2nd Gen Front Grilles

[Matts Mini Adventure]

Quote: Originally Posted by Matts Mini Adventure (original)

I may be late but you can fit a cooper s grill to a cooper. and i was lead to belive that the dooper has the same grill its just the bonnet that is different

changed it sorry thinking oat i was going to put before i'd finished typing the last bit

[Stiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Matts Mini Adventure (original)

I may be late but you can fit a cooper s grill to a cooper. and i was lead to belive that the dooper has the same grill its just the bonnet that is different

Having tried it today, I can give you a definite answer:

No, you can't put a Cooper S grille on a Cooper D. The line of the top of the bonnet is OK, but the lower chrome surround won't fit: the Cooper D chrome doesnt fit the S grille, and the Cooper S chrome doesn't fit with the Cooper D bumper. If you had a Cooper S bumper it would probably be fine.

This leaves me nervous about getting a JCW Aero grille and trying it with the Cooper D chrome surrounds.

I took some pictures of the process, so If you want any tips on removing the grille let me know.

[Wind Diesel]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

Having tried it today, I can give you a definite answer:

No, you can't put a Cooper S grille on a Cooper D. The line of the top of the bonnet is OK, but the lower chrome surround won't fit: the Cooper D chrome doesnt fit the S grille, and the Cooper S chrome doesn't fit with the Cooper D bumper. If you had a Cooper S bumper it would probably be fine.

This leaves me nervous about getting a JCW Aero grille and trying it with the Cooper D chrome surrounds.

I took some pictures of the process, so If you want any tips on removing the grille let me know.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

Having tried it today, I can give you a definite answer:

No, you can't put a Cooper S grille on a Cooper D. The line of the top of the bonnet is OK, but the lower chrome surround won't fit: the Cooper D chrome doesnt fit the S grille, and the Cooper S chrome doesn't fit with the Cooper D bumper. If you had a Cooper S bumper it would probably be fine.

This leaves me nervous about getting a JCW Aero grille and trying it with the Cooper D chrome surrounds.

I took some pictures of the process, so If you want any tips on removing the grille let me know.

I think im just gonna buy the JCW aero grille and try it....I think its the only way to find out....its got to work somewhere along the line as ScoobyDoo has done it as has Chip!

Having looked at the grille on the Dooper I borrowed im going to be a bit nervous of trying to take it off!

[Stiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

I think im just gonna buy the JCW aero grille and try it....I think its the only way to find out....its got to work somewhere along the line as ScoobyDoo has done it as has Chip!

Having looked at the grille on the Dooper I borrowed im going to be a bit nervous of trying to take it off!

I'll probably try it too, especially if I can get the JCW Aero grille for less than £40.

I will put up some pictures showing how to get the grille off. It's not too hard. Top tip; put some masking tape on the top of the bumper first to stop you scratching it. I now have two very small scratches on mine.

[jordangpboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

I'll probably try it too, especially if I can get the JCW Aero grille for less than £40.

I will put up some pictures showing how to get the grille off. It's not too hard. Top tip; put some masking tape on the top of the bumper first to stop you scratching it. I now have two very small scratches on mine.

If you could pop some pics up that would be great! Just to let you know, the JCW Aero grille is £30.57 from BM. Not done mine yet, was waiting on getting some spare plastic rivets.... just incase! ;-)

Pics would be great.

[Stiggy]

The pictures show the four fasteners at the top. Prise the cap out gently with two screwdrivers, then pull the whole cap out.
More pics to follow!

[airbusA346]

!!!!!!!!!!!! Try Chris at Woodmans for Grille, because DISCOUNT DISCOUNT DISCOUNT

[jordangpboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

The pictures show the four fasteners at the top. Prise the cap out gently with two screwdrivers, then pull the whole cap out.

Many thanks again for that. I will give it a go again. those rivets dont seem that sturdy to me. but will try it again tomorrow. cheers. :-)

[Stiggy]

Once you have removed the top four clips, you should be able to pull the top of the grille away from the radiator slightly (don't pull too hard!)

At the bottom of the grille, level with the top of the bumper, you will see large black plastic clips. These are actually part of the grille. Using small hands (or a long screwdriver) push the outer edge of the clip in towards the centre of the grill. Start at one end, and work your way through all four clips. The grille should then slide forwards. Be careful not to scratch the top of the bumper while doing this.

The first picture below shows a top view of the grille (as you would see it with your head under the bonnet. The second picture shows just one clip.

The next stage is removing the chrome on the bottom of the grille - see part #3.

[andrewcregan]

Just spoken to Phil at Woodmans, who says the JCW grille will NOT fit. He also said that the Cooper S grille will not fit easily (ok at top, problems at bottom - as already mentioned in previous posts) but thinks it may be possible, with a bit of 'fudging'. This is probably how some people have managed to get the S grille onto the Dooper - a bit of remodelling I suspect. As long as it looks good, this will do me
I am taking the Dooper in on Saturday, and will let you know how it goes.

Best regards, Andrew

[Stiggy]

Part #3 actually!

If you are plaing to use the chrome surrounds from your Cooper, you will need to remove the lower surround from the grille. The pictures below show a Cooper S grille, but the process is the same:

Once the grille is removed, you can see the clips clearly. With a flat blade screwdriver, gently lift the black plastic tags away from the chrome clips. There is a large clip at each end, and several small ones in the middle. Work from one end and gently pull the lower grille surround away.

Please note I haven't tried fitting the lower chrome surround with a JCW grille yet, but others have done it and say it works.

[Stiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by andrewcregan

Who would have ever thought this could be so confusing . Sounds like you couldn't get the S grille to fit the Dooper. Phil at Woodmans has a 'spare' S grille, and will attempt to fit it himself for me. He is already talking about 'shaving part' - sounds quite rude. Phil mentioned that he has received lots of phone calls about this recently, and I think will use my car as a testbed. All of a sudden that doesn't sound too great . As a dealership, I think they want to know what will or won't fit.

Mini really don't make this easy!!!

Yeah, it's the lower chrome trim that is the problem. You'd have to bend it expertly to make it fit. Here's a picture which shows the problem if you use the Cooper S lower chrome part.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

So is it the Aero grille that wont fit in the chrome trims from the Dooper??

This is far far far to confuzzling!

[andrewcregan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

Yeah, it's the lower chrome trim that is the problem. You'd have to bend it expertly to make it fit. Here's a picture which shows the problem if you use the Cooper S lower chrome part.

I thought the lower chrome trim from a Cooper S would not fit a Dooper?