Facing a tough choice in the next few days, have ordered the aero side skirts, will keep the front and rear "stock" bumpers. I've been looking at all the great Mini's with just the side skirts painted body color, and others with the wheel arches and bumper trim painted body color. Thus the decision to go maxi or midi--have changed my mind several times, of course it will cost a few more $ to paint all the trim. Here is the car that has been the biggest influence toward the full treatment---


My car is hyper blue, here is another that looks great with just the skirts painted---



Anyway, really a tough choice, worst case scenario, start with just the sides and then later paint the rest??

If you hung with me this far, the other fashion decision will be for painting the brake calipers red or just clean them up as is. Have ordered power slot rotors and EBC red stuff brake pads, so I figure if I paint them, now is the time.

Thank you for any feedback, this is probably it for exterior mods, but it is a big one in terms of overall appearance!

BTW, just sold my other car, an MR2 Spyder, now I am fully committed to the Mini. Part of the deal with my wife was to do all my modding in one shot, this is it! Also have ordered some engine stuff, pulley, CAI,... I figured I would get it all done at once, have one fight/discussion with the Mrs. about spending money on the car as opposed to many over the next 2-3 years!

 

I personally like the look of the entire car being body color (like the first pic). I've seen a yellow one around on my commute to work every so often, and it has the body color fenders. Love. I would say if you're not sure, then just paint the side skirt first and see how you like it. Then later on, the fenders can be painted if you decide to do that But it's alllll up to you! And I look forward to seeing what you do with it

 

here's a couple pics of my hyperblu with painted arches.

 

Love those pics! Yeah, definitely should get the painted arches

BTW, my husband has those wheels on his Chili MINI

 

Agreed! The painted arches look great, so do the wheels! Thanks for the responses!

 

Anyone know the process for this? Can the wheel arches be painted or do they need to be replaced? The guy at Mini told me that the paint would not hold and they need to be replaced with a primed piece...I have a convertible R52 from 2007 that got hit the other day and I was thinking of doing this.

 

CubanoPete - The wheel arches can be painted, no need to buy new ones. The body shop will have to sand them smooth, paint with a fill primer, sand, paint with a flex primer and the the body color/clear. I had mine done before I picked up my car.

 

Thanks so much...the car looks great.