I'm trying to remove the grille on my '07 MINI to add a grille badge. I was directed to this site for instructions:

http://www.newminiclub.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4265

However because it's not in english I'm not sure how to remove those black pins that hold the top in place. And I want to remove them SAFELY! Not snapping them off by accident or bending them out of whack. MINI perfectionist here, and I care about the little things as well as the big things. I've already tried using the back end of a small hammer (kind of like pulling a nail out of the wall) and those things seem to be on there incredibly tight. What tool should I use to do this?

 

Let's see I just did this to install badges and paint the chrome pieces.
Pop the bonnet, and you will see 4 screws. Use a flat head screw driver to pop the taps out and simply pull.

Now you have lossened the top part. Start at the bottom from one end and pull slowly, you will notice the bottom platics tabs that simply snap in place.

Hope that helps..

 

You can actually install the grill badge holder without taking the grill off. I put a badge holder on mine and it only took about 10 minutes. The only thing you have to be careful about is not dropping the screws into the engine bay. The space is a little tight, but it can be done.

 

like andy said just use a small screwdriver to get the little plastic piece out. also when you have the top losen there are two spring like tabs you have to squeeze together to get the grill out. when i was taking my out i almost broke one cause i didn't know that you needed to squeeze them together.
i tried doing it the way 07chilired suggested but i ended up dropping a screw inside the bumper and when it was all said and done i dropped the screwdriver in the bumper also. luckly i had a magnet on a stick to get it all out, so i decided to take the grill out.

 

O.K. I gently used a flathead screwdriver to pop those plugs. The two on the end came out just fine. However the flathead part of the two in the middle broke off! Now I can't get ahold of whats left to pull out the stub. I wish I never did this.

I have a new question: How can I get ahold of the stub left over when the flat head of the plug broke to get them out now? Help!

 

Well I finally found a way to get those damaged plugs out. I managed to push the remaining stub through to the other side where it fell to the ground. Yay! At that point I saw that I could have pushed those plugs from behind as opposed to pulling the heads to get them out. Lesson learned, now I'll know for the next time. Particularly if I decide to install driving lamps which I may.

Thanks for the advice, guys! Appreciate it.

 

now that you got the broken pieces out you should be able to get some replacements from your MINI dealer.

 

Don't feel so bad, I wish I was more handy with my cars. I broke a tab myself trying to pop out the chrome pieces. Experience my friend.... it has to start somewhere..

Like Soul said, you'll be able to get the parts from your MINI dealer...

P.S. I'll will be doing the driving lights as well....

 

That's what I did...called my MINI dealer and will be picking up replacement plugs tomorrow.

 

Sorry this is late, but file it away for future reference. www.altavista.com
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