Have any you guys done it? I'm thinking of wrapping the chrome frame and swapping the black center bar with an undrilled one. I tried undoing the few visible torx screws but nothing moved. Does the bumper need to be removed to get to it?

TIA!

 

I need to get my chrome surround off to replace it with my colour coded one!

So +1 for removal info!

I have read the the front bumper / floor pan under the bumper needs to be removed :(

 

I wrestled with this very question when I ordered my MINI-S. I ended up going with the 16" wheels (black) because I thought the 15" were too small (would probably look better on the Justa) and I thought the 17" wheels were more than I needed. 16" wheels look the best overall on the new MINI IMO. It's bottom line personal choice, though.

 

???

 

R99 did you do this yet?

 

I'll go to the dealer this weekend and bring some venti mochas. May be they'll let me take a little peek on their service book

 

I was meant to do this today - but its now getting done next week instead!

 

I'm interested in this too. I looked at one at the dealer and it looked like a plastic shield is blocking access. I only saw two screws holding it in place, so removing it should give you enough room to pop the surround off. I'm just guessing here.

 

I looked at mine last night. I would guess that you have to pull the whole front off the car. That way you have access from the inside of the trim to remove the clips etc.
I took mine 3/4's off and could not get to the cilps under the black bumper. I think this is popped together before it goes on the car...:-)

 

Have the info from MINI. You have to pull the whole front. Should be easy though. Will do on the weekend and post pics!

 

Not quite sure what you are doing but I removed the factory non s grille on my 2011 Clubman and replaced it with an S model grille. Once you remove the torx bolts you have to reach behind the plastic grille but in front of the radiator to find plastic tabs that snap the grille into the pumper. Push these to the side , to the right I think and the grille comes out. The chrome bottom part of the grille is separate and snap also.

 

I've figured out how to pull any part off the front bumper without damaging it.
SODA66 - tried your method but there is a chance you could over stress the joints. It's easier and recommended to take the bumper off and then you can work from behind.
Check my post on removing the front bumper.