Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. I was hoping that him and the others who got the instructions would reply

 

Thank you! This will definitely help when I do the bumpers next! Great tip on the fasteners. I'm going to order them just to be on the safe side.

 

markydude, take a look at our DIY article for front bumper removal as well, although it pertains to -'08 but similarities for sure. More knowledge in any case!
MINI Front Bumper Removal

Good luck!

 

Thank you! More knowledge for sure! There are a lot of other DIY articles for the MINI in there too! You rock!

 

Whilst fitting the new LED DRLs now available here in Yurp, I discovered what others have found - that there are three extra fixings in recent R56 S bumpers. You pull out three blind grommets/plugs from the underside of the spoiler and then through those holes access three Phillips screws in fixing plugs. These are a real nightmare as the heads of the screws are plastic (stops them rusting, I guess) so it's almost impossible not to strip the Phillips 'slot' - and not easy to get access to pull them out when the slot is stripped.

These screws fix the lower bumper onto the bottom of the metal bumper frame and it's just possible that this may not be fitted in the US market. And the other twist is that the Mini parts diagram does not show these fittings, so getting replacements ain't easy - luckily the parts guy in my dealership worked out that the same fitting is used in the rear bumper.

 

Oh, and the recent plastic brake cooling duct pipes caused me all sorts of bother (until I finally got them apart to see what caused it) when I took my bumper off...

re the plastic rivets I usually put a tool underneath the circular plastic part to gently pull them outwards as I carefully unscrew them 'cos they're so 'plasticky' and easy to deform.

And the N18 grill isn't as easy to remove but much easier to break the lower tabs than an N14! I've found the chrome strip can only be removed (with difficulty) when the entire grille's off.

 

Thank you for all the responses! I've managed to find a step-by-step guide to install side skirts at another forum site but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to cross post the link here...

 

Hello, does anyone has a DIY for the side skirts?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-aero-kit.html

Should be there?

 

I have the official instructions, not very useful..

 

There's really not much to the side skirts. Plan on breaking every clip (don't start the project if you don't have the new clips). To remove the old skirt, remove the expanding screws from under the car then peel back the metal sill "Cooper S" sill plates to access the 4 clips underneath it (you will need to purchase new metal sill plates - these are incredibly hard to save) then just pull to old side skirt off, you will feel and hear all the clips underneath breaking.

Then just install the new pieces, paying attention to how the clips are installed on the new piece. The first side will take an hour the second about half that time.

Once you get into the process it becomes straight forward.

 

can anybody who got the info send it to me? I am trying to figure out how to get to the center mount on the rear bumper.

 

Here's a link to my google drive:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9g...it?usp=sharing

The center of the rear bumper is held in by a metal clip about 4-6 inches long and if I recall correctly a firm tug is all that is needed. I don't think it is actually accessible.