I've been thinking about doing something with the black plastic roll bar covers on my wife's '07 MC Cabrio. I don't want to spend $85 - $110 for the chrome covers, so I thought I would just paint them something close to the body's metalic lightening blue. Now the question - how do you get the covers off?

I found in the Bentley manual how to remove the roll bar, but not the cover. A fairly close inspection reavealed no screws or keys. Do they just snap on and off? Anybody tried painting them?

Greg

My '08 MCS CR/W on PATRIOT and due in B'more on the 18th.

 

I've ordered the Chrome covers and they should be here in a couple of days. I suspect that they will have instructions for removing the stock black covers and installing.

If so, I'll post the instructions for you.

Al

 

Thanks Big Al. I suspect that they don't come off and the chrome ones just go over the existing roll bar cover.

Cheers,
Greg

 

I have not done this personally, but was going to change my covers a while back so I did a little research. I'll try to help, but will apologize for not being the best at explaining technical stuff. (BTW: Many parts that you order from the dealer do not come with instructions. They figure that we're going to order the parts and have the dealer install them, I guess.)

The chrome pieces will not fit over the existing covers.

First you will need to remove the headrests from the back seats. On the back is a small cover that pops off and then you remove a screw to take off the headrest. Then the piece that runs across the car under the headrests need to be popped off(there is a front and rear piece). Once this is done, the roll bar covers (once again, front and rear pieces) can be removed.

This picture may help understand the parts I was describing. You could do a search on NAM and probably find a better step by step description.

 

Actually here is a better picture of the interior trim pieces that need to be removed after you remove the headrests.

 

Mishka - thanks for the quick reply. Looks fairly simple.

Thanks - Al

 

It's my understanding that it's fairly easy, but I've heard that it can be difficult to get the clips that hold the trim pieces on to release.

 

Thanks Mishka, that's a new site to add to my favs

 

Mishka - Thanks! I think even I can do this. Cheers, Greg

 

The RealOEM site is a big help for finding part numbers when you have an idea for a project, and the expanded pics are great for seeing how things are put together. If you want to go directly to 'your' MINI, you can put the last 7 digits of your VIN in the box on the second page, but be sure to use capital letters or it won't work.

 

I wish I had black rollbar covers.

 

MINIFVR - What you got to trade? When my chrome ones show up, we can do a deal...

 

I'd like to have a set of chrome covers.

 

The instructions that Mishka posted are correct. Pretty straight forward. Be careful taking the pieces off though. I took MINInurse's off and cracked one of them. They go on easy though. Just make sure you have the correct pieces together:

• FR-BR (Front Right- Back Right)
• FL-BL

It is a mod that no one really notices, but looks nicer if you are trying to get rid of the exterior chrome.

 

I mean I'd be down but they seem like they would be hard to take off without damaging them.

 

Minifvr - Tell you what, if my black ones come off ok, I'll send them to you, if you will send your chromes to Grommit/Mishka...

Deal...?

Al

 

I like that idea.

 

start at one edge, and slowly pry until you get them to start to pull apart.
I thought I was going to break the clips when pulling apart a set (not even on the car). As long as you kinda work them evenly they will separate eventually.
I had mine painted body color and couldn't be happier:
[photo for your inspiration ]

 

Josh - that's one AWESOME lookin' cabrio!
Damn, son.

Love the details - black-out, body color hoops and rings, nice scoop, full painted aero kit.... it's HAWT. Givin' me ideas for Blimey's reincarnation in a couple of years...

Question: Did you start with chrome or black hoops when you painted them?

 

I got a clean black set from PelicanParts, and had Detroit Tuned paint them when he did the bumper and the aero kit.
Chrome is not very friendly to paint, as I've learned from blacking out all the interior chrome parts.

 

What I figured... just making sure.

I may have a Cool Blue set soon...

 

I just ordered a set of black covers from Classic using the last day of their 10% over cost sale... though these things are so cheap to start with, it's not a lot of money either way (they're less than $30 for a set of 4 pieces).

Gonna try body color, I think... and may paint the other headrest trim flat black while I have it off, to further minimize it... I dunno...

 

Wow, I love those blue covers!

 

the best part is, it was stock 6 months ago when i got it
I get a lot of comments on the roll hoops, its a very subtle, but not, change.
I really only thought a few of the die hard mini fanatics would notice, but everyone with a mini cabrio has commented