So yesterday I drove to the airport, parked up and got out. Locking my car and walking off I did my usual look back and noticed this had happened to my car - WTF? How did that happen? I can't be sure if it was like that when I set off in the morning as it was 6am and I probably wasn't in the brightest moods. So I'm wondering: did someone do this to my car - last time I drove it prior to yesterday and it was fine - or did this SOMEHOW happen as I bombed it down the M11 en route to Stanstead? Although again I don't recall anything flying off my car.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UTVMSDogvUU/TgnGU3bCNDI/AAAAAAAAcmw/Q41bY04Ikiw/s512/photo%252520%2525281%252529.JPG

Has this happened to anyone's mini? What's the part called?

Booked it in at Mini Loughton - same old sales pitch "we may need to carry out a diagnostic check to determine what's wrong with the car - you could be facing a cost of £90".

£90 for what? I know what's wrong with the blimming car. Had them put me through to parts and a nice gentleman called James has ordered in the part which he said clips into place - he also said that they aren't easy to steal so can't imagine someone was trying to take it off intentionally - still - HOW?

Cost = £40 + VAT and then fitting on top which hopefully won't cost that much. Another lovely sales lady said I probably won't have to pay the diagnostic. I should hope not! But we'll see - having OH take it in on Thurs whilst I am at work - on their 90 min service. So will report back.

Any insight much appreciated.

Claire <3

Hi ya

that sucks sorry to here that :-( have a look at this site we all use it and many more sites like this one it called column A cover

RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S Exterior trim / grill (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=51_4275&hg=51&fg=20)

item no 4 is what you want but to be 100% its correct for you car go to the home page of RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog (http://www.realoem.com) enter the site and at the top it will ask you for you vin number it wants the last 7 digits you can find that on the bottom of the windscreen passenger side go to the image drill down menu and look in vehicle trim you will see it there you will need the clips to that hold it in place items 16 and 17 most probably
once you have the numbers you can call mini and order it if you do order it ask for discount most places will give you 10% if you ask nicely

hope this help you out
you should not need diagnostic is only trim cheeky monkeys it will take minuets to fit

Thank you so much for your useful information - just to confirm - I noticed this as I parked my car when arriving at the airport - so it either happened the night before or during my journey - just not sure which. The diagnostic thing is a joke but I've got enough of a mouth to give them what for... :)

With the part number from RealOEM you can check dealer pricing against pricing here (http://www.cooper-mini-parts.co.uk/).

A detailed write up on the replacement of the black A-pillar trims with pictures on NAM:
Exterior :: A-Pillar Trim Replacement - North American Motoring (http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/how-to/188299-exterior-a-pillar-trim-replacement.html)

Note: There are also some screws hidden under the door seal rubber!

This looks fab - definitely something I should work up to. I looked at all the pics and thought "can I do that? I'm a girl!" but I do like a challenge... To make sure it's done properly I'll take it to mini on this occassion :)

At least you will now know approx. what work is involved for the price you are charged. :)