I was actually thinking about going the other way. Is it possible to put the chrome slats from a Justa on my Roadster S?

 

I would think not for the same reason you can't swap a 2011+ MCS grill with a 2011+ Justa. But I could be wrong

 

After searching for hours, I found it!

http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NMX1...i-Cooper-Non-s

 

After searching for hours, I found it!

http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NMX1...i-Cooper-Non-s

 

Thanks! I couldn't believe that it fits the 2011+ Justas

 

Finally...! I can't believe that producers have been waited to do this for two years..!

 

Yea IDK what taken them so long. After talking to a few companies, I've heard that they have been thinking of making this part for some time, but didn't have the demand for the product to put it into production. From what it seems EVERYONE has been looking for this. Whatever.. it's here now

 

Yep, as you said that probably they were not sure about demand and decided to wait for more potential customers on roads

 

Hmmm.......I'd like to believe this, but.....

MiniMania shows the grille as fitting "2007-2013 R56 MINI Cooper Hatchback"

Outmotoring has a similar (the same??) grille but says "R56: 2007-xxx* Hatchback: Cooper* (does NOT fit 2011 and newer Cooper!)".

Not sure how BOTH statements can be true.

If someone buys this and it fits....PLEEEEASE post.......I really would like one of these.

 

The description is a bit unclear, but all the pics show the grille on a car with a JCW aero kit, which will have the same shape lower trim as an "S". Don't imagine this is going to fit without either a JCW aero kit being installed or modifying a lower piece of "S" trim to fit on the grille and match the contour of the non-S bumper as described elsewhere.

 

Kinda figured it wouldn't be easy...the search continues.
I'm sure not gonna spring for a JCW Aero just to be able to use the grille.
May have to get "creative", if I can find some time.

 

I picked up a take-off '09 S front bumper... Hoping to find a place where I can get a used bumper carrier and supports so I can paint and install it, otherwise I'll pick up the kit they sell for installing a JCW kit on an '11+ (has the carrier and supports, but cheaper than buying the parts separately). Much cheaper than a JCW bumper, will allow me to use a JCW or S grille and trim, plus won't look as ugly as the '11 front bumper and gets me a lower grille that matches the upper.

If I wasn't doing that I'd probably just get a piece of S lower grille trim and cut it as described earlier in the thread. Shouldn't be that bad to do rather than waiting around for a part that probably ain't coming at this point.

 

It says it doesn't fit the 2012 Cooper non-S.

Has anyone found a non-slat black front grill for the 2012 mini Non-S?

Thanks all...

 

Can you guys email me pics of the plasti-dipped grills on your car. The links will not let me view them. Rich2279@hotmail.com

 

Thanks Mark! Could you give a little tutorial or information on how you cut the chrome?

 

I'm also interested in doing a blackout grille, but not very keen on the "slat" look. Want the JCW grille but not about to buy the entire aero kit just for this.

2013 non-S.

I think of PD as a last resort, really would prefer a mesh grille. Are there any options that don't require cutting chrome (which is something I have no idea how to do)??

Thanks!

 

Have you seen the "slats" blacked out? I don't think it would look that bad. They look really good when done the body color.

 

Options for a JCW or S grille are either cut the trim piece to fit the bumper or replace the bumper to fit the uncut trim piece. Square peg / round hole, as it were...

 

How did you go about cutting the trim to fit perfectly?

 

I'd guess a Dremel and a lot of care, but I've not done it as I'm going with option 'B'. Until I get the bumper support I need I've just plasti-dipped my non-S grille.

 

It's actually not that difficult. The chroming on the grille surround is actually quite nice and substantial, so it does't chip off like one might expect. Here are some tips to getting the job done:

- tape a small piece of paper to the corner of your original grille surround (once off the vehicle) and trace the outline. remove it and cut it out to create a nice template for the new trim piece. you only need to make 1 template since both sides are the same, just flip it over. match the top outer corner and bottom edge of your template to the new trim piece and transfer the outline.

- cover all surfaces of the new piece that are to be trimmed with masking tape. this allows you to trace the outline and it protects the chrome from scratches and chipping when cutting it to size.

- you can use a thin, small tooth coping saw to cut the trim piece. its a little tough to get it started through the chrome, so try starting the saw through the back edge, so the saw can bit into a non-rounded surface. I used a band saw with an 1/8" blade to do this, but its not necessary.

- cut a little bit outside the line and then sand the rest down to the line using black (wet or dry) 400 grit sand paper on a rubber sanding block. optionally, you can follow up with 600 - 800 - 1000 grit to really smooth it out and knock down any sharp edges. again, i used a stationary power sander, but a typical body shop style hand sanding block will do this job easily.

- when sanding, the masking tape has a tendency to lift up and curl over, so frequently check to make sure you aren't sanding past your lines. every once in a while you can pull the curled edge of the masking tape off where it meets the actual edge you're working with.

that's pretty much it. its actually quite easy and painless, and if you really screw things up, the chrome trim piece is only $26 brand new, so its not the end of the world. the whole process took me about 30-45 minutes.