Hi Everyone. Been browsing the forums a lot lately, decided to get on and post.

My Dad is going to get a new car, and I am going to be buying his Black Mini Cooper S 53 plate off him. So, I'm planning the changes!

Basically, I want to 'decorate' with quite a bright colour. I'm quite keen on yellow. Firstly I want to get a bright yellow viper stripe kit like this one: 1-Four-Stripe mini Viper Kit (http://www.mini-graphics.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=273&category_id=5&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=40). Has anyone used this site? As i've read about Mini Pirate, but when I go to the site and try to look at the product overview, it doesn't load anything, so I've nothing to compare too.

Secondly, I want to change all the chrome, to black. How easy is this to do? I've read that painting the chrome bits are a bad idea, so I'm looking for black replacements of the grille surrounds, yellow wing mirror covers and black headlight surrounds. I've found this grille and really like it, but if it is cheaper then i'm happy to just get replacement grille surrounds for the existing MCS grille. Any ideas where I get them from? Not getting lucky with anything but chrome surrounds. JCW Black mesh grille kit - R50, R52, R53 | BM51.13.0.140.259K at www.minigenuineparts.co.uk (http://www.minigenuineparts.co.uk/mini-parts/info_BM51_13_0_140_259K.html)

Same applies for the headlight and wing mirror covers. I've found replacement mirror covers but only as Union Jacks and Carbon fibre, which look great, but seem pretty pricey. So really I'm just looking for help on what parts to buy.

I will also spray the alloys black, and break calipers yellow, hopefully :cool:

Cheers All. Hope this reads ok.

As it stands:
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/778/mcso.jpg (http://img835.imageshack.us/i/mcso.jpg/)

looks like a nice car mate!

I bought a 03 cooper 10 days ago, and already started buying stuff with it, mine had the aero kit and grille already installed! But the aero grille is a definate must! Changes the look of the car dramatically, looks so much better!

i bought the exact same graphics of mini-graphics, took 2-3 days 2 come down, people really friendly and helpful so i would go with them!

i would recommend white side repeater lenses, also changes the look of the car a lot!

Seen you were thinking of also getting black headlight surrounds, look at 'newministuff' they have some on there for around £88 i think! im guna go for them as well!

Good luck with your project!

This is mine by the way ;) - http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-mini-cooper/184549-my-mini-cooper-first-car.html

looks like a nice car mate!

I bought a 03 cooper 10 days ago, and already started buying stuff with it, mine had the aero kit and grille already installed! But the aero grille is a definate must! Changes the look of the car dramatically, looks so much better!

i bought the exact same graphics of mini-graphics, took 2-3 days 2 come down, people really friendly and helpful so i would go with them!

i would recommend white side repeater lenses, also changes the look of the car a lot!

Seen you were thinking of also getting black headlight surrounds, look at 'newministuff' they have some on there for around £88 i think! im guna go for them as well!

Good luck with your project!

This is mine by the way ;) - http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-mini-cooper/184549-my-mini-cooper-first-car.html

Thanks for the reply. Good looking Mini, you got any photos of it with the stripes on yet?

Yeah. I've found a guy who does vinyl wrapping and will get the lights, fuel cap etc wrapped in black i think. Seems a lot cheaper than buying new parts! Just trying to decide about the grille and whether just to get the chrome surrounds that I currently have, wrapped black and stick with the grille.

Cheers

I personally think you are going to 'black' the car too much, I like the odd bit of chrome because it sets off really well against the black body. You can always be brave and yellow the chrome instead!?

P.s. Welcome to the black MINI club!

looks like a nice standard Cooper S, please don't ruin it and think carefully before you chav it up !!

remember you'll also devalue it....................

Iain

Thanks for your opinions guys.

Believe me, I'm anything but a chav. Chavving it up is definitely not my aim, just looking to make it a bit different to the others out there. If i changed colours, they'd be changed with vinyl, rather than painting, and could be returned to normal i and when i sold the car.

You may be right about the chrome actually. I'm beginning to wander that myself, but I don't know if i'd be brave enough to go yellow with the chrome :P.

Thanks for your welcome

PS. Do you feel this is chavvy?

http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/2935/MINI_Park_Lane1.jpg

Hi,

Changing the grill is a must!
I changed mine last week and put the Aero front bumper on too. Look the dogs! I also only changed the front bumper as Im not kean on the R53 rear aero bumper. Here is a pic:

http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/500/thumbs/168463_1811559449666_1260390748_2126949_6538706_n. jpg (http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/500/medium/168463_1811559449666_1260390748_2126949_6538706_n. jpg)

As for the mini above looking chavy. I dont think it does.
Im guessing your going for the Ford GT look in Yellow With the Black stripes.

Like you said it will be unique and certainly a head turner!

Rhys

http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/2935/MINI_Park_Lane1.jpg

What body kit is that? Im quite new to the mini world, im looking at getting an aero kit. However this kit is a tad different, very nice though!

What body kit is that?
The car pictured is an R56 with the JCW Aero Kit.

The car pictured is an R56 with the JCW Aero Kit.

Thank you for clearing that up MINIAC.

I'm looking at getting a body kit for my MCS R53, is aero the way to go? I've seen a few others, but aero seems do be the most popular.

Sorry if this is posted somewhere else, but i've been reading for hours and not come across this specific question....

For the R53 is there also different types of Aero kits? e.g. Aero Standard and Aero JCW? and i assume the R56 kit does not fit the R53?

Thanks, Bev.

For the R53 is there also different types of Aero kits? e.g. Aero Standard and Aero JCW? and i assume the R56 kit does not fit the R53?

There was no JCW Aero Kit for the 1st Gen MINI, just the dealer fit kit ...
RealOEM - R53 Aerodynamics Package (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=51_5788&hg=51&fg=95)
I've heard of the side skirts from the R56 JCW Aero Kit being fit to a 1st Gen MINI, but not the whole kit.