For those with the JCW aerokits, can I ask what your total cost for paint and install was? I'm in Berkeley, CA and the local shops are quoting between $800 - $2000 for the entire job.
Some of the previous forum posts suggested somewhere in the $400-$500 but they cite that the kit was purchased via the body shop. (I already have the kit) Do these estimates seem legit? Any insight guidance you can provide would be much appreciated. Also, if you're in the Bay Area, any recommendations on where you got your kit painted and installed would be very welcomed.
Thanks in advance!
Berkdad

 

Since I'm in the market right now for the same thing, I'm curious who you talked to?

I've asked for an estimate from Bay Bridge Mini, and although I don't have it yet, I think the labor will be in the bracket you described (maybe towards the lower end).

Maybe there is some (possibly marginal) benefit to getting it installed by a Mini specialist?

Edited to add: The install should be pretty easy really (based on removing the front bumper for intercooler install. If you wanted to save money you could certainly do it yourself. I don't have the free time now to do it (and risk having the car out of commission for a few days).

 

Spoke with Gilman Collision, 101 Auto Body, Contintenal, Wright...All within a short distance from where I live. The common denominator in all their estimates is that "paint" is the most expensive part (on avg. 80% of the cost).

 

Understood. My estimate was about $1400, including installation of new LED fogs and a few miscellaneous items.

 

I can paint my own but just can not get any kind of help removing all the black, wheel arches panels front and rear and the rocket panels. Went to the dealer and all I got was, the guys start by taking the front bumper off bring it to us and it will take about 4 hours[at only 95.00 an hour] WTF. I am so sick of my MINI dealer I will never buy another.

 

I have done just the rear bumper on my R56. $500 to paint, so I'm going to stretch and say a grand for painting the whole kit. I replaced the rear bumper (old off, new on) in about an hour. Front would be about the same and the rockers I'm guessing about 2 hours each as they appear to be more involved. I hope to do the rest of it soon at least the rockers.

 

I sure I will catch it for recommending it, but I just took my Clubman to MAACO and had them paint the taillight surrounds and top of the back bumper ( this came all black from the factory ) the same color of the body for 200.00 They did a good job and matched the paint even though my car was 2 years old.

 

I did the install by myself, it was easy, took me half day probably. The hardest part was installing the front bumper, the screws that are under the lip. I'll recommend buy spare screws, the ones that go in the wheel arches, I broke two of them

Also borrow from a friend some ramps, it's easy to install the screws under the side panels and bumpers if the car is elevated.

 

I'm sorry? But you can spray paint, but can't figure out how to remove plastic parts, and somehow this is MINI's fault?

 

I did the rear bumper, and side skirts for $600 (paint only). The guy wanted $1000 for paint and install. I asked that same question myself and the prices are all over the place. As long as YOU'RE happy with the price and with the results don't sweat it.

The install was rather easy, plan on 3-4 hours for the whole kit for someone who has never done it before. I could now easily do it in about 2 hours. If you don't know that they are there then the trickiest part is that there are some hidden fasteners on the wheel trim arches - front and back.

You will break most of the fasteners when removing the side skirts - buy all new fasteners for the sides. Also plan on replacing the metal "Cooper" strip on the door rocker panels - these are $50 each. The rear bumper is only ~9 fasteners and you should be able to reuse all of them. You should be able to reuse most of the fasteners on the front (judging from when I installed the FMIC)

 

hmm....I don't remember exactly how much mine cost, but it was like $1200 or so just for paint since I had the plastic bits primed and painted for full body color. I did the install myself. I just know I spent something like $3200 for the kit and paint.

 

Thanks all for the comments and recommendations. The kit has been painted and installed but I'm in Japan on business (returning next week). I'm dying to see the completed project (also added an intake, fmic and exhaust).

 

That is a wide range of pricing $800-$2000. 800 to paint an install is a steal. Go with that or anything close and you did good. My guy charged $1500 to paint, my kit and the wheel arches, an install..

 

I was a bit concerned at the $800 estimate but they (Continental Auto Body in Albany, CA) did a great job! I highly recommend them to anyone in the Bay Area. Below are some pics of my car after the install.

 

Nice looking MINI Berkdad!

 

Thanks Mike!!

 

That looks outstanding! They did a great job with the paint color match and install alright. And what a great deal for $800. I once contacted MINI of Stevens Creek for an estimate on my MCS and they quoted $5k for everything...crazy, eh?

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

$5K?!! Yikes. Think of all the mods that will actually improve the ride!!

 

Dealer labor rates are thru the roof of course but dang!!! $5000

 

Looks great Berkdad!

You didn't have any problem with the license plate holder? I also used to have mine attached to the tow hook but now the hole of the bumper doesn't align with the hole on the impact bar :(

 

AndresR - Your tow hook hole should line up. I might suggest that you have an installation alignment issue or a bumper not for your year range. Pictures?

 

The bumper is perfectly aligned.

I don't have the car with me right now, it's at the repair shop, have a problem with a rough idle. But I'll take a picture when I get the car back. The hole on the impact bar is two inches over the hole in the bumper. Here a crappy 1 minute picture of my problem lol: http://s12.postimg.org/gvtcc1n3x/delete.png

And the only two pictures I could find right now of the car:
Front: http://s2.postimg.org/5qec1j2l5/1422...10512680_n.jpg
Rear: http://s2.postimg.org/5g6ti6nyx/1395...80518742_n.jpg


I bought the MINI JCW Style Aerodynamic Package II , and my car is a fJCW 2011. I don't knwo why I have this problem :(

 

Here is the part number I came up with for the kit that should cover your year, after the split. 51192154650

 

And I bought the part #51192154643. Maybe that's the problem.

 

Andres,
Sorry to hear that you're having issues. The part number you state is the one I ordered for my car (2010). I was looking into getting the newer version but recall reading some posts that it wouldn't fit my model year. Hope you find a solution that works for you.