Anyone know if 2012 JCW hardtop will have the black headlight housing option? Canada has it, and the new JCW coupe has the option too... I was always confused why the 2011 JCW didn't have that option.

Also, I heard the JCW aero kit no longer has the black grille surround. Is this true for just the JCW package on other mini's, or is it for factory JCWs and their included aero kit too? I was planning on ordering a Midnight Black JCW and think it would look much better with the black grille surround and headlights.

Thanks

Edit: Looking at the configurator, the JCW Coupe has a completely black grille. I'm assuming that means the JCW Hardtop will have it too. Maybe Mini is trying to differentiate a bit between the JCW package aero kit, and the included factory JCW one.

It should be on the 2012 Ordering Guide. Haven't seen one posted yet, but I googled and found a download available here. Blocked at work, so can't pull the document to see.

If anyone can check, and post if it looks legit?

Also, you will know about the headlight option when you place your order, as the dealer will have all ordering/options info. Grille surround can easily be changed if it shows up as chrome.

I have the 2012 guide, and you CAN spec black housings on all Minis. However, you can NOT get the adaptive lights (halogen or xenon) but you MUST add xenons and white turn signals. Not being able to spec the adaptive lights was the deal-breaker for me. I had this on my M3, it wasn't offered on my A4 Avant (and I REALLY missed it) so I made absolutely sure the Mini had it.

Yes, you can get black headlight housings but have to add Xenons and white turn signals, and can't get adaptive headlights.

JCW HT will now come standard with the JCW aerokit, which has the black grille surround. There was some snafu at the factory/with the supplier and it came with a chrome surround for a few months during MY11 production, but it should be sorted out.

Two things to note though, which your dealer may have mentioned to you:
- MY12 JCW HT MSRP will go up by $800 ($700 for the aerokit + $100 for the floor mats)
- Production for JCW HT (and JCW Convert) won't start until November given the aerokit change and the required adjustments at the factory and with the supplier.

It REALLY blows that the Clubbie has the increase but no Aero Kit

Awesome, thanks for the info guys.

Clubbie only has the $100 increase because of the floormats. It doesn't get the aero kit, which is why it doesn't get another $700 bump...

My dealer contact in Dallas said the aero kit raised the price $800 and the mats were another $100 for total increase of $900.

I'd rather have the $700 bump since the kit will cost us over 3 grand now.

I'm so happy Canada doesn't have the price increase for 2012 AND we get standard JCW Aero on the hatch!

I'm hoping I get the black grill surround when the car arrives... The Canadian configurator is so completely useless and not even updated for 2012 yet. I did order the black headlight surrounds too.

Just wanted to reignite this thread...

Has anyone seen a US spec 2012 Factory JCW Hatch with the standard aero kit yet? I know that JCW Coupes have hit the States with a chrome grille surround, but does anyone have confirmation of what kind of grille surround (chrome or black) comes with the 2012 US spec JCW Hatch?

It's funny because the configurator clearly shows black on the Coupes. I'm thinking it was a running change in the model year. I'll see if I can find another 2012 US spec car over here.

Checking the MINI Canada website, the car info parts have a Hatch with the new JCW Aero (the front diffuser is split into three pieces - the old kit was split in the center in two I think) and it has a Chrome grill surround. The JCW Coupe photos also have the same grill surround.

But go to the Canadian "configurator", and they *still* have the same non-JCW Aero pictures and old JCW options listed. It's mid November MINI - come on!

Anyways, a local dealership has several "2012 Factory JCW" cars... I put in quotes because they got them extremely early so I have my doubts. I didn't check VIN numbers or look carefully at the Aero kit... but they did have chrome grill surrounds. Anyways, it's an easy fix either $100 for the grill or $20 for vinyl if worse comes to worse and I really hate the chrome grill.

Well...for those of us who wanted the black grille surround in the US, I noticed that MINI quietly updated the US configurator with a CHROME grille surround. Up to now, it had been updated for the standard JCW Aero Kit, but with the black grille surround.

This, plus knowing and seeing JCW Coupes with the chrome is likely confirmation enough (prior to acutually seeing a 2012 Hatch in the flesh...) that our hopes for a black grille surround have been laid to rest.

I can only hope that my MA does the right thing and swaps it out for me upon delivery since I asked him specifically if I would be getting a black grille surround...

FWIW, I was looking at the OEM parts on a few sites and I think I figured out the problem. Even the OEM black grill surrounds don't fit the aero bumper so MINI doesn't have a lower grill they could even install on the cars. That doesn't explain why the R55 didn't at least get it since we got screwed out of the aero kit entirely, but it is what it is I guess.

I am a little disappointed to say, but it looks like factory JCWs in Canada are all showing up with chrome grill surrounds:


20111119--JCW_Winters_Installed_Dealership by walk0080, on Flickr


This is my car waiting for pick-up on Monday. Just had winter wheels installed. I am going to leave it for a month or so and see if I still want to vinyl it black.

I just ordered my midnight black JCW and the "configurator" kept putting the chrome grill surround on. But I was assured by the dealer that it would be black when it arrives. Otherwise they would switch it out to black.

I just picked up mine in Dallas this past week, and it came with the chrome.

Just got mine. It's chrome, fellas.

My understanding is that the old black grille surround won't fit the 2012 because the front bumper is different.

I believe that you will only get black grille surrounds if you order a JCW Aero Kit on a non-JCW. I am working on trying to get these parts numbers to confirm this since we have not had a non-JCW with Aero Kit come in yet. I am hoping the new catalog update will also provide us with some information.

Just have the chrome surrounds vinyl wrapped. They're easy to take off and won't cost much at all to get wrapped. Those of you who were promised black could probably get the dealer to pay for the wrapping.

I'm going to plasti-dip mine when I get back stateside.