Has anyone had the painted grille replaced with the chrome? I prefer the look (especially on chili red shich is what I have on order) Can it be done at the dealer and where do you order the grille? No chrome option in US that I know of....

 

I talked to my dealer and he said they would, for $200.00. You can buy the parts from one of the vendors on this site for about $70.00. I have heard it's not that hard?

 

I had the dealer do it before taking delivery of my new '04 MCS last month:

 

>>I talked to my dealer and he said they would, for $200.00. You can buy the parts from one of the vendors on this site for about $70.00. I have heard it's not that hard?


The trickiest part of the install is the lower bumper slat. You have to remove the bumper cover to do it right. Other owners have replaced the lower bumper slat without removing the bumper cover but you risk inflicting damage to the part.

Here is the MINI2.com thread that discusses, in depth, the MCS OEM Chrome grille installations, plus instructions. Some nice pics in there too


http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...t=chrome+grill
_________________
'02 Cooper CVT (Absolute Keeper!)
'04 Cooper S Delivered: 10/3/2003 It's finally home!!!!!!!!!!

 

>>Has anyone had the painted grille replaced with the chrome? I prefer the look (especially on chili red shich is what I have on order) Can it be done at the dealer and where do you order the grille? No chrome option in US that I know of....


In Europe, for the MCS, they sell the "Chrome Line" option, which includes the front chrome grille, the lower chrome bumper slat, the chrome exterior mirror caps and the boot hatch chrome handle above the license plate.

For some reason the chrome package is not offered as such in the US, but you can purchase all parts separately from your dealer and either have them install them before taking delivery of your car or after the fact.

I got both the chrome grille kit and the exterior mirror caps from the dealer and had them installed by them. I was thinking about replacing the rear hatch painted handle with the chrome one, but I actually like the painted one better because it doesn't show your finger prints when you open or close the boot hatch.

The chrome grille kit is $96.25 and the chrome mirror caps are $123 for the pair.

 

I replaced the chrome grill, top and bottom last week.

I followed the posted instructions on here or Mini2 and they were mostly correct.

Removing the bumper proved slightly harder since the instructions seemd to miss two bolts. Once I found them it was pretty easy and I am nowhere near a 'car guy'.

You can still reuse the old parts. You would just need to take the old tape off the old lower slat.

If you are up for the small challenge, I would say do it yourself. Just make sure you have the right tools. I did not have any ratchets that fit so everything was done using regular wrenches which added an extra hour or so.

Good luck.

Mike

 

Props to all of you. The chrome usually just looks better. I have seen a few painted that were nice, but usually the Chrome is just the right look. I was thinking of the black myself but decided against it.