Trying to get the surrounding chrome trim off of the bonnet so I can take off the original grill. I can't seem to release the two clips closest to the center of the trim (closest to MINI badge). The angle of the bonnet makes it hard to see how the clips are to be released. Can anyone explain how this is done? I'm trying to be careful soI don't want to break anything.

Once that's off, the grill clips look easier to do! I'll be coming back to this thread if I have more trouble!

Thanks!



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Sorry I don't understand the question.

Are you trying to remove the entire grill assembly from the hood, or separate the chrome surround from the rest of the grill?

If you are trying to remove the grill from the car, there are about 5 flange nuts that hold the plastic molded studs of the grill. Open the hood and they should be very obvious. They can be a bear to get off, but if you use a screwdriver to apply some pressure while turn the nut they will come off. Don't know if you got new ones with the chrome grill, so be careful to hang on to the old. Try not to over tighten them when installing, they can "strip" the stud base.

If you're trying to remover the chrome surround, sorry I've never attempted.

 

There is an excellent DIY concenring installation of black areo grilles at:
motoringfile.com
This should help you better understand how the OEM grilles are attached.

 

Go here...excellent DIY fitting guides for your new MCS chrome grille:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...367&page=1

Enjoy!

 

Thanks for all the help and links! What a great forum and community!

 

Just replace the top grill, took pics and made a quick pdf file (2 megs) of how I did it. Didn't have to remove the entire grill assembly, just unclip the ends of the curved surrounding trim so that the ends of the slats are exposed.
Here's the pdf file of anyone is interested!

http://www.symf.org/forms/mcsuppergrill.pdf

Now to tackle the bottom grill!