Steering wheel + horn + logo + oldies + fist = dent

[MsAmy]

Hi all,

I recently had a run in with two doddery types in a Toyota Kitchenappliance, who pulled out right in front of me on a wet day, requiring a speedy lane change to that which I thought they weren't vaguely drifting towards and a dive at the horn (to which they managed to remain blithely oblivious).

I noticed afterwards to my horror that the Mini badge on my steering wheel is now dented, squished and has a sharp bit poking up at the side (the corner of the wing).

I would hardly call myself dainty, but am I really such a heavyhanded klutz???

Surely if you're sticking something exactly where people are bashing in an emergency it should possess something vaguely resembling strength, not just give in like a - hmm, I'll avoid analogies as they usually get me in trouble, but I'm sure you get the point...

So now I'm all upset as my lovely new Mini's tainted, and I dread to think what they charge for a replacement badge - which will likely get all smushed up again should an emergency arise once more.

Am I alone in having done this? Do I perhaps possess some remarkable Amazonian strength I could make a few bucks from? Questions! Questions!

MsAmy.
xox

[Gr8Dain]

I would not want to make you mad. That is for sure

THose badges do look flimsy. Can you peel it off? If so, do that and try to massage the emblem back to its original shape then reglue it. I wonder what those even cost at the parts counter.

Good luck. And will you be my firiend? I have some bullies that are picking on me and I could use a friend like you.

Dain

[MsAmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gr8Dain

I would not want to make you mad. That is for sure

THose badges do look flimsy. Can you peel it off? If so, do that and try to massage the emblem back to its original shape then reglue it. I wonder what those even cost at the parts counter.

Good luck. And will you be my firiend? I have some bullies that are picking on me and I could use a friend like you.

Dain

Heehee, I must be like Popeye - strong right arm, wussy left arm - I need two hands to get my bub into reverse!

I tried a ginger pulling-off of the emblem and it didn't really give, I guess I should right arm it and do as you suggest...

As for those bullies, you can tell them you have a six foot chick friend batting for you who can bend bare metal without even meaning to - hopefully that may keep them at bay.

Take care,
MsAmy.
xox

[LouieCoop]

Hi MsAmy - Just wanting to know, what did you eat for breakfast that morning? I saw an airbag on eBay the 3 spoke version and that was exactly the same, Mini emblem dented with the corner of the wing sticking up... common, probably! Anyone know if you can buy these seperate??
Lewis.

[dakini]

ms amy,

while i have no doubt that you have amazonian strength, there are in fact others here as well who have done this too. if you search around the forums you'll find others in the same situation.

[MsAmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by dakini

ms amy,

while i have no doubt that you have amazonian strength, there are in fact others here as well who have done this too. if you search around the forums you'll find others in the same situation.

Thanks - it's so gratifying to know I'm not alone!

Surely then this comes down to being classed as a design fault?

Oh, and Lewsi - Ijust had a glass of milk for brekkie!

MsAmy.
xox

[Gr8Dain]

"Milk - It does a body good"

Dain

[Rakey]

the badge shouldn't dent like you have descriped, so I'd push to get it replaced under warranty if I was you

Because I think I have read on here before that it is not a part that can be ordered on its own, and comes complete with the air bag cover, also looking at this confirms this thought, so it wouldn't be a cheap or easy job for you to replace it yourself.

[Trophy160]

Hi,

Its a new airbag cover required, just had it done as the badge was coming off the centre of the steering wheel. All covered under warranty

Paul;

[Electric Blue]

I would have thought it is so flimsy as it peels away when the airbag is deplyed, have you tried returning it to your dealer yet? If so, what outcome did you get?

[MsAmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Electric Blue

I would have thought it is so flimsy as it peels away when the airbag is deplyed, have you tried returning it to your dealer yet? If so, what outcome did you get?

I've scheduled a warranty look-at for Saturday week EB. The rattling driver's window, the hiccups into second gear, the hatch not closing properly AND the mangle-ated Iogo. It was interesting to note that the (lovely and really helpful) guy who booked me in said they had replaced the logo for somebody before, and confirmed that it required a whole airbag thingy replacement.

It will be interesting to see what transpires...

MsAmy.
xox

[Richard Crofts]

Its easily dented and flexible as its where the airbag is fitted....whould you want something hard sitting there and popping off into your face if the bag deployed?!

[MsAmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts

Its easily dented and flexible as its where the airbag is fitted....whould you want something hard sitting there and popping off into your face if the bag deployed?!

No, but I'd like a car I've spent a small fortune on to have a bit of thought put into the design of every single piece. To hit the horn in an emergency situation (and it was) and break your car is patently absurd. Yet it happened to me, and judging by these forums many others. It doesn't NEED a Mini logo there smakc bang in the middle of the steering wheel, if you put one there then make it able to withstand normal wear and tear - don;t just go the facile cosmetic route. It ain't rocket science.

And quite frankly, whether slightly malleable or rock hard, I'd prefer not to have either flinging at a massive rate of knots towards my head region should the unthinkable happen. If they have to put the logo there, make it so it lasts.

MsAmy.
xox

[Ferroequine]

FWIW, I've had the same thing happen when a muppet in a Honduh (while on the phone) cut me off when my baby was just two weeks old. I've been ticked ever since...

So I feel your pain!

[Baker]

Amy, you've got to remember that you only read bad things on forums about things like this .

Imagine if we had everyone making a thread "Just thought I'd post this to let you know I havn't had a problem with my horn picture yet" . You only hear about when it goes wrong, and its not a very common thing - its just that because there are so many people on here, you'll hear about it.

Kev