[TheBlackKnight]

Hmmm...

Have almost got my Cooper the way I want it looking, but one thing stood in my way...those black plastic wheel arches. So I trotted off to my BMW dealer to get the business done....

Or so I thought. My dealer phoned some 'official' BMW UK Bodyshop representative who instructed that, to the effect of...

"To perform this modification would not be cost-effective at all, given the plastic would have to be treated and re-treated several times to ensure a long-lasting finish. Since we could not guarantee to complete the job to BMW's high standard of workmanship, we are refusing to do this."

So when I read about someone having this done (painting the wheel arches in colour witrh the body) for £95, two things crossed my mind...

1. The £95 guy is going to wind up with cracked and generally nasty-looking wheel arches after about a year.

2. BMW are having a mickeyfinn with me.


Obviously the plastic would need to be treated to take the paint - but refusing to do it? Would like to hear from anyone who's investigated this and, indeed, anyone who's already had it done!

[nparker]

The plastic can be treated. Almost all bumpers these days are of a plastic variant. The proper method to paint the plastic bits is to sand the plastic to rough up the surface. Primer the parts with a primer specially formulated for plastic. Either topcoat or base coat/clear coat. When spraying the primer and color you need to add a flex agent to the primer and color/clear coat. Dupont and SEM are a few companies in the states that offer this flex agent. It can be done and with great results, as you can see in member's galleries. Hope this helps.

[Racer]

I happen to agree with the cost effective part - It took me twice as long to do my arches as to strip prepare paint and re-assemble the whole car (and that was with the arches off) I think it's a case that bodyshops just arn't very keen when they can be doing 'easier' jobs for the same money - The guy who got his done for £95 either got a huge bargain or a bad job - from the pictures I've seen it looks like a bargain

[TheBlackKnight]

Would agree - looks like a bargain as I've tracked down the photos. It's a shame that this mod isn't that easy or cheap to perform, as I'd have to say that it looks stunning on every Mini I've seen it on.

[dinlo]

I got mine done with a BMW dealer, they refinish the trim and painted it with body color, it loog GREAT!!!! you should have it done too, but find a dealer to do it for you, so you can always go back to them if anything does happen. I'm sure there is other dealer around your house will do that for you

[Bonnie Scotland]

Assuming i am the guy who either got a bargain or a bad job i can only say at the mo that all is ok. The arches are washed and waxed regularly and show no signs of dullness.
I'll post back in a year and let you know the outcome

Bonnie Scotland

[Damo]

I know a dealer in Blackpool who do do it Derek Woodmans. In fact when I was there last (a month ago getting new tyres) they had an all silver S with Alpina Wheels, Aero side skirts. Looked very good.

THe best bit the Arch's etc where body coloured to, and on the options list under Dealer Accesories there was the option of painted arch's etc. (didn't have a price for individual parts though) From a dealer your looking about £400-£500 but I could be wrong.

PM Deej he maybe able to help you aswell