UPDATE:

So I finally got my grille from racer_guys.

Shipping Time : 10/10
Product Description : 6/10 - Product was described as no modification needed / 100% fitment
Product Itself : 8/10
Fitment : 8/10
Install Time : 1/10
Difficulty : 1/10

Overall, I have to say that it's not a bad product. My first impression of the honeycomb high gloss black grilles were great. Removal of the stock grilles was relatively easy to begin with, then came the little issues. There were no installation instructions (not that you really need them) or hardware for the install.

Lower Grille:
There is more clips on the lower grille than there are in the stock, as well as some of them being in different postions than the stock clips. I ended up having to take a router bit and using it in my drill so that I could add new slots and expand some of the stock slots. The new grille is a tad thicker on the ends as well. No real big deal, there is enough plastic to be able to sand it down to make it flush. I left it because I thought it added kind a different dimension to the bumper itself. Once I got all the slots and the tabs lined up, I just hit it over the clips and that thing is not coming out!

Upper Grille:
All of the tabs match up to the same place that the stock tabs do. The only problem is, there is no hardware to keep it held in place. The fitment was fine, almost perfect in fact, except that you can't mount it. After about 20 minutes of trying to figure out a million different solutions, I decided I would go with some Gorilla Glue. I ran a very thin line around the left edge, over the top portion and to the right edge. There isn't a place to put down the glue on the bottom, so no need to worry about that. Then I went and put the glue a little thick on the posts so that the glue would expand and fill the holes that the posts fit through. I left the hood up, put a wash cloth on each side of the grille (on top) and clamped it down. Two hours later and the top grille wasn't coming off either.

I've had it on for 3 days now at speeds up to 60mph and normal driving with no issues. Overall, if you don't mind having it permanently on the car, then it's a pretty decent grille. If you ever want to take this thing off, don't buy it, lol. I'll post pics when I get home. I just wanted to get this review up.

 

Thanks for doing this and the thorough review.

Any pics?

- drew

 

So you couldnt re use the factory nuts from the oem grill to secure it, or does it mount differently? (talking about the top grill)

 

I'll get some pics up probably tomorrow. Tons of freaking sand fleas (I'm in SC) right now and I'm not going to get eaten alive for some pics, lol.

Also, no you could not re-use the factory nuts on the posts. The factory ones, you can screw a nut onto. The new one's posts are like cross shaped like a + sign. So there was no screwing the nut on.

 

Boy, that's aftermarket at it's best....lower part not a direct fit and no hardware included to secure top.

Sounds like your happy with the end result though and thats what counts.

 

I got one from ebay as well. My result seems very different from MTX. The upper grille fit perfectly and I did reuse the factory nuts. They do screw on just fine to the T shaped posts. The middle grille also fit normally. You are required to cut out a piece of the middle grille in order to fit the new one on. It is the exact same process as putting on the M7 Aero Grille.

My only concern now is the new grille is shiny and new and the bottom grille is dull black so i might be painting the old bottom piece to match soon.

One more thing, I had to destroy both the upper and middle grille to get them off so if you do this mod you can not simply put the old ones back on if you don't like the looks.

Overall I am very happy with the outcome.

 

Interesting that these aren't more popular then....a lot of people get the OEM aero grills and massage them to fit, but if there's a easy pop in replacement for the middle grill it would sell like hotcakes.

- andrew

 

the middle grille really doesn't come off, you have to cut out a chunk of it.

See here for pictures.

http://www.grillcraft.com/installs/i...install_id=166

 

Thanks for the review MTX - I may jump on this at some point. But a pulley is next on the list - woohoo!

 

See the difference in your aero grille vs. the one I got is A - It only comes with the top and middle grille. There is no lower grille. B - You only have to expand the slots for the middle grille, you don't have to cut anything out, so there is no major modification to the bumper (hell you don't even need to remove the bumper at all) Lastly, C - Mine only cost $75, so no harm no foul if you screw something up. The aero grille is obviously more custom, it is better made, but requires more modification and is a lot more expensive. The one I got is plain jane, requires little modification and like 1/2 to 1/3 of the price. Take you choice ya know?!

 

Could you post a picture of your final result mtx? Only been waiting for EVER ....

 

wow, I'm an ***, lol. I completely forgot I said that I would get a pic up. I'll get one up tonight, I swear.

 

so much for that :P jk. the bugs were bad tonight in the upstate so i dont blame ya.

 

MTX,

When you are able to post a picture, could you explain what is needed to do the middle grill piece with out removing the bumper? That would help alot! If I like the way yours looks, I'll definitely grab one!

Thank you!!!11

 

Ok, here are the pics you vultures, lol.

AutoMCS, I have an 04' so it may be different from yours, however, all I did was heat up the grille on the bumper and remove the top chrome piece. It was on there by that thick emblem adhesive you find from factory emblems on the car. After I removed that, I simply took a small panel tool (you could use a flathead if you're careful) and pushed it under the remaining piece. I would pry a little bit at a time while sliding my finger underneath it. Once I got about half way, it started just popping right out. It's held in by those small "L" shaped type clips. You can read the rest up top for how I installed the new one. I hope this helps. If you need more detail, I can draw something up.

 

Thanks for your pic MTXMini !!

 

i acutally bought that exact same one .... the front part goes on easy np.. but the 2nd 1/2 OMFG... my frens @ the shop had problems with it.. it didnt line up and everything.. they ended up gluing it on( dont worry he said it will NEVER come off ) the top goes on np but the bottom well thats all up 2 u

 

Looks great! When I finally get the $$ together for a new grille (too many projects, not enough $$$ ), the chrome one will look good on my BRG....

C ya,
Dutch

 

Same type of Grill is sold on Moss Motors. Alittle more $

Not sure if theirs is plastic but they state it fits the stock bumper !

They also have all the install instructions as the lower part is alot of work to install if you don't have this guide..............

 

I like it! I was planning on painting black behind the grills but I kind of like it with the pwhite behind it! Hmmmm

Also, thanks for taking the time to come back and post the pictures!!!

 

^ This. Do it.

But really, it looks good, just not quite finished yet since the PW is showing through. It'll really clean it up a lot if you paint it. Plastidip (as much as I HATE the over-use of it) is effective too.

 

Thanks for all the replies regarding the pics and the install. Ok, let me address a few of these comments, lol.
I mentioned that I had to glue my top grille as well. I used gorilla glue and it turned out really nice. Problem is that it won't come off without destroying the paint underneath.
I really didn't have any issues with the lower grille. All I did was pry off the lower grille, and I used a drill with a small router bit to add slots for the brackets. There are more brackets on the aftermarket than there is on the stock. I also had to expand the 2 lower corner slots as those clips were slightly off. It was really no big deal and took me about 15 minutes.
I thought about this after I had already put the grille on. Like I said, I used gorilla glue and didn't want to go back under it. I kind of like the PW behind it though. I have had mixed thoughts about it, but most people like the PW behind it.

 

Here's another one - I wasn't wild about the gloss finish on the first one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mini-...item20b0ad3ee9

This one says it needs the bumper to be modified!

 

heres a pick for the aero install
http://picasaweb.google.com/OutMotoring.com

 

mtx mini,
your pictures no longer show up, would you mind sending them to me via pm, email or re-posting them in this thread please?
just installed an aero bumper and im debating which rout i should take.
I have an astro black 03 mcs, so i was wondering if i should go stock aero, or these.