I would love to replace my silver/anthracite oval door insert with a red one to match the color of my Chili Red MC. That option was only available from the factory on the MCS.

Anyone know where I can find one and how hard it would be for a novice to replace ? I've googled every possible term for that part I could think of and did a search of this site (apologies if I missed a previous thread on this subject).

Certainly someone with a MCS will have to replace theirs, so there must be some of these out there. Right ?!?!

Thanks in advance for any help !

 

As far as I know, the best approach would be to have your current panels painted. The ovals are not removeable in the conventional sense, they are attached to the doors with melted plastic tabs. So, while you could conceivably remove them, I'm not sure it would be worth the effort. There are NAMers that have had their ovals painted, so I'm sure some of them will chime in soon.

 

Thanks for that info. I didn't realize they were semi-permanently attached. You're right...trying to replace them sounds like a tough job. Probably expensive, too.

 

I am going to repaint mine, and from what I understand it is a bit daunting, but I dont think its really difficult just more time consuming. Here is a link I found on how to do it. http://www.thumbsupracing.com/MINI/DoorBar/index.html

 

Wow, pinkmini, that link was excellent ! Couldn't have hoped for more detailed info than that. On the down side, I can easily see that the process is more complicated than I expected.

Maybe some day someone will manufacture and sell replacement oval surrounds and door handles in body colors.

 

I can confirm the "not removeable" bit. In fact, I inquired about buying just those pieces and was told they aren't sold separately - I'd have to buy the complete door panel. Retail on the door panels is $475.00 EACH!!!!

 

Hey Chili Red, I didn't intend to discourage you from getting the doors done, I think you should be able to find a local shop that will paint match your car, and be willing to paint the rings. The panels themselves are no big deal to remove, and you can literally drive around for a few days without the panels (I did when I had my panel inserts made and installed - see my gallery).

I suggest getting a couple of quotes on taping off and painting the rings if you bring them the door panels, and hopefully it will be within your budget.

 

I had the armrest pieces painted. I just took the whole door panel to the body shop. The hardest part was taping everything, you have to roll the tape into all the the crevices.

 

Thanks, Lincoln, et al. No, I wasn't discouraged to the point of giving up on the idea. I'm going to take your advice and try a couple of paint shops and see what they can do and at what kind of price.

By the way, just checked out your gallery, Lincoln and I love those doors !

I can blame the Motoring Advisor at my dealership for this... he offered me the red dash and door ovals before he realized they were only optional on the MCS. Now I HAVE TO HAVE THEM.

 

Wow, I didn't realize there was a problem with swapping them out. I sure am glad my wife insisted on getting the chili red interior to match the paint on our new 06 MCS. I need to listen to her more often .

 

Like everyone else said, paint:




I had mine done at all the pieces in the above picture done at a body shop for a very reasonable price (lik $200-$250 if I remember correctly).

 

Ship it out UPS, I could refinish all your interior pieces for $250 www.lambspeed.com

 

Thanks. I was just checking out your website and you've done some impressive work. I'll consider that offer. I'll also check local shops, as the advantage would be that I could take the MC in and they could probably do the work without totally dissasembling the doors.

 

skittelluride531, very sharp !

 

It's MUCH easier and less stressful to just remove the door panels. Otherwise you will have to worry about overspray and other things that come with the fun of spray paint.

 

A little different approach.





Bill

 

Did you do that yourself -- specifically the door inserts? Can you give us any more info on how to go about doing it?

 

No, I didn't do that and don't have the slightest idea how it was done.

The upholstery shop Peter from M7 deals with did the whole interior, door panels, seats, parking brake, shifter, center arm rest, the dash, headliner and pillars, also covered the door armrest with the same material as the dash and the headliner.

You might PM Peter and ask him how it was done, all I know is that it looks pretty good.

Bill