Should all F55/F56 parts that I order fit the SE? I'm on eBay looking at parts and they all say incompatible (likely due to the sellers not updating on their end). I just want to be sure I'm not ordering things that I'll have to send back. TIA
No specific knowledge here, but given that the SE and ICE versions are built on the same platform on the same assembly line, many parts are presumably identical. OTOH, the motor is of course different, and you could run into issues with anything electronic/controlled by the software. The suspension is also different. So, it would really depend on what part(s) you had in mind.
Which parts are you looking at? By and large the parts should fit, but some may not considering there have been 2 LCIs since 2014 when the F56 launched.
The SE is basically the same as an F56 S model, almost everything will work but match your model year (2022+ versus 2020/2021). The suspension parts may be different, and maybe the brakes?
Cosmetically, setting aside the SE’s unique badges and embossed “fuel filler” door (and yellow mirror caps and Power Spoke wheels, etc., if so equipped), the only clear difference between the SE and all the petrol-powered F56 2-door hardtops that I can think of is how the black plastic cladding at the bottom of the SE (and on its fenders, too, I think) is slightly broader than the petrol F56’s cladding to help visually disguise the SE’s slightly higher ride height. (The SE rides higher to give the battery adequate ground clearance.) But it’s very subtle — the proportional differences in the cladding aren’t easy to discern even when comparing side-by-side photos of the SE and petrol F56s.
I’d “like” that differently if I could. It’s a good answer. I’ve noticed quite a few local SEs based on the design decisions, from the rear valance with no exhaust cutout, to the much deeper wheel arch skirts when viewed from the side. Once you know to look for them, they’re easy to spot.
Right — another obvious difference that I totally spaced on! Speaking of our SEs’ total lack of exhaust pipes and my questionable powers of observation, after I got mine late last year I noticed it only had one (PA) state inspection sticker on the windshield instead of the usual two. But it wasn’t until the third time I noticed that during those first few days that it finally occurred to me, “Oh yeah — the ‘missing’ sticker would be for an emissions system inspection, which my electric car will obviously never need!” Sometimes I can be REAL quick like that.
This brings up an interesting pair of design decisions by MINI's marketing staff. The SE includes a fake hood scoop to emulate a go-fast modification for an ICE car, but there is no go-fast fake exhaust pipe. "Of course not, that would be silly!"--how many readers just said that?
One thing I've read on this forum - some owners want to replace the side markers with smoked LEDs, and the 2022+ models do not yet have an aftermarket option that fits. I may have missed an update on that topic, though.
https://www.outmotoring.com/john-cooper-works-jcw-body-kit-f56-7-aftermarket-sen-f56-body-kit.html I'm going to put a bodykit on it, just need to find one that will fit.
Are you going to install fake exhaust pipes to complete the look or will you leave the exhaust-pipe cut-out empty?