That should work. You *should* be able to order that 1 part separately if you call the parts department at your local dealer. I don't think that package was available when this thread was created...

(Personally I like to deal with Colin from MINI of Ontario for parts even though he's on the opposite of the country as me... he always answers emails fast and is super helpful/knowledgeable. colinb@miniofontario.com http://www.miniofontario.com/MeetOurDepartments )

Anyone try to fit black grill yet?

Had a non-S JCW grille from my 2010 that I tried to fit on my 2011 back in January... Problem with fitment is that the bumper on the 2011 sticks out further than the 2010 - grille is the right height and width, but isn't long enough when installed.

S grille isn't going to fit - it's not a problem with the hood, it's the difference in the corners of the lower grille / trim - the "S" corners are slightly more "pointy" than the non-S (find pics and compare).

RealOEM.com confirms that the grille with the JCW aero kit is the same for S/Non-S (same part number). Since they no longer have to accommodate a difference in the hood, presumably the whole front bit of the kit is the same. So the grille by itself won't fit a non-S.

To the point, I believe we're screwed when it comes to a JCW grille for 2011-2012 Coopers with stock bumpers as I don't see them releasing a JCW part specific for that application. I'd love for someone to prove me wrong - I've got my grille slats painted black, but it just doesn't look as good as the JCW grille did on my 2010.

I'm on the lookout for a good deal on an S front bumper, myself... If I don't find one I may bite the bullet and buy a JCW front bumper just to be rid of the MINI-blind look (pun intended). :wink:

Now that I have my car, Im glad the Aero grill didn't fit. I like the retro look the chrome gives it with the lamps too.

Thanks for the info grueinthebox I think I am going to paint my grill black also. It's still a cool look but I agree that its not as cool as the JCW one.

Was checking RealOEM.com to get the part number for the chrome rib for the lower grille (mine got knocked off by a flying tire tread on the freeway yesterday), and noticed that they list two non-chrome package grilles for the '11+ non-S Coopers there:

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...=51&fg=15&hl=2

02Grill frontSCHWARZ1

51112751291

02Grill frontCHROM1

51112752364


"SCHWARZ" translates to "black"... Wondering what that grille looks like. Anyone have any info, or able to find anything by the PN?

any new news on these? I'd like to replace the grill on my 2012 non-S I just bought.

Joe

I haven't taken the time to pursue it - the parts department on this side of town isn't that spectacular and I haven't been to the MINI dealer on the other side of town for awhile.

I did end up redoing my grille with plastidip spray instead of paint after getting my new lower trim bit. If anyone's thinking of painting, I'd have to say I'm liking the plastidip better. It matches very closely in color and texture to the unpainted wheel arches and lower body side moldings.

It occurs to me that if anyone cares to e-mail OutMotoring, they might be able to find out about the black vs. chrome part numbers... If it panned out, could potentially be a new product for them to stock.

Mini of South Atlanta has these two parts with prices and an assembly detail sketch.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/6hmxgjr

I sent a link to this thread to Aaron Cornaby at Outmotoring.com after asking him if he had any updates.

He seemed excited about it actually said "this MAY be the part we have been waiting for and all though it is not the black mesh style the black horizontal rib grill would be exciting for a LOT of cooper owners...I am ordering 3 today to see what I get..."

Cross our fingers.

Joe

I be "justa" awaitin'... (crossing fingers)

2011 Cooper HB (non-S)

i wouldn't paint the base grille because the paint would be chipped off. that's what happened to the paint on my headlight rings.

Use black tape( electrical tape ) on the grille. Thats what I did.

Is the pic in your sig before or after you painted? I'm trying to paint just the ribs of my front grill but can't figure out how to take just the ribs off to paint! I don't want to have to spend hours masking the front of the car to paint just the ribs. Can you share what you painted and how you did it?

Outmotoring got some in:

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop..._facelift.html

Outmotoring is now selling the horizontal slat grills in black mentioned above.

On their website.

Joe

You'll need to take the whole grille off, then you can get the ribs off. They're just clipped in place, but the clips are quite tough to get the first time you do it. I used a small flat head screwdriver to undo them.

Once off, I just made a rack for the slats from a scrap piece of wood and some 3" nails, scuffed them with sandpaper, cleaned with rubbing alcohol and painted. Recommendation would be to skip the sanding and just clean with rubbing alcohol then spray with plastidip. Use a bunch of light coats and you should be good. If you ever want to go back to chrome the plastidip can be peeled off and in the meantime doesn't scratch/chip as easily as paint

Looks like a great solution!

I'd suggest they pick up a few of part number 51117250786 - the "finisher rod" (single "fin" for the lower grille) that's not listed as chrome. If you get a black grille you're going to need the black piece for the bottom as well. Maybe sell them as a set...

I'd like some good pictures of the OE black grille - finish, etc... It's a little spendy, especially since the lower bit likely retails for around $60 (at least the chrome one does) to go with it, so it'll need to be significantly nicer than my plastidipped bits (price: ~$6-7) to merit a switch.

We have done quite a few of these grille swaps in-house and they look awesome.

We also feature these on our website here: http://mini.sewellparts.com/accessor...2011/5032.html

As always, your forum discount applies to all purchases (register and login to see adjusted pricing)

Thats a great idea! I just checked and part number 51-11-7-250-786 is unavailable at the moment. I have just ordered some and will create a kit as soon as we receive them.

New Black Grill
 

Just to update on that black grill part I got from Outmotoring.com. Got it on Tuesday. Installed it this morning. It took 5 minutes to do.

Really pleased with the look!

New photos attached:
http://www.eojdesign.com/miniblackgrill-1.jpg
http://www.eojdesign.com/miniblackgrill-2.jpg

:thumbsup:

Black grille surrounds now?

Thanks for the pics. I'm seriously considering that grille.