[Markie]

Okay, let me know what you think of my new black grille? I kept thinking how good my LY/B MCS would look with a black grille, I even thought about painting my yellow grille but I didn't want to mess with it in case I wanted to turn it back to original spec. Then I saw an auction on Ebay for a black grille, come to find out it is a mini2 fellow by the name of "onemini". Apparently he has a black MINI One and wanted a chrome grille so he was selling his black one. I ended up being the high bidder and got the grille last week. It really looked like it had never been used. I think it looks super and everyone that has seen it has been very positive. It's too bad MINI doesn't give you a choice of grilles.

I'll bet I have the only MINI in North America with an exclusive MINI One part.

[Mike Clarke]

That looks good, sets off the yellow really well.

[dinlo]

I look good
Why don't you post more picture of your baby

[Harry Morant]

I like it! It does set the yellow off really well

[Keevan]

how easy was the change??? or how difficult.. after I saw that I would give it a try on my DS ... as I hate the Aero stuff and think chrome is too much, this might give my MCS a certain edge

[Markie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Keevan
how easy was the change??? or how difficult.. after I saw that I would give it a try on my DS ... as I hate the Aero stuff and think chrome is too much, this might give my MCS a certain edge

The top grille is actually pretty easy if you buy the whole piece (including the chrome part). It is held on with some speed nuts. I'd order some new speed nuts at the same time since they get a bit funky when you take them off. The bottom grille is where all the time and care needs to go. It basically is held on by a long piece of double sided tape and the ends go behind the chrome piece. You need to pop one side of the chrome piece off, its held on by plastic tabs. Then work the slat off by pulling up and wiggling it back and forth to free it from the tape. If you are careful you can reuse the tape. Then slide the slat toward the part of the chrome piece you pulled off. Just reverse the process on the new slat.

I actually like the aero grille, what I don't like is the bumper cover, its just a bit big for my taste and trying to fit the bottom aero grille to a standard cover was something I just didn't want to tackle.

[Markie]

Here is a picture of my grille on its original host.

[Dark Silver S]

Anyone try taking the grill slats out?

[MiniMan7]

Looks good, I never thought about anyone doing that to an S, but I must say, looks very well done!

[Markie]

Quote:

Originally posted by SCooperS
Anyone try taking the grill slats out?

Actually yes, when my MINI was damaged in the ice storm the body shop ordered a replacement grille and received just the slats. They painted it and when I went in to have it replaced I helped the guy take the slats out of the grille and fit the new ones. It certainly can be done but what a pain. We kept our fingers crossed that none of the plastic tabs (and there are plenty of them) didn't break (they didn't). I suppose if you wanted to same money you could go that route but it is really so much easier to get the whole grille.

[Keevan]

iluckily we have some ONEs here that changed to the chrome grille... I think I will give it a try

would be easier if I hadn't to buy these extra nuts...

I LOVE hood-scoop switching... you all should try it on meetings..

[Markie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Keevan
iluckily we have some ONEs here that changed to the chrome grille... I think I will give it a try

would be easier if I hadn't to buy these extra nuts...

I LOVE hood-scoop switching... you all should try it on meetings..

You can try to reuse the old nuts, if they aren't too badly bent up when you take them off.

Post a picture if you do it, I'd be interested to see another color with the black grille.

Actually a black hood scoop might look good.

[Dark Silver S]

Quote:

Originally posted by Markie
Actually yes, when my MINI was damaged in the ice storm the body shop ordered a replacement grille and received just the slats. They painted it and when I went in to have it replaced I helped the guy take the slats out of the grille and fit the new ones. It certainly can be done but what a pain. We kept our fingers crossed that none of the plastic tabs (and there are plenty of them) didn't break (they didn't). I suppose if you wanted to same money you could go that route but it is really so much easier to get the whole grille.

I was thinking of removing just the slats and fitting a black mesh instead. I did look at all of those tabs. I'd also like to remove the plastic that's right in front of the air intake.

[smiffy]

Ive got a black MINI ONE grille for sale, make me an offer

[Markie]

Quote:

Originally posted by smiffy
Ive got a black MINI ONE grille for sale, make me an offer

Great, now I have a created a market for all those black MINI ONE grilles laying around in folks garages. Better cut me in on some of the action.

[mrhollio]

Looks really good...!

I'd trade my black one with some one if I could decide what other color would look go on mine

[Mini Cruiser]

Do u still have the yellow front grill? if so would u like 2 sell it

[Kev'sCoop]

More yellow MC.

[Sealobo]

Looks tight!

[Markie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mini Cruiser
Do u still have the yellow front grill? if so would u like 2 sell it

I do still have a complete yellow front grille but I want to keep that just in case I ever want to switch back (or sell the car...for a new MINI of course). I have the yellow slats though if you are interested in that? You would have to exchange them with the slats that are in your grille now.