05 MC with 04 MCS bumpers

[danbanger]

Well I recieved my bumpers today and installed them. Front bumper installation went well but the rear doesn't. The problem is I need to take my MC rear valences to put on the MCS bumper but the valence doesn't line up with the MCS bumpers.

Before:

!!@#!@# Caution 56k https://home.comcast.net/%7Emtown408x/mini3.JPG


After:


And heres the rear bumpers and you can see why I'm having a problem with lining up the MC valence with the MCS bumper.


What should I do? Would an '04 (or earlier) model rear valence for a MC fit on the 04 MCS rear bumper? Thanks.

[danbanger]

anyone?

[centre exit]

yes, the 04 or older cooper bumper vallance (the black bits)
will fit the cooper s bumpers.
when i had my cooper i fitted cooper s bumpers to it and it
looked good.the only thing i found that i needed to fit all three
pieces of the vallance as the s type are thicker.

hope this is of some help.
lee.

[danbanger]

Quote: Originally Posted by centre exit

yes, the 04 or older cooper bumper vallance (the black bits)
will fit the cooper s bumpers.
when i had my cooper i fitted cooper s bumpers to it and it
looked good.the only thing i found that i needed to fit all three
pieces of the vallance as the s type are thicker.

hope this is of some help.
lee.

Thanks. Are you saying that I cant use the side bits of the MCS, so I'll need all three bits of an 04 model MC valence or later?

[centre exit]

thats right,
you cant use the centre piece as its for a centre
exhaust so it means that the two side pieces wont match up to
it as the are "thicker".
unfortunatly you will have to replace all
three bits.
is it possible that you could sorce them 2nd hand?

but saying that they might not that expensive new!

[AndrewBradbury]

I just replaced the rear bumper on my 05 MC thinking that I'd only need to replace the center trim piece, but you need the two side pieces too, as center exit says. I assumed the 05 and 04 MC trim pieces would be interchangable, but apparently not (there's about half an inch over overlap where the wheel arch trim and bottom trim meet). The good news is that the trim pieces are really cheap, less than $20 for the whole set.

Danbanger, have you considered replacing the chrome grille pieces on the bonnet? I'm in the process of doing that too, and I think it'll look good when it's done - plus the upper and lower grilles on your would match

[danbanger]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndrewBradbury

I just replaced the rear bumper on my 05 MC thinking that I'd only need to replace the center trim piece, but you need the two side pieces too, as center exit says. I assumed the 05 and 04 MC trim pieces would be interchangable, but apparently not (there's about half an inch over overlap where the wheel arch trim and bottom trim meet). The good news is that the trim pieces are really cheap, less than $20 for the whole set.

Danbanger, have you considered replacing the chrome grille pieces on the bonnet? I'm in the process of doing that too, and I think it'll look good when it's done - plus the upper and lower grilles on your would match

Yup, I plan on replacing the chrome grills too at some point. I'll be calling the dealer about the bits tomorrow, thanks for letting me know that I need all 3 bits.

Everyones help was greatly apreciated.

[AndrewBradbury]

If you can get a hold of the grille bits used, I'd opt for that... I got a quote for $200 for the single lower grille part alone! That's $200 for a painted piece of molded plastic worth maybe $5. They wouldn't even sell the upper part in anything other than primer. I'd also advise getting the plastic mounting part that the grille attaches too, as I couldn't seperate the grille from that part - it was $36 from the dealer.
I can get the part number for that tommorow if you need it. Good luck on removing the upper grille assembly, it's not the easiest thing; I broke several of the plastic bolts that secure it removing it.

[danbanger]

Wait I was talking about the aero black grills sorry

But if you were talking about these, I think you can get them online from websites such for about 80-100 usd

[AndrewBradbury]

Ahh, I was misunderstanding. Please post some photos with the aero grille installed, I'd love to see. I was considering doing the same to mine.