MINI R56 Shift Boot Trim

3D printing is democratizing the manufacturing process and turning the art of manufacturing into digital art.

- Avi Reichental, former CEO of 3D Systems

Why this project?

This project was born out of necessity while searching for a replacement shift boot trim for my Mini Cooper R56. Unfortunately, there are no OEM replacements sold separately; the only official solution is purchasing an entire shift lever kit, which is prohibitively expensive for just a trim piece. While 3D printed options exist, shipping from the USA to Europe costs more than the item itself.

Since the original plastic clips are prone to deteriorating and breaking over time, I designed my own replacement using the OEM trim ring as a reference to ensure a perfect fit.

Print and Finish Recommendations
The part shown in the photos is the final, tested version with verified clearances.

• Material: I recommend using ABS or ASA for heat resistance in a car interior.
• Post-Processing: For the best aesthetic result, consider ABS smoothing (vapor polishing) to remove layer lines.
• Painting: finding a spray paint that closely matches the original interior color will give it a factory-finished look.

Notes on Durability
The clips are designed to be strong enough for installation. However, I have not stress-tested them for repeated disassembly and reassembly. While I may update the model with reinforced clips in the future, the current design works perfectly for a standard repair. Given how cheap and fast it is to print, if you ever need to remove the trim and a clip breaks, simply printing a new one is a viable solution.

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If you have any trouble, please feel free to reach out!