Does Blue Ox Base Plate Kit Fit 2018 Mini Cooper S with JCW Trim

Updated 07/01/2025 | Published 05/24/2025

Question:

Hello, Can you please tell me whether this Blue Ox baseplate 1312, or the 1315, or any other baseplate will work on a 2018 Mini Cooper S manual, fwd 4-door hard top with the John Cooper Works JCW trim NOT the JCW model, just the trim on an S model? Thanks much!

asked by: Maark

Front of Mini Cooper S
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hey Maark, the Blue Ox base plate kit part # BX1312 does work on the 2018 Mini Cooper S model with the JCW trim like you have.

Do you have a tow bar already as well?

expert reply by: Jameson C

Mark

5/27/2025

Great, thanks Jameson! I do not yet have a tow bar (or anything else, starting from scratch) and would welcome your advice as to what else I need. Thanks!

Jameson C.

5/27/2025

@Mark You're very welcome! So we have the base plate figured out so next you'll want a tow bar. One of the most popular compatible tow bars is the Blue Ox Avail # BX7420 which comes with safety cables. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground. For lighting you can use the diode kit, # RM-15267, and not have to worry about cutting into the taillight housing. This will splice into your taillight wiring to allow your tow vehicle to control the taillight assemblies of the towed vehicle. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV. And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Mark

6/6/2025

@JamesonC Thanks again! Question on the diode kit: the etrailer website pops up a warning that the RM-15267 is not compatible with the 2018 Mini Cooper and identifies the BX8848 diode as compatible. Could you please clarify? Thanks!

Jameson C.

6/9/2025

@Mark I am not sure why it says that but the # RM-15267 is in our fitguide for your vehicel as a fit, it's a universal kit so it for sure will fit basically any vehicle, it is essentially the same as the Blue Ox diode kit too as far as what installs on the vehicle wiring.