[The_Bster]

I must admit, it tis a little empty up there... heh heh

Please don't tempt me, i might just do it!

[PortRhombus]

Quote: Originally Posted by The_Bster

I must admit, it tis a little empty up there... heh heh

Please don't tempt me, i might just do it!

il try and get some pics of mine

[Bezza]

Another successful install

Took me bout 4 hours using a dremel tool following instructions on this thread. Really pleased with the final result.

[onemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bezza

Another successful install

Took me bout 4 hours using a dremel tool following instructions on this thread. Really pleased with the final result.

Top job! I'll keep any eye out when I'm in Horsham

[Berthil]

I got it right the first time thanks to this thread and all the tips & tricks. I especially bought a Dremel for the job and still got some plastic in my eyes but I really like the result. Thx

[onemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Berthil

got some plastic in my eyes but I really like the result

What's that... blindness?

[Berthil]

Not only blindness, also black dandruf. I've had two showers and still black pieces fall out of my hair .

[Baker]

Just finished mine off... and got my new stripes too

See them both here - http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...33#post1720933

Had to cut off my louvers too.. they were sticking out too much. Will put more detailed pics up later.

- Kev

[wigley]

I don't have a lot to add except that i went through this paintstaking process a couple of weeks ago as well. I didn't bother cutting off the louvres or painting anything because I was fast running out of patience

The result is that the bottom grill isn't flush but in my mind it doesn't have to be, provided it sticks out by a consistent amount

Thanks to everyone who contributed their tips and tricks - I couldn't have done it otherwise

[uncle albert]

Read through all 9 pages with great interest. Phoned up the dealer yesterday to enquire about getting the Works front bumper (not rear, as I'm not a big fan) fitted for the car for when I pick it up, but he made it sound rather pricey, so upon hearing about this mod for a mere £51, I was rather keen!

However, having seen pics of HB S's with the aero front bumper and one with just the grills (earlier on in this thread), I realised I've got my heart set on the aero bumper. So I phoned the dealer back up today and told him to order one! Best price he's got me at the mo is £380 all in, although says he might be able to do better...

1st mod and I haven't even got the thing yet! Roll on September 1st...

[gandini]

I installed the black plastic aero grille on my '05 MCS last weekend and it went well, especially with all the foresight I'd got from reading the relevant threads. However, I modified the lower grille (bumper) installation because I do not like the way it sits out from the bumper (not flush) if you follow the usual guides. The amount that it sits out is quite visible on many of the photos members post of their installations.
But, if you try to remove sufficient material from the grille to get it flush, it hits the slat support that is part of the bumper (this is the piece that you must paint black since it's the same color as the bumper/car. I removed this with a Dremel--as some have noted as an option--but it does reveal the aluminium bumper behind the grille. I chose not to paint this as I don't mind the look--it's drilled and only noticable from dead head on.
The other problem to get the lower grille sitting flush is that the tabs are too long to really hold it flush, but a few small holding screws that simply hold the tabs tight against the bumper from the rear do a great job, and ensure that this part will never come off of its own accord. These mods mean you can't put the original colored slat back on the bumper if you don't like the aero grille, but honestly, I love it--so this is an option I don't value highly.

cheers,
gandini

[Baker]

Yeah, I did exactly the same - removed the slat. On the Cooper S its not noticeable what is behind though.

With the tabs, I ended up just using them as locating pins, and securing the whole thing with plastic weld. Its the best way to do it!

[Maaij]

What colour black you guys using? Anyone have a colour code for the black paining?

[Maaij]

no one ?

[LordOfTheFlies]

When you're painting behind the grill, nobody can tell whether or not the black paint "matches"...... + you'll need to clear coat it if you want it to match your roof.....

Just pick up a $3.99 can of flat black spray paint like I did and be done with it. Just be wary of overspray!

[Gr8Dain]

I used flexible bumper paint that I had left over from a different project. There is no light shinig on it. You would never notice it.

[wreelybro]

OK so took me a little longer than expected (4 Hrs) But happy with results.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...d=102051&stc=1

[MiniFr34k]

just installed the aero grille following most of the tips etc on this thread.. phew! that was a pain in the rear end..

i ended up drilling 3 extra holes into the bumper for the tabs.. these cannot be seen with the aero grille on , or even with the stock grille on..

took about 4.5 hours all up.. using a dremmel wasnt the quickest way to go imo, a grinder was quicker (alot noiser tho). - in hindsight, i woulda just cut all the tabs off the aero grille, dont drill holes in the bumper, and use a double sticky tape thing (like they did on the stock grille ) + silicon glue and stick the thing on. woulda saved loads of time.

pics posted up tomorrow ( its abit dark right now)

Cheers.

[john_cook]

Blimey, this mod takes a bit of effort. I've taken wheels off to paint brake calipers x4 but for some reason doing the aero grill mod seems to have been more involving. Started with buying a dremmel which is a great little tool and will come in handy for lots of little other odd jobs. Taking the front bumper off was easier than I thought (was really dreading it).

Cutting the lower grill took ages because I was being pretty careful. Fit is not bad, probably not as good as some of u other guys, but its good enough for me. Had to spray paint the bit of plastic behind the grill so that involved plenty of masking tape and newspaper. I fitted the upper grill the otherday but was baffled by the stupid tightening nuts that BMW used. thanks to POBSEY for adviding me how to fit them back on the new upper aero grill piece.

Advice to anyone planning this modification. Well, simple...

GET A DREMMEL ! (they are only £30 from B&Q)

If u are brave and adventurous enough to try this mod then i'm sure u will find lots of little jobs for the dremmel. Here are my pics.

Cooky

[Gr8Dain]

Looks great. Better fit than mine. And yeah, those dremels are nice for a lot of different jobs.