Has anyone made a tutorial for installing the JCW Aero Kit yet? Paying the VDC $1,000 just to install it seems a little outrageous if you know what I mean. I've heard that the kit comes pre-painted from the factory now, so does the $1,500 include paint?

 

From everything I've read, the kit does not come pre-painted.

" Kit includes a front and rear bumper, side skirts and an all black hood grille.

Price does not include installation or painting."

 

Right, but recently I thought they started painting the kits at the factory instead of at the VDC. Maybe I'm wrong, who knows.

 

I skipped this option because it was not done at the factory. If you are right, I am sure it will increase the number of Aero kits sold.

 

I heard that they are now being offered painted from the factory. I do not know if the price changed or not.

JJ

 

Well I'm calling and placing my order today so I'll ask to make sure. If it comes prepainted for the same price its totally worth the $1,595 they charge and I'll install the thing myself.

 

Please let us know how that goes. Note, if you're getting the PDC, I believe you'll need to order a kit with the proper holes. Here's a couple of threads on karlInSanDiego's DIY install (including painting):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...88#post1545188
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=93135

 

Oooh his Flickr album helps a TON, thanks!

 

Please let me know! That would be awesome.

I know someone who installed his Aero kit himself. He said it is not hard and is straightforward, but is time consuming. Thats where you money goes for the install. And thats where you can save $$!

 

Ok, I was told that if you order a JCW aero kit separate from the car it will still come unpainted, and if you do order it with the car you have to have it installed by the dealer/VDC.

So, looks like I'll be ordering it from Morristown MINI

 

I wonder how much a body shop would charge to shoot the kit? I had a local shop shoot a bumper panel insert (to replace one dealership bolted license plate on), and the finish is to this day indistinguishable from the factory finish. I think I paid less than $50, so maybe it wouldn't cost that much?

 

I'm going to be finding out soon enough, heh. If its less than $250 then I'll be paying for the kit + paint from Morristown as I would be just buying the kit from my dealer if I got it shipped.

 

Ok, an update:

Final tally for the cost of the aero kit:
The kit: $1,276
Shipping: $55
Paint: $885
Install: Free

Total: $2,216
VDC: ($2,550)
Savings: $334

So its not actually too bad of a price to get it installed at the VDC, if you trust their work (which I don't). I also didn't shop around for paint as I wanted to make sure that I got the best finish possible.

I got quoted 12 hours to sand and paint the kit, does that seem like a fair estimate?

 

That is a very reasonable price. I paid about $1200 in DC for painting and installation. Parts were primed, but need additional sanding and prime. Also, remember to specify how you want the rear diffuser painted (mine is black like the MINI JCW pictures, see my gallery, instead of the car color, but they recommended doing it in gloss instead of satin which I would really have preferred to match the arches). You'll love the change in looks. I have the rear mudguards on mine which I had to rig to install because of the difference in the bumper shape, but I like the way it wraps the wheel and finishes the tail. Otherwise, it seemed a little naked to me. Good luck!

 

I'm going with a gloss black to match the sheen of the paint. I plan to get the arches painted a gloss black in the future to match it

It won't get done till the week of the 19th and the wait is killing me just as much as the initial wait for the MINI did!

 

OK so it seems like one may save few hundred bucks by having the JCW aero kit painted and installed at a body shop after taking delivery but here is something else one should keep in mind: According to my insurance company's policy (Progressive), add-on parts and accesories like the JCW aero kit are fully covered by the insurance policy only if that accessory is installed by the dealer (or at the VDC) before taking delivery of the car. If the accessory is installed after taking delivery, then the insurance will cover only part of the damage to that accessory. I think there is some additional insurance that one can buy to insure these accesories. This is Progressive's policy and I imagine other major insurance companies have something similar. Another thing to keep in mind!

 

I haven't heard, if you get it installed at the VDC do they still give you the stock bumper or do they keep that?

 

Sounds like you have a little wait and so do we. Post some pictures after the installation. I checked your gallery, only 3 pictures, but a nice MINI.

 

My dealer told me that VDC keeps the stock bumper.

 

Thanks, I haven't uploaded any pics of my current MCS to it yet though

 

Thats BS, you paid for those parts and you should be entitled to them. They pull that same move with rims that are installed at the factory. Even though you aren't getting a break on price for upgrading rims, you don't receive the original ones you paid for.