How To How To: Blackout Grille Trim/JCW Grille
#1
How To: Blackout Grille Trim/JCW Grille
Job: Convert the stock MCS chrome grille surround to the black version, like the JCW aero kit has. Optional: Swap the stock MCS plastic mesh grille with the almost-identical-but-sutbly-different JCW grille. (The JCW version has a coarser pitch of the grille openings. It's also made of a softer material, although that probably doesn't matter much...)
Before:
After:
This is mostly to educate those who wonder how hard this swap is. The answer is, it's almost laughably easy. You could do it in ten minutes. Sorry, I don't have pics of each step, but I don't think you'll need them.
Tools you'll need:
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Small flat-blade screwdriver
Parts you'll need (available HERE, among other places...):
- Upper and lower JCW-style black grille surrounds
- (Option) JCW mesh grille
How To Install:
Upper Surround
- Open the bonnet (hood)
- Remove four Phillips-head screws that secure the upper grille surround to the bonnet. Wiggle the surround loose.
- Wipe the bottom edge of your bonnet clean of all the hood-goo that inevitably has dripped down from inside the bonnet.
- Press the new surround into place.
- Replace the four screws. Do NOT overtighten!
Lower Surround Removal
- With the bonnet open, reach behind each corner of the grille to find a little plastic tab that retains the corners of the grille surround. Pull on the tab while gently pulling the grille surround on that side. Repeat for other side. The just tug the surround loose.
- Wipe away hood-goo.
JCW Grille
- Use the flat-bladed screwdriver to pry up the center of the push-fasteners at the top of the grille. Once the center of the fastener is maybe 3/8" extended, you can wiggle the fastener loose.
- With the lower surround removed, you'll see four little sideways tabs poking out from the bottom of the grille. Push these sideways -- I think each one pushes towards the center of the grille, although it's not in front of me. The grille will pop loose.
- While the grille is off, wipe away still more hood goo.
- Install the new grille by carefully fitting into place and pushing to secure the four lower tabs.
- Reinstall the push fasteners. Make sure the fastener center post is still extended before you try to insert the fastener in the hole, or it'll jam without going in.
Lower grille surround re-install
- Carefully line up all the futzy little tabs, and press the surround into place.
Done!
--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net
Before:
After:
This is mostly to educate those who wonder how hard this swap is. The answer is, it's almost laughably easy. You could do it in ten minutes. Sorry, I don't have pics of each step, but I don't think you'll need them.
Tools you'll need:
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Small flat-blade screwdriver
Parts you'll need (available HERE, among other places...):
- Upper and lower JCW-style black grille surrounds
- (Option) JCW mesh grille
How To Install:
Upper Surround
- Open the bonnet (hood)
- Remove four Phillips-head screws that secure the upper grille surround to the bonnet. Wiggle the surround loose.
- Wipe the bottom edge of your bonnet clean of all the hood-goo that inevitably has dripped down from inside the bonnet.
- Press the new surround into place.
- Replace the four screws. Do NOT overtighten!
Lower Surround Removal
- With the bonnet open, reach behind each corner of the grille to find a little plastic tab that retains the corners of the grille surround. Pull on the tab while gently pulling the grille surround on that side. Repeat for other side. The just tug the surround loose.
- Wipe away hood-goo.
JCW Grille
- Use the flat-bladed screwdriver to pry up the center of the push-fasteners at the top of the grille. Once the center of the fastener is maybe 3/8" extended, you can wiggle the fastener loose.
- With the lower surround removed, you'll see four little sideways tabs poking out from the bottom of the grille. Push these sideways -- I think each one pushes towards the center of the grille, although it's not in front of me. The grille will pop loose.
- While the grille is off, wipe away still more hood goo.
- Install the new grille by carefully fitting into place and pushing to secure the four lower tabs.
- Reinstall the push fasteners. Make sure the fastener center post is still extended before you try to insert the fastener in the hole, or it'll jam without going in.
Lower grille surround re-install
- Carefully line up all the futzy little tabs, and press the surround into place.
Done!
--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net
#4
#6
#7
Have had the JCW grill trim on since late April...love it:
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rill_trim.html
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rill_trim.html
__________________
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865-223-6335
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865-223-6335
OutMotoring.com: Home of the finest MINI and Aston Martin Parts + Accessories.
Shop online at www.OutMotoring.com
Free Shipping on most orders over $195 Click HERE
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#8
bump
I know it's been two years since this thread was last posted-to, but: these instructions are still good!
R56 upper black grille surround: part number 51 13 0 417 135
R56 lower black grille surround: part number 51 13 0 442 011
A pair of pliers to squeeze the upper-surround center clips gently helps remove the old one
from the hood more quickly than just prying on it -- FYI.
R56 upper black grille surround: part number 51 13 0 417 135
R56 lower black grille surround: part number 51 13 0 442 011
A pair of pliers to squeeze the upper-surround center clips gently helps remove the old one
from the hood more quickly than just prying on it -- FYI.
#9
For those of you that had an easy time with this... how hard did you have to pull the lower grill surround? I had the clips realeased on either side and i could not get it to pry away from the grill. I was pulling firmly, but it felt if i had pulled much harder something could break.
Has anything changed with this with the 2011 refresh?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Has anything changed with this with the 2011 refresh?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
#10
#11
#13
#14
pm'd i know its been a few months
#20
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