Thanks for posting this, I've been trying to figure out if I want to replace the grills or plastidip the stock ones as well as the headlight rings on my pepper white 06. This really helps my decision.

 

In the spirit of transparency, I did not do this all today. Got the windows tinted, stubby antenna, blacked out chrome beltline, and fabricated an aluminum turbo heat shield to protect the hood scoop. Next will be black out headlight rings, new grill and black out grill trim. I want to take the scoop off and cut out some of the insert to get more air into the engine compartment. Going to wait on most of the performance improvement till the warranty runs out in September.

 

How exactly did you black out the chrome belt line on the car anyways? I've been trying to think of the best way to do it, was hoping I wouldn't have to remove all of the window trim and stuff. Looks great!

 

I want to do that to my grill, looks great

 

It's a vinyl tape that I got from Detroit Tuned. It's the exact right width of the trim. $14.95, an exacto knife, and about 30 min. I want to do the door handles and the gas cap but have not found anyone that makes covers for those in black. Plastidip might be my only option there.

 

Could always just purchase the decorative overlays on ebay, then key the surface prime and paint those....They have stick tape on back. Since aesthetic creations no longer makes MINI stuff, it's basically our only solution.

 

Thanks, Gray Raven. I had not thought about that possibility. Good suggestion.

 

"Outmotoring"- the aftermarket Mini company - has the exact fit blackout trim tape for Mini's. this is typically where we get it from. Great service and prices.

 

I installed the GP2 diffuser today and then gave my MINI a bath.

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Hi Jason I blacked out my 2012 mini last summer & I used this vinyl electrical tape it is called Scotch Super 33+ it Coast $3 or 4 dollars at Walmart & for the money you can't beat it it is what the electricians use it is wide enough just start it at an end of of a belt line & don't pull or stretch it just let it go on easy .
I live in Phoenix & I was worried the 120 temps would damage it but so far it is good so good luck on your black out on your belt line .

 

Hi Vistaracer , I did my scoop last may I took the scoop off & removed the black grill & used a dermal & removed all the little squares then I put it back & then I cut some screen & put it behind the black grill to keep out the bugs also put a cold air intake with a K & N filter works good & sounds great a swishhh .

 

 

Hello, Did you order the new unit from us ? Part # 51167052158 With the snap in ring , with the pins and multiple tabs on the bottom. ?

Automatic Transmission Shifter Boot - Panther Black R50/ R52 / R53 version


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51167052158/





The ring does not have a separate part #.

Thanks

 

My wife's MINI was due for a new cabin air filter - cost at dealership $150 installed. So I ordered one online and picked up a K&N air filter to have enough for free shipping. I put them both in and the air blows much better in the cabin - the filter really was dirty, and I have noticed no difference yet with the K&N filter - but the stock filter wasn't too bad.

 

Gave my baby a roof rack for our weekend excursions



From my Note 3

 

shook my head sadly at the salt streaks on my MCS... she had her first winter visit to NH from SC, and of course managed to find a half foot of fresh snowfall... the good news is that the new Michelin Pilot Sports were more than up to the task of safe driving... and I learned to turn off the DSC when I have to start on a hill full of slop/ice...

 

I finally found the source of the annoying, mysterious rattle...Nope, wasn't the timing chain. Nor the noise maker vibrating against the firewall, or a bad water pump or friction wheel. Nor was it a man with a maraca hiding under the bonnet.

It turned out to be the manifold/turbo heat shield, vibrating against the turbo itself. I get to wait until tomorrow for everything to cool down, and then figure out where to go from there. Hopefully service mode is as cool as it sounds

 

I removed the plastic rings on the posts of the rear seat headrests that prevented them from going all the way down as they were designed to do. Now they don't block my rear view and have a 'factory finished' look to them.

 

What roof rack is that?

 

There is one on the front that mounts to the rear section with a couple bolts, there 10mm and can be reached from the bottom with a stubby box end or a small ratchet with a extension. Check there first.

Diagram #5 Heat Resistant Plate Part # 18307595606


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/18307595606/



&

The one on the backside up against the engine, There are a couple of bolts and a turbo brace in front of its. If someone replaced the turbo oil line and did not tighten it down it could rattle. But its most likely the front one.

Diagram #19 Heat Resistant Plate Part # 11657588556


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11657588556/




Last but no least is the top one. Which mounts over the turbo and has the hole for the upper oxygen sensor , this bolts near the front of the valve cover and then to the top of that front down-pipe cover. Check the bolts in those locations, again if someone did a repair before they might not be tighten down of the flexible tin heat materiel could just be bent and rattles with the engine shaking.

Diangram # 17 Turbo Heat Shield Part # 11657595605


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11657595605/



Thanks

 

Took apart my DDMworks intake yesterday to clean the K&N filter. Once black but now back to its off color purple after a good hosing and blowdryer were put to it.

 

Took winter wheels off my Sparco wheels to put on the stockers, now the sparco rally wheels are for sale!

-B

 

Just stick a matchbook in there, that'll keep it from vibrating.





(Kidding! I've seen that "fix" in far too many places in many cars, though.)



Hey, wait--"Speedbird"? Is that a reference to British Airways? Very amusing...

 

I haven't done it yet but im currently looking at getting a GP type rear spoiler for my R56. I have it narrowed down to two Brands.
1. Orranje
2. Fubrication
Im just not sure which one I should go with yet! Any ideas? Cheers!

 

It's too bad the oem GP2 spoiler is crazy $$$, or I would be considering it.

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