This is what the bumper is ment to do.
I didn't like the FAKE grill / vents

cost $12.99 (extruded alum screen door lower at local hwd store) and I have enough material to do at least 3 more.

 

Nice! I'm running w/ no plate right now, so it shows the heat shield of the exhaust hehe. Seems like yours is removed?

 

Looks good! How did you secure it? Do the fake vents just pop out? I am three states away from my MINI or I would go take a look. I have thought of doing something like that but don't want to do anything that is irrevesable. That and I have to be able to do it quick so the wife dosent see me going after the brand new MINI with a hacksaw. Would be just the excuse she is looking for to take the MINI from me.

 

The plates just pop out. It's secured on by tabs.

 

Yes .. the plates do just pop out (actually INWARD)
The heat shield does need to be cut abot 2 " in length, tin snips worked great for me, then bend up.

The extruded alum can be cut with snips or even side cutters (wire cutters)
to the outer size of the blanks (a bit larger won't hurt) Then line up the tabs and 1 by 1 cut the mesh so that it will fit on the tabs. here I used a dremel to not run the shape of the mesh and to actually "seperate" the 2 sections
I'll post a photo to help.
Then push onto the tabs and carefully ever so slightly bend the mesh to repair its shape and lock onto the tabs.

 

material used

 

I'm just curious here, I haven't looked at my MINI all that much yet other than suspension mods, but about having this open there, what does it do?

 

Very close up of cut for mesh to fit on tabs.

Hold in place, cut for 1 tab (do not push on yet) - hold in place cut for next tab (do not push on yet) do this for all 6 tabs then push on and use a small screwdriver to then bend back in place (reshape mesh) and lock onto tab.

 

I would suggest cuting the tabs off the bumper and hot gluing these grilles onto the bumper.

thats how its usually done with bodykits and it gives it a cleaner look.

its also how I did it for my front grille.

 

Well ... I have to think that it actually lets the air passing under the car have a place to exit.
This has NOT been "wind tunnel" tested or any infra red photos taken.
It just makes sence to me.
ALSO several of the race cars in Vegas had the dummy plates removed ... so ... it must do either what I think or ???.

OK ... IT LOOKS COOL AS WELL

 

You can not see the tabs and the mesh isn't going anywhere. If this is done properly.
I hate just cutting off tabs, I'll figure out how to do things properly. AND "hot glue" is not a method of attachment that I like to use on a vehicle. If the tabs are left you can always go back to stock.
Also this can be done WITHOUT removing the bumper. If you use a glue gun the bumper would have to be removed and, I'll bet you could see globs of glue. Also have you ever seen hot glue last for a long time ???

 

I like this cheap and easy mod. If anyone isn't as crafty a company called Grill Guy makes kits for such a mod.
http://www.marketworks.com/StoreFron...=56674&c=58664

 

If done PROPERLY you will not see glue and it will last as long as the car is on the road.

A freind of mine's Jetta had a bodykit installed when it was new, back in about '98 and all of the mesh grilles were glues in, the same way I did it on my car. With over 150k, they still look good as new.

 

Well if you want ME to get picky, i can see the tabs.

 

I have the Borla Race and do get some drone.
If I crack the sunroof it goes away.

Today (as it is raining) I went to close the sunroof. It was closed and ...
NO DRONE ...
Yes you can hear the exhaust but no drone.
The only thing that I have done (lately) is this mod.

I have trimmed the heat shield and the vents are "working"

The only thing I can figure is that the "noise" now has somewhere to go.
The drum that exists under the boot (exhaust area) is now open.

I wasn't expecting this and if someone else removes / or has removed the blanks (I think the heat shield is a BIG part of this as well), it would be interesting for your thoughts.

 

couple of ?? have you had this done long enough to tell if the dust and muck on the boot is any less?and what did you use to cut the bumper out?
thanks for your time......good looking mod by the way!!!!!

 

I haven't had it long enough to tell if it helps with the **** getting dirty, the weather is not helping either. (and you not the first to ask) I'll keep you posted. Boy ... wouldn't that be a plus.

You don't have to cut ANYTHING on the bumper.
I did cut about 2" off of the heat shield and bend it up for the "full effect".
The look-a-like fony grills are push on seperate parts.

 

Sorry for the bad photos.

Biblical rain ...