBones (and others) in choosing the double-sided automotive tape approach.
3. Get your bits together:
- your F56 MINI (derp!)
- scuttles (derp!)
- automotive double-sided tape (I used some 20mm 3M Core Series 5-1000)
- some masking or electrical tape (for marking the positions of the scuttles)
- isopropyl rubbing alcohol and cleaning cloth (to prep your surfaces)
- scissors or a craft knife (to cut your tape)
4. Lift the indicators out of the body. Start at the bottom of the assembly and gently-but-firmly lift the edge until it makes a terrifying cracking noise (as the clips pop out of the hole in the body). Disconnect the cable from the lamp assembly by pressing in the side of the black connector.
5. Clean all the surfaces. Grab your cloth and isopropyl alcohol and ensure both the bodywork around the indicator and the flat surfaces of the scuttle are free of dirt and oils.
6. Attach the double-sided tape to the scuttles. I made a simple U shape on the flat surfaces and that provides more than enough adhesion for the (very light) scuttles. This approach makes them relatively easy to remove if I ever need/want to remove them.
7. Snap the indicator assembly into the scuttle. Starting with the top edge. This is far less terrifying than the removal of the indicator at step 4. Make sure it's properly seated.
8. Test and decide position. Test-fit the scuttle + indicator assembly to the body and mark the intended position (vertical and horizontal) with some masking tape or electrical tap...or a Sharpie marker if you're feeling particularly stupid.
9. Almost there. Reattach the indicator cable to the lamp assembly, do a quick test of your indicators just to make sure you haven't damaged anything, and then remove the backing strip from your double-sided tape pieces.
10. Stick that bad-boy down. Align the scuttle assembly to your pieces of masking tape and when it's in the right place just press firmly to ensure a good stick. Repeat on the other side.
YOUR WORK HERE IS DONE.
Hope this helps someone.
DJ
