My fiance just bought me the JCW Grille Kit from OutMotoring. Prior to this kit, the only option to change the stock grilles to the black grilles was the modification of the Aero Kit grilles. OutMotoring has the JCW Grille kit that doesn't require modification.
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rsion_kit.html
We attempted to install the JCW Grilles this evening but we couldn't figure out how to get the license plate bracket and the lower stock grille off without having to remove the bumper.
We came back into the house and searched on Google and on NAM and found guides that didn't really help all that much. They went into great detail about how to modify the Aero Grilles and that's it.
- How do we remove the license plate bracket without having to take the bumper off?
- How do we remove the lower stock grille without having to take the bumper off?
This is my R53 right now:

Thanks so much for everyone's help!!!!
Quadrivium10
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rsion_kit.html
We attempted to install the JCW Grilles this evening but we couldn't figure out how to get the license plate bracket and the lower stock grille off without having to remove the bumper.
We came back into the house and searched on Google and on NAM and found guides that didn't really help all that much. They went into great detail about how to modify the Aero Grilles and that's it.
- How do we remove the license plate bracket without having to take the bumper off?
- How do we remove the lower stock grille without having to take the bumper off?
This is my R53 right now:

Thanks so much for everyone's help!!!!

Quadrivium10
Remove license plate. You will then find two screws that hold the license plate housing to the bumper. I am pretty sure that you will need to remove the bumper in order to remove the existing grill part. You really need to get at it from the back, so as to move the plastic 'latches' that hold it in. Also, I recall that there may be some double-sided tape involved.
2nd Gear
Removing the bumper actually isn't a difficult task at all, i think in all there is about 2 bolts and 7 screws holding it on the car
1st Gear
I put the aero grille kit on my car last night and the lower part just popped right out with a little bit of force. The new one then snapped right in. Where'd you get that r53 badge?
Quote:
I bought the R53 badge and the badge holder from MossMini.Originally Posted by weewass
I put the aero grille kit on my car last night and the lower part just popped right out with a little bit of force. The new one then snapped right in. Where'd you get that r53 badge?
1st Gear
cool, thanks. sorry to change the subject. is it metal or just magnetic where you can stick it anywhere (like on the boot)?
Hey,
No worries. I ended up taking my MINI to the indy shop that we take the MINI and our BMWs too to have my grilles, JCW strut bar, Cobalt aluminum skid plate, and front mud guards installed.
Just didn't feel like messing around with it....plus our 70 degree weather turned to 25 and snow/ice.
Going back to the R53 badge...it's magnetic. I have the grille badge holder for my MINI. You can also get a double and/or quadruple badge holder for the front and back license plate brackets.
Later!
No worries. I ended up taking my MINI to the indy shop that we take the MINI and our BMWs too to have my grilles, JCW strut bar, Cobalt aluminum skid plate, and front mud guards installed.
Just didn't feel like messing around with it....plus our 70 degree weather turned to 25 and snow/ice. Going back to the R53 badge...it's magnetic. I have the grille badge holder for my MINI. You can also get a double and/or quadruple badge holder for the front and back license plate brackets.
Later!
