I tried installing a JCW version one front bumper, but I ran into some issues. As shown in the photos, I noticed significant panel gaps, particularly near the headlights and at the bottom of the car. The Cooper S bumper fasteners don’t align with the JCW, creating alignment problems. Should I cut off the fasteners to prevent the bumper from flexing, or is there another workaround? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Here are some images to show the issues:







I believe these tab wholes where the cooper s front bumper would fading on is causing the flex. Should I cut them off. See below.

 

Did you even get your issue resolved? Just curious...

 

Just installed my JCW Aero kit this weekend and didn't have any line up issues with my front bumper. Wonder if the Aero Kit 1 are really that different than the Aero Kit III. Mine was the Aero Kit III from ECS Tuning.

 

Nope they are not that different on the mounts part. My guess is the hood buffers need adjusted or the mounts on the bumper do.

 

I know when I did mine, there was plenty of adjustment to get the gaps correct. Only issue I had was getting the hood aligned properly. They are difficult due to the different directions that they can be adjusted.