Not bad at all. Top one's a bolt in, mid and lower require removal of the bumper cover.
You can install the mid over the existing grill as its part of the molding, I chose to cut it out for more airflow.
The lower requires the most patience. You need to drill into the bumper cover and make sure everything's even.

I plan on blacking out behind them in the spring when it's warm enough to paint.

 

Thanks! Me too. The visibility is 100X better than the stock white halogens. Planning to order the city light bulbs that match the temp of the Xenons next.

 

The culmination of the weekend's project.

Before:






AFTER:

 

Looks awesome! Did you install spacers or is that the rim width?

 

17x8.25 +25mm with 215/45/17

Sits a bit too far offset for me, but there wasn't really anything else in the $500 range that was wider than a 7.5" so I bit the bullet. I'd be happier with 10mm less offset, but I'm still pretty happy. Probably going to run these tires till bald, then go with a 215/40/17 and then lower the car about 0.5-0.75"

 

Sweet, looks good! I agree on the offset

 

Thanks guys Red and black have always been my favorite too. Now I am trying to figure out a way to tint some of the chrome away on the head lights and taillights and ill be all de chromed.

 

Did you paint the roof and mirrors? A suggestion if you don't mind - black out the tail light rings to match the headlight rings for consistency. Maybe black out the belt line too. Maybe the grill....... With those wheels and offset you could experience scrubbing under load or hard driving on the wheel arches if you drop it They are going to sit right on top of the tires. Good weekends work though, wow!

 

Very nice. You going to keep the grille chrome?

 

Nice the EB, one of my fav from Gen 1 colors.

 

Wrapped in Avery Gloss Black vinyl. R53 tailights don't have rings, the chrome is inside the housing no? Belt line black out is next weekends project. Black Aero grille is a few weeks from now, need to spread out the purchases a bit, wheels made a dent in my spare change bucket. Already scrubbing at speed on bumps. Not too worried. When I eventually swap to 215/40/17's it won't be a problem anymore.

 

Nope.


Thanks!

 

The wheels are XXR's right?.. I almost went with a set of those, but ended up getting a steal of a deal on some Enkei's. I really like how meaty of a stance those wheels give your MINI as I've always been a fan of that look. Keep up the good work.

 

Cleaned him up a little bit. Getting ready to detail him next month.

 

Yup. XXR 527's I think. They were the best wheels I could find for around $500

Thanks!!!

 

Looks good. From that angle the windows look really dark

 

Thanks! Yes, it does look quite dark! I had MINI install the tint back in the day before the car was shipped to AZ. I believe it is 35% all the way around.

 

Cool, I got the same but it looked real dark in that photo! Looking good

 

Finally blacked out the chrome rings around the headlights. Not the best job, but plasti dip comes off quite easy.

 

Matches the grille and the other trim, nice job.

 

Greetings, I have have had my newly purchased 2007 mini cooper s in shop here in great falls montana for a week now. They are replacing the timing chain assembly and a couple of things in it. It is a pepper white beauty. I'm pretty nervous about getting it back and hoping the sounds it was making mm are gone now.... I was so let down that after buying it, that it needed the fix. It has 90,000 miles so I guess it was due for it too. I've been doing soooo much reading on this car and love the things one can do with it. That's what I'm doing with my mini today....

 

Installed camber plates and the FSD's and OMG it handles/rides so much better. Never realize how bad something is until you dig in. Found out we need CV's, brakes, and end links now.

 

Interesting... What year and how many miles?

I cant wait to refresh the suspension. Hoping for that same feeling... gradual decline over the years and then boom! Brand new...

 

I have FSDs at home waiting for new bump stops and camber plates to arrive. Can't wait to try them out!

James

 

Well today I banged out my mushroomed towers and installed some Cravenspeed STD's. Feel much better now.