JCW front body parts for Gen 3... factory paint hassle.
 

Hi. So I have a 2017 4door Cooper S/JCW in melting silver color. Apparently they assemble the JCW front clip parts (from a pile of separate parts/part numbers) -- they click/clip together as usual... AND THEN then paint the whole assembly color-matching the body.. And in doing so, the pieces are essentially glued together. I was on a freeway, passing a pickup truck that ran over something black flat and sharp-edged on the lane next to me... and it shot out from under its left rear tire and smacked the front of my car. Damaged TWO parts -- a cheap matte black lower grille insert (fiche part #15right side, below) and a pricey lower cover that goes across the lower face of the front (fiche part #13, below). It's the latter that's the issue. I took the whole front assembly off, and the clips that SHOULD BE all that holds the thing together have been rendered irrelevant by the painting process. Perhaps they glued it all together as well? I dunno... My fear is that if I start trying to cut between the bad part and the perfectly good parts around it to free the part so it can be unclipped, removed and replaced, I'll create more (and far more expensive) damage. My cheap fix idea was to order just the parts I need... Install the matte grille piece (that one is ez to remove/replace) and paint the raw lower cover a simple gloss black to match the black center bumper cover. I actually think this will look even better than the monochromatic treatment it all now has, plus I can do it - don't need a body shop at $150/hour...

Anyone have any experience dealing with this? Are my fears unfounded? Will razor blading from the back side be enough to pull the busted piece out without EFFING UP the good painted pieces around it? Do I need to have a pro-painter/body shop deal with this? The car's lease is up next month... and I am loathe to just hand it over as is because they will hit me with a big, fat retail repair charge.

thanks all.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...1b171d585f.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...edccf85a1d.jpg

bump

Are you trying to take it apart without removing the bumper? I believe the bumper NEEDS to come off first, before the lower part can come off. I think once the bumper is off, separating the pieces will be a relatively simple process.

njaremka is correct. Instructions are at:https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/ The parts are painted individually.

Taking the front clip off was the way i managed things. disassembling the pieces also made it easier to paint

in your case - looks like the matt black 'inner' trim has some damage on your ride. so you've got a few pieces to price up as well as the painting.

Pic below of how gloss black outer section would look. But - as this is a lease. - if i were in your shoes i wouldn't customize too much - or the dealer may be picky when you return and want you to return to stock.

whats the lease penalty for body work damage vs the cost of a self repair?
Factor in the hassle/DIY time might be best to take the hit - compare both routes $$ maybe?
The dealer could also help in options if you are honest and upfront. whats your relationship with the service/parts team like?

DIY/Other option would be to 'fill' the crack with POR15 body cement or similar to bond the main crack separation. When dry you could also hit the whole area with a rattle can matched at your local auto shop. or cover the cemented piece with a wrap. The fact its at ground level means that - unless the lease inspection is done by a dwarf, its low that 'good enough' should get you out OK. its a couple of years old, you arent striving for perfection. Just getting out of the car. The dealer can prep if for sale waay after youve left the building......

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a0c9c48724.jpg

Pulled mine apart the other day while MrGrumpy installed the Forge Intercooler. I know the part you're referring to is still assembled in the picture but it's just held in by clips and definitely wasn't painted while assembled. I'm going to head to Seattle Mini to get a replacement (lots of dings, scratches, and chips) for that part of the bumper and have it wrapped black while the black bumper cover gets wrapped in red. I'm not sure what the dealer will charge for it but Outmotoring has it for $124.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...cf28f79567.jpg

Love the idea of blacking out the front and rear lower grill lips! I'm thinking of doing it in satin, or maybe there is a black textured that matches the fenders material? Or maybe plasti-dip...

Would love to see any more pics if anyone else has done this.