How hard is it to remove the outside black trim? I'm talking about the rough black panels(wheel fenders, side skirts, rear black trim and the front one). I'm planning to get them painted but need to remove them to bring to the shop(costs less). Are the clips easily broken?

 

Listen, the actual body trim is a PITA! to remove. I'm talking about the chrome lip that goes all around the car. I have gotten mine painted and he said he it was very hard. As for the other pieces, as long as your careful, they should come off with ease. However, I have the factory aero so I never had to remove the side skirts. Hopefully someone else can help you with that.

 

The chrome lip? Are you talking about the belt line? I believe the side skirts are probably the easiest to remove. I'm more concerned with the wheel fenders and front/rear trim. I've heard of clips breaking real easily.

 

If I were you I would just black out the beltline. Or go over it with some color matched vhnyl. I had to replace a rear fender trim and it wasnt too hard. Ironically the plumber that was at our house that day I was installing the fender used to work for BMW in service, so he basically popped off the clips for me : ) He said there is some sort of tool you can buy to make the removal easier. Not sure... Good luck though!

 

I'm not taking off the belt line. I'm asking about the black plastic pieces at the bottom of the car(wheel fenders, side skirts, rear and front bottoms).

 

Its easy..I removed mine and painted them....they are held in by plastic snaps, before you remove them buy new ones from Mini they are cheap. You will break quite a few of them when you remove the parts. You just start from one corner and pull gently and they will pop out