It seems the VDCs are painting the rear diffusers on the JCW Aero kit incorrectly (body color, instead of black), assuming JCW is the authority. This is the area around the exhaust pipes. Personally, I think JCW got it right. Painted black, it seems to 'shorten' up the overall appearance of the rear, which I think I prefer. What do you all think? And is there the slightest chance we can get the VDCs to do this as JCW intended?

From JCW:





From VDC:

 

you're totally right. I asked the head of JCW accessories in Munich about and it last June and he said that they are indeed doing it to save time. The solution? Paint it yourself or buy the insanely pricey carbon splitter.

 

I think it would look better black. It appears to be a separate piece that could be removed from the rest of the bumper (althought that may entail removing the entire bumper cover), so it could be fairly easy to do it right.

 

Hm... wonder how much that's going to cost me. Doesn't look like it's a separate piece. I also just realized the 'hood' over the license plate is black in the JCW pics. I like that too - ties in well with the black roof.

Edit: Here's a pic of the part from karlInSanDiego's DIY pics (what a dude!):

 

I guess you're referring to the JCW CF diffuser. I also see they have a CF tailgate handle, both of which is probably what we're seeing in the JCW photos. Happen to know where the prices are posted? I assume these are only available from a Mini dealer. Whatever the cost, I'm not sure I want to introduce another color.

 

IMNSHO functional pieces such as mesh and diffusers look best in black. Some people like body color mesh and diffusers - I think it looks tacky.

 

Totally agree.

btw the carbon difuser is a separate piece and costs somewhere north of 800 msrp with dealer cost being 20-25% lower.

 

Holy cow! I saw the CF tailgate handle in the configurator is 'only' $175, and was thinking maybe this might be an easy way to go. It seems the CF diffuser must just be a shell piece that snaps on. But $800 is just ... gah!

 

it doesnt snap on but replaces that painted part of the bumper. Its actually quite a large piece.

 

How can that be? Look at the pic above - it's all one piece. They would have to cut off the existing diffuser.

Edit: You're right Gabe, it's separate (CF replaces). I checked the install manual:
http://motoringfile.com/files/R56_PDF/R56_aero.PDF
Hopefully it's easy to pop off, should be cheap to get painted black.

 

Shame on the VDC man!

 

It's a separate piece.

 

That sucks, it looks SO much better black!

 

This thread made me do it. I first used 200 grade sand paper then 60 and then used semi-flat black krylon paint. It matches fairly close to the plastic trim and it goes well with the carbon fiber trunk handle.

What do you guys think?

 

That's the way it should be, just like the JCW promotional photos.

 

Looks great!

 

Looks great! Any trouble getting the part off and back on? Any tips would be appreciated.

 

Where's the diffuser? I don't see it...

 

Heh! Except that they're totally fake, non-functional pieces. But I still think they look better in black. At least they have the impression of real grilles/diffusers then...

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

I had the most trouble getting the pins on each side out that hold the black trim and that lower valence piece, part AP on the official MINI install directions. On the install file they're hex bolts but mine were those star bolts(?). That area was really tight to get in to but I was able to loosen the bolt with a torque wrench/bit and loosen the rest by hand.

Then once those two bolts and the main hanger bolt were removed it took some pulling to get the piece out. It helped to pull the bumper trim slightly down and away from the bumper it's hard to explain but once you take a look underneath you'll see what I mean. It requires a bit of force to pry that piece out.

And just reverse the process when reinstalling, which seemed much easier.

I used semi-glossy black paint and I'm pleased with the result.

 

I had the benefit of doing the whole kit knowing I was going against the grain and painting black when I started. I used a can of texture black spray paint from an automotive paint supply. But I quickly realized that that paint was WAY too matte and was not going to hold up and look uniform. So I went back with 3 coats of clear urethane that I was using on the rest of the colored pieces.

I was really disappointed to see that they'd deviated from those early JCW photos, in this small detail, but early production shots were showing it in body color.

 

Thanks Karl, your pictures were the inspiration for this thread. You're a trendsetter!

Pasta

 

Interesting thread. I think MINI must have changed this officially-- it's not just some VDC shortcut anymore (but sounds like it started that way). If you look at the JCW page toward the end of the 2007 MINI brochure (the big fat one from your dealer), page 81 shows a rear end of the JCW aero kit with the diffuser painted the same color as the body (red in the pic), not black. Personally, I think it looks better in black. I'm about to get one put on at the VDC next week, and will ask my MA if they can paint it the old (black) way.

 

Actually that's an easy answer - it's body color because the VPC takes care of all of the cars involved in those MINI USA photo-shoots.

 

its the exact same picture as the second one in the first post, not a new picture. also of note, the fog lights are blacked out in the picture too. maybe to show that they arent included in the aero kit?

since its a separate piece, any chance of a toned down (like more flush with the body) version of the challenge diffuser down the line?: