I have a question about the Aero Kit, is it worth it? I have not seen alot of pictures of the AERO KIT. Whats the diffrents between this and stock and this, or should I go with a diffrent Body kit all together like the http://cc-b.com/Merchant2/merchant.m...egory_Code=NMC or something else? Still have not order my MCS yet, but soon will.......and I can't wait....

Thanks

 

My understanding is that the $1200 Aero Kit is about $2500 installed. For that you get a very plain package--poorly integrated side skirts, unimpressive air dam, a rear spoiler that says "innovation not allowed", and an anycar grille that looks like it was taken from a late '70s Toyota. But if that's what you like, indulge.

I'd investigate more innovative aftermarket kits.

 

I think the aero kit is pretty impressive. I didn't want to spend the money on something that looks similar to what I had, so I chose the part I liked best--the aero spoiler. The aero spoiler is very nice and has innovation. It fits on the car and looks like it goes. It's integrated and nice quality too. I don't know what the previous comment meant by "innovation not allowed" in regards to the spoiler. I also like the black honey comb grille. It doesn't look 70's IMO--looks modern. The only thing I didn't like (which isn't a big deal) was that the chrome door sills go away with the addition of the side skirts. I thought the sill that says "MINI cooper" looked classy and I didn't want to part with that.

 

>>I think the aero kit is pretty impressive. I didn't want to spend the money on something that looks similar to what I had, so I chose the part I liked best--the aero spoiler. The aero spoiler is very nice and has innovation. It fits on the car and looks like it goes. It's integrated and nice quality too. I don't know what the previous comment meant by "innovation not allowed" in regards to the spoiler. I also like the black honey comb grille. It doesn't look 70's IMO--looks modern. The only thing I didn't like (which isn't a big deal) was that the chrome door sills go away with the addition of the side skirts. I thought the sill that says "MINI cooper" looked classy and I didn't want to part with that.

I put the aero grill on my stock PS/B MC bumper. I love the more business-like smile it gives the car much better than the chrome grill. I have since had the lower radiator cover powder coated black, which integrates the look even more. I'll try to get pics of that in the next while. Here are a couple of pics before the powder coating:

 

Moby,
the link you provided was pretty cool. It is more aggressive and modern than the Aero kit. Looks less expensive too. My only concern was the front spoiler with the oversided WRX looking fog light receptacle...I actually liked the rear bumper. Someone better have the perf mods to back up that spoiler package!

 

>>I have a question about the Aero Kit, is it worth it? I have not seen alot of pictures of the AERO KIT. Whats the diffrents between this and stock and this, or should I go with a diffrent Body kit all together like the http://cc-b.com/Merchant2/merchant.m...egory_Code=NMC or something else? Still have not order my MCS yet, but soon will.......and I can't wait....

The MINI aero kit has many parts that can be ordered from the dealership to be installed at the time of purchase or after. Prices vary depending on what is done- how much is painted and what is installed. Some owners will do the full kit- rough cost is anywhere from about $2500-$3500 depending on whether the wheel wells are also painted.
Some owners just buy a portion of the kit like the side skirts only and then paint the wheel wells. They might add the black grilles for the bonnet and upper front bumper which will fit on the MC and MCS with some modification (need to cut some slots and do some rework since these grille are made for the aero front bumper not the stock bumpers).

Overall the MINI aerokit is similar to the bumpers found on the MCS but a little more pronouced or aggressive. When the kit is installed on a MC it makes it look racy. If you look at the MINIs in the new movie the Italian Job-they all have aero kits and only the red MINI is an MCS.

Some pictures:
The team MCO EBW MCS with full aerokit and painted wheel wells


Yellow/Blk MCS with chrome front grilles and painted side aero skirts


Silver MCS with painted wheel wells and trim front and back


Non MINI aero kit- more aggressive

 

THANKS GUYZ, wow pictures too, you rock.....

 

>>Moby,
>>the link you provided was pretty cool. It is more aggressive and modern than the Aero kit. Looks less expensive too. My only concern was the front spoiler with the oversided WRX looking fog light receptacle...I actually liked the rear bumper. Someone better have the perf mods to back up that spoiler package!

Yes. Those fog light receptacles are too angular for the car, clashing with the roundness of the rest of the nose. But at least the overall design of the kit shows some imagination. I'd say that it has great potential. It's at least a step in the right direction and looks less ill-fitting and bargain-basement than the dealer-installed Aero Kit. It still appears to have the same grille mesh as an '81 Tercel, though.

I think grilles are very much afterthoughts on these kits. If you want to save the cost of the grille parts but get the same effect, you can buy chicken wire for just a few bucks a roll from an agricultural store, paint it black, and bind it to an appropriately shaped wire frame. Hope that helps.

 

I have the factory aero kit on my car and the only deficiency I found was the lack of polished door sill plates. This problem was solved by removing the sill plates from the old side panels and applying them with double sided tape. Looks great now.

 

Is the Aero Kit only offered by the dealer or does aftermarket shops offer it as well? If anything I like the black grills over the chrome.

 

The MINI aerokit parts and full set are offered by both the MINI dealers in the parts dept and by aftermarket suppliers. About $1200 for the full kit then add installation and painting.
http://www.promini.com/products/aerokit.shtml

 

anyone know how much and where can the front aero kit bumper be bought?

 

Ryan... $288 unpainted... through me - at the dealership

 

doug, can you check if the lower black grill comes wtih it? the part right under the bonet grill

thanks

 

>>anyone know how much and where can the front aero kit bumper be bought?
Front Apron (bumper for MC or MCS) Primed $360.00 retail
part 51 11 0 145 744
The lower bumper grille is separate $44.25 retail
part 51 11 0 139 106

_________________
ALOHA

 

>>>>anyone know how much and where can the front aero kit bumper be bought?
>>Front Apron (bumper for MC or MCS) Primed $360.00
>>part 51 11 0 145 744
>>

YEA! I beat that price!

I'll check that tomorrow Ryan!

 

If you are a BMW Car Club of America member then check with your BMW parts dept for eligible 10 to 15% off the retail prices. Membership is about $33 per year.