You're welcome.
Cool mod with the GP bumper inserts...I have the GP rear bumper black trim to go on soon.
You could use the inserts without the grilles and just have it open. The GP uses the same grilles, but i'm not sure how the insert is held in. Could explain why the bumper cover is a different part number than a regular S.

 

I think it looks great .

Longboard

 

That's pretty much what I had in mind...pull the black grills and just fit the (now white) GP inserts into my blue bumper cover. I haven't removed the bumper cover yet, but should have time in a couple weeks. I anticipate having to get creative as I attempt to find drilling locations for fasteners. (Think small disk magnets and iron filings.) I've already planned on the cabrio bumper cover not having the GP insert attachment points, so thanks for the confirmation of the different part numbers.

I think your mod looks great, as does Longboard's. If I ever decide the old one-ball has to go, I'll make sure to get a nice shiny set up like his before I cut the holes.

Update: D'oh! Looking back at the second set of pics, only now did I realize the bumper cover is open to the "inside." It's the black plastic grills you modded, not the bumper cover. Sometimes, the brain is just not fully engaged.

 

You're welcome.
Maybe you could utilize the existing tabs on the bumper cover(meant for holding the grilles) for the inserts. You could also contact Samtrak on here or MU, I think he's doing/did the same thing.
Thanks...it just started as an experiment, but came out pretty good. Longboard's grilles look pretty cool, i'd like to see a full on rear shot.
I hear ya!

 

Partsman,
What part(s) were you referring to with this comment:

 

These pieces here...



...see how it flares out a little?

That little detail is good enough for me.

 

So how do you get one of those without going through the "GP god"?

 

Easy as he works for a BMW dealer .

LB

 

That is true, but I just ordered those pieces like any other part we don't stock.

 

I see...very nice! I must have seen the rear end of a GP a hundred times and never noticed that subtle difference in the lip, as I was always focusing on those inserts.

I'm looking forward to a few pics from you when you're done.

 

That's funny because it's one of the first things I noticed on the GP.
Pics will be coming soon, i've been on this exterior mod kick lately...I have to finish the other rear grille, I already removed the black faded stripes, got an Aero front and sides to put on, all new plastic trim to go with the GP rear trim, and hopefully get my hood vents molded in.

 

Very Nice! I gotta add it to my to-do list. Props

 

Thanks! It has been on my list for a while, I just now got around to actually doing it.

 

I have to add to what you are doing Partsman. I have the black trim myself and have yet to put it on. Hope this doesn't become a common thing and ruin the uniqueness of it.

Anyway, the reason I was doing it is I love the aero kit (and have all of it I like installed) but hate the look of the rear bumper (to each his own). When I first saw a GP I too noticed this but as a quick detail that was there but didn't really stand out. When I saw a GP in person and got to really check it out I realized that I really like the look and feel it is the way the rear of the aero kit should have been done.

I have considered the inserts but have had concern on how they would look. If you do it please post some pics to see. If I did them I would have them flat black like the grills to achieve a low key upgrade.

 

Partsman,

Looks great but PLEASE stay within the NAM posting guidelines. You know that a HP gain claim is necessary .

PS - A true Mod'er would cut out each little section BY HAND one at a time.

I step away from the Board for a little while and its just going to Hell.

 

I hear ya... ...other than the GP's(of course) I think there are only a handful of people in the US with it, including us. I have received a lot of PMs about it, though.
I'm not too crazy about the Aero rear bumper myself, that's why i'm just doing the front and sides with the GP rear trim. I agree that the Aero kit should have been done that way, instead of what it is.
Are you referring to the inserts for the Aero rear bumper? I don't plan on using that, but you could modify yours using the stock front bumper lower grille, and cut it using the rear Aero inserts as a template.
Glad to see you back on...long time, no talk. I don't think I have a number for you anymore...i'll shoot you a PM.

I tried to Dremel one a long time ago...then said, "F this"...there has to be an easier way!

If I posted the HP claims...no one would believe it!

 

I was actually referring to the inserts for the GP bumper. Not trying to copy but have thought about adding those myself too. I also have looked at the GP vs. Cooper S part number and the only thing I can see that would make the standard bumper a different part number (if using the same grills) would be the inserts.

I may get a price to order a set and see how they mount, look without paint, and try painting them a flat black and seeing how they look. If I like it I may go for it. My only fear would be the back of my MINI would really look like a GP in a different color. The grills being flat black wouldn't make them stand out and should not make it that easy to spot. Decisions, decisions........

Actually the parts were not that bad to get to be honest. I was surprised compared to what I had read. How it was explained to me is i was not ordering a highly sought after GP part and that it wouldn't raise any flags, which it didn't. The only other part that I want from a GP is the intercooler since I feel the stock one does a good job and the GP one would help to combat the heat soak I can feel during the summer. That may end up being a more difficult part to get a hold of.

Now about hijacking the thread..... to the original topic. I have a friend that would in a very specialized precision machine shop (think high tech and super clean looking factory) that may be able to get me a set cut out. That would be actually cutting out each individual grill. They take the original parts and scan them to get all of the details and then clean it up on the computer. They also could mark the locations of all of the tabs and bracing that the grill on the front falls over to not cut those out. It would be several months of work on the side to get ready to cut. He owns the company and owes me a very big favor that this would help repay... I may give him a call. AS has been stated I am surprised that MINI didn't have these cut out already with a blanking piece behind them. that would have even been better looking than molded.

Alright, enough typing of these books.....

 

The Cooper S and GP rear bumper covers are different part numbers...and i'm guessing the difference is for the inserts. The grilles are same part number for each.

51 12 1 177 902 is for the Cooper S...$286.28 list
51 12 7 192 764 is for the GP...$380.35 list

I'm not doing the GP inserts as they look to much like a "add-on".
With the inserts and the trim, it would definitely look like a GP rear, but customized...so it wouldn't be that bad, probably pretty cool.
The GP intercooler could be quite difficult to obtain here in the states, but it doesn't hurt to try. Good luck.
I was also surprised when I ordered the trim and it was sent with no issues at all.
That process sounds very involved, but I bet would look awesome when done. I am going to try to mill the other one at my friend's shop this weekend on a good old fashioned Bridgeport miller. We'll see what happens.
Yea...I guess I should do some work.

 

My drivers' side grille met the Bridgeport miller at my friend's shop today, and it was like TEN times easier to do than the belt sander.
I screwed the grille down in nine different places(around the edge or the "flange" of the grille) to a piece of aluminum so I could clamp it in the machine. After about 5 or so passes(it was a small bit) it was done. It still required (very little) clean up afterward with an X-acto, which I don't think can be avoided.

Anyway, now I have a matched set...

 

Nice job. Very clean - looks 'factory.' Thanks to this thread and your pictures, I have a much better idea of lies ahead for me in a couple weeks.
BTW, what did you use to black out your muffler and tips?

 

Thanks, i'm happy with how it looks now.

For the tips and muffler, I just used high-heat black. I plan to make some slash cut tips soon, then I will have them powder coated.

 

Great Job, and you should be happy. It looks awesome.

 

Thanks man!
Now I can do the real ones.

 

Partsman: since i don't have a Bridgeport, would a router work? How much material do you have to remove to open the grille--1/16", 1/8"?
thanks,

 

i like i like. so how thick is the ending piece?