Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Aero Kit Parts/Installation Question

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Old 08-20-2003, 06:41 AM
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I just called my local MINI parts dept. and got a price on the black aero kit grille. My question is - is it only one part - the bonnet grille that needs to be ordered? The parts person was saying that there is a bumber grille there also.

What I am thinking is the grille is 2 pieces, the part on the hood, and the part in the top of the bumber. They would just sell this as a single part since you would not really need to replace only 1/2 of it. The parts guy seemed confident that we had the right thing ordered, but I want to make sure from someone who has been there before before I get only 1/2 a grille in.

Also, its not too dificult to switch the grilles is it? If i can do the swaybar can i do the grille?

Any insight to this would be a world of help.

Thanks all!
CRT.

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Old 08-20-2003, 10:35 AM
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as far as I know the it is two pieces according to handout for kit( I have been thinking of doing this also and I lost the handout so no prices or part #) the hood grill replaces with no problem. The bumper takes some mods ( what they are I dont know I went to look for site again and couldn't find it. I also want to know what mods would be done with rally lights. I know this doesn't help that much but maybe get you in right direction
 
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Old 08-20-2003, 10:42 AM
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Check this out. PERFECT documentation with pictures and part numbers. This site is pretty good!!

Aerogrille Part Numbers and Installation

GRENDEL___This site also has installation instructions and mods for the lights!!

Cabbage

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Old 08-20-2003, 10:51 AM
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? - cabbagetoe - ? Thanks for the link!!!! This is perfect!
 
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Old 08-20-2003, 10:54 AM
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It's a name I can always use anywhere I go that no one else uses. I can get an account with any online service and use cabbagetoe and it always works without having to think of a screen name. :smile: I have been known as cabbagetoe since the internet was born.

Cabbagetoe
 
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Old 08-20-2003, 11:05 AM
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"Thechandler81"

Check out this website and you will have all your info.....

http://www.r53w11.com/aerogrilles.htm


 
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Old 08-20-2003, 11:27 AM
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Thanks cabbagetoe that was the site I was looking for.
 
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Old 08-20-2003, 11:34 AM
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Definitely the aero grille is two parts. The instructions are a bit lacking depending if you are adding the grille to the front bumper of an MC or MCS. Be it known that the two grille pieces are made for the front of the MINI using a AERO front bumper- then it all fits perfect. If you are using an aero front bumper then great.

If you are using an MC or MCS then the front bumper will need some modification and the front bumper grille will also need some cutting because none of the slots and wholes will match up. You need to be patient and slowly cut where you think you can on both parts. Meanwhile this is best done if you fully remove the front bumper from the car.

The aero grille for the bonnet is easy to do yourself. Only tough part is figuring out how to pry off the pressure nuts that hold the grille into place. I gently pried them loose then got a pliers to rotate each one off and saved the washers. then I reused the nuts but the tightness wasn't that good for every nut. You can buy replacement nuts from the dealer and that would be good if you have any problems.

All told, my body shop took about 3 to 4 hours with power tools to modify and install the front grille on my MCS bumper even with the r53 site instructions I provided. Just give yourself plenty of time to do it. Good luck.
 
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Old 08-20-2003, 12:11 PM
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I feel your pain. I just ordered my grill last week. In fact, I just received it yesterday from Classic BMW Parts. They had the best price.
i had the same questions as you.

How many pieces?
Where do I buy it?
Who has the best price?
Is the install hard?

Well, there are 3 parts to the Aero grill. However, you only need the top 2 parts
for the hood. Here are the prices.

Aero kit grills:
hood $41.00
upper bumper $29.80
lower bumper $35.40 <This goes down below the bumper in the front. You don't need it unless you want it.



 
  #10  
Old 08-21-2003, 12:37 AM
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Here's a picture to help you visualize the three grilles

 
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