For the better part of the past year, I was just another run-of-the-mill MINI owner who was perfectly happy (and, in fact, took pride in) my perfect condition, low mileage, and absolutely 100% stock '05 PW/B R50.

Then, as some may recall, my front end was wiped clean by an evil minivan in late June. The sordid details were shared in this forum(https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=105394) and many DCMMers offered their heartfelt and much appreciated condolences. You all helped me cope with the difficult, MINI-less aftermath.

Embedded in these many posts was one passing suggestion by the well known and well traveled Wagnbat. He thought that I really ought to consider an Aero Kit for the front since it needed to be replaced anyway, and it wouldn't really add that much cost, etc. etc. Prior to this, I hadn't even thought about the possibility of a non-stock replacement. I felt my mental gears mesh and begin to spin up. Hmmmm.....

Well, that "bat bite" has blossomed into a full blown modding disease! Check out the before/during/after pics below. I ended up having the entire Aero Kit installed--front, sides, and boot--along with an R53 bonnet with a flat black scoop. I absolutely love the PW side panels and I think the new look up front is far superior. Over the past two weeks I've also placed orders for m7 STPs and white side marker lenses, and I have my eye on some 205/50-16s, lightweight chrome on black wheels, and a CAI.

Is this what it means to "be assimilated?" I feel my wallet getting lighter by the minute...but I'm back to being one giddy motoring dude!

Oh by the way, I highly recommend Royal Auto Body in Sterling if you need any major body work done. This is the outfit affiliated with MoS. The lead tech Ali was extremely helpful and seemed to genuinely enjoy giving SHADOWFAX the new look. The quality of work was outstanding, and the whole experience was better than expected. Given all of the BMWs and other MINIs at the shop there, I imagine their staff needs to be good to put up with all of the extremely picky owners.

Links to historical pics:

Before: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e=big&cat=1672

At the scene: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e=big&cat=1976

After: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e=big&cat=2015

 

Very nice!!!

 

It appears as though you found a silver lining, very nice.

 

Yeah, it's in my wallet--easily seen now with the absence of cash.

 

Looks very nice! Love the flat black around the aero grills and the scoop.

 

Fantastic!!!

Donna

 

Found the silver bonnet stripes even! Looked into them deeply, and saw that it was good!

Very nice Mineartg! Sorry to lighten your wallet, but if you're enjoying your Mini more, than it's worth it though... Also one of those cases where you can assure yourself that now your Mini is better than new! Gratzy!

 

That looks great, it is exactly what I had planned for my Cooper (minus the bonnet), just haven't gotten around to lightening my wallet.

Maybe @ 30k? :D

edit: Is there any way to keep the chrome grills with the Aero Kit?

 

ha ha great stuff... watch out for that bug.. now you have to feed it... and it will grow... and you will have to feed it mooooore

 

Your car looks fabulous!!!

 

Very nice indeed!

What's the scoop give you, extra 10 HP?

 

My daughter had to get some lot of painful shots after being bitten by a bat a Girl Scouts camp last summer (it was on the news). Your kind of bat bite is a tad better, although probably much more expensive.!

 

Great transformation! A small accident and a large conversion bill, well worth it. I cannot wait to see it with wheels fitting the Aero Kit. After the CAI, I imagine you will have to put on a SC, etc. etc. etc.

Watch the mod bug

Really do like the pictures, glad you came out well from the accident.

 

Not sure...I never really asked. I knew I was going with the flat black panels from the start.

 

Very NICE! Glad that you took Will's suggestion...He usually has good ones! And that was a good one!