2 questions:
A) is it a faux pas to put carbon fiber tips on the stock jcw exhaust just for aesthetics? I just don't like the look of the chrome tips.
B) how do you remove the existing tips?

 

I believe the full MINI P/N for these is 18302349677
Inside diameter is 68mm for that part # - and is intended, along with the polished SS version - as part of the PRO exhaust system.

I do recall threads of users on here that have successfully put the tips on the non JCW pro exhaust as you are asking

I also see on the newest configurator (for Mini Canada) there is now an option to spec. the CF tips to a stock car (ie non JCW pro valved exhaust).
(image from configurator below)



So - looks promising for you. Double check see if there are two P/Ns for different diameters - or if the one quoted above at 68mm works.

 

I've read that the original tips are spot welded on. And I've read that they're not. That its held on by a clip or something. Can anyone confirm what is correct?

 

I believe you can tap them off using a piece of wood and a mallet - the round thing in the photo above is a locating pin which the slot in the trim locates into

 

Seems to be more guys from Britain doing this - try the f56 board to ID how to remove the old ones.

The user 'killalchrome' has a lot of action. His vid here covers the install - havent watched it so not sure if he addresses the spot weld/clip issue;

 

The tips they sell are the same ones for 1/2 the price on Aliexpress

 

I bought the Countryman tip which is bigger than Hardtop and you can just slide them over the existing tip.

 

I got my CF tips on Ebay used for 1/2 price as new. I was SO excited to put them on but can't get the original tips off!

 

https://www.minif56.com/threads/exha...56-mini.33665/

 

Yes, it is a faux pas. Just like putting JCW stickers on a justa. Go all in or don’t do it at all.

 

The JCW Pro exhaust tips are a bigger inside diameter than the factory JCW exhaust, so while technically it can work, it's not flush and doesn't look 100% right.