ok, so i now have the upper section of the MINI aero grille for my 02 cooper S and was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to walk me through the install. i have been told its really simple i just want to be sure. thanks

 

Super easy -- just pop the bonnet up and look behind the stock grill, there are I believe 8 to 10 self-threading nuts on the plastic studs of the grill.

I used a socket, super easy to take off. Set the new grill in and put the self-threading nuts on the studs of the new grill -- use a socket to make it easy.

I noticed on mine I had about 6 self-threading nuts that had enough surround to put back on easily with a socket, and the rest were smaller square ones that the trick didn't work for, I just used those but had to trim the surround on a couple to make them fit in the spots I wanted them to -- the smaller square ones go in the tighter spots -- you'll see... be careful not to strip them.

 

Make sure to put a big towel or something else to cover the engine bay, you dont want to lose those self-threading nuts in there!

 

A real smart idea is to put a blanket over the engine so that in the event that you drop one of the threading screws (easy to do) you won't loose them as they fall into to the abyss never to be found again LOL.

 

That's a good idea -- mine stayed in the socket when removing but good suggestion.

 

ok thanks guys im gonna do that tomorro first thing, i love days off. silenzi i saw your mini on car domain i think and i love it. what did you paint the headlight trim with? thanks

 

I painted mine with krylon spray paint, sanded/primed/painted/cleared, it's holding up decently, but it's already chipped some.

I would suggest getting vinyl wrapped headlight trim: http://www.lylesvinylstyles.net/mini

I'm going to use my painted headlight trim pieces until they get ugly enough that I want to replace them and get some vinyl ones..

 

that link is dead, does anyone else know where i can get vinal headlight trim? thanks

 

Hmph, looks like they updated, just go to the main; http://www.lylesvinylstyles.net/

 

the girlle is in and i think it looks great. now i need to remover the lower grille to paint it and was wondering if anyone could walk me through THAT proscess. thanks again.

 

Just going to use the aero top piece and the OEM style lower piece ?

The bottom chrome piece just snaps into the bumper, I used a plastic pry tool and a rag so as not to scuff up my bumper -- take your time with it and go slowly so you don't break the plastic tabs to snap it back in with..

The slat (that is probably matched to the body color) should be attached with double-sided tape, I used the same tools and went very very slowly, then spent a good while removing the remains of the tape... be careful with it as it will bend very easily...

 

ya, im going with the aero upper and stock lower grille, i saw it on the palo uber website and liked it alot and i dont want to hack up the stock lower bumper. im going to remove the lower grille and paint it the same color as the aero grille. krylon flat black and a clear coat is what was suggested and that looks like the way im gonna go. thanks again

 

No prob. Try to get all of the chrome off, paint won't stick well to shiny spots, paint in a warm area if you can, warmer the better. Many light & even coats are better than a few heavy/globby ones.

 

Mine was a bit of a pain to get off...I could never get the self-threading nuts to bite coming off...well maybe 2 of em' did. So my stock grill is pretty much toast now as about 4-5 of the plastic studs broke off.

No worries as the Aero grill looks sharp esp w/ the carbon fiber hood scoop! I also pre-threaded the studs w/ one of the nuts before I put the new Aero on to make it easier.

Now to determine if I am going to install the lower I received too

cp

 

when putting my stock lower grille back in after painting will i b able to re use the double sided tape? if not what will work as well

 

Can probably get some 3m double-sided tape at a local hardware store or hardware department at wal-mart/fred-meyer or maybe an auto parts store..

 

Didnt do the lower...still "might" but instead sanded and painted and looks great!!!

 

cpayne, that looks great and you didnt have 2 cut the bumper. you removed the slat and crome piece to paint them correct? what type of paint did you use?

 

Thanks...Ya just removed them both which is a bit tricky but not bad..just go slow. And sanded/roughed up surface and painted. I used 4 coats of black semi-gloss engine enamel...will see how it holds up.

 

Here is the larger pic: