I'm interested in putting this type of front end on my r53. The only thing is, it's from an 07+. I assume that if I purchase the front bumper clip, and then the corresponding jcw grill, it should work. But is there more to it than that? I never assume that such projects can be that easy =p

 

You can get these: http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rsion_kit.html

or these: http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rsion_kit.html

I doubt it'll be easy to put an R56 grill on an R53, but you might be able to get it done

 

Unless you want to do fiberglass/plastic work, and repaint, I would strongly the similar looking ones suggested above....the part might be pretty cheap.. coming off a rear ended totaled out car, but the TIME and painting to make it work would IMO cost you more....remember...the gen1 and gen2 cars are NOT the same size...and the trim will line up different, and the hood is taller......so might be MUCH more custom work than you think.

 

Thank you both for the responses. Yeah, the R56 stuff does look nice, but I don't think I want to jump through that many hoops to get the OEM stuff to fit. I would like to go all OEM but I think if I want to achieve that look, or something similar, it isn't going to happen unless I go aftermarket :/

 

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rsion_kit.html

This is the one I have and it fits perfect!

 

no, dont think that one will go. see how it dips "into" the front bumper? where on our cars, it stops flat "with" the bumper.

they sell a R56 "conversion" kit, where you replace the Entire bumper to go along with the grill, but thats going to cost you!

 

That and if I remember correctly the Grill ls not attached to the hood on the R56 so you would need to modify mounts and brackets.

Go with the one from Out motoring. I have the real-deal JCW one on my NON AERO car and it was a pain in the *** to fit the lower grill.

 

TMSCAF - I installed an "Out Motoring" style grill that I purchased from eBay (before Out Motoring offered them) and it worked out well for my 2004 MCS. One thing that I would suggest is that you paint the center support "black" before you install the replacement grill. That way you won't have the body colored support showing through your new black grill. You can see what I'm talking about if you look at the images on the Out Motoring web site page.

 

Did you have to modify the bumper to fit the mid grill?

 

I have these grills from outmotoring, and there is no cutting or modifying involved. Just remover the OEM grills and replace with the new ones.

 

Sounds good. I've seen a bunch on eBay and amazon, but all mentioned that modification is needed. I will have to try those then. Thank you.

 

I believe there is an "aero grill" that has to be modified. But these ones from outmotoring and moss mini are no easy install. I have the moss mini one, took about an hour to install. Here is a pic of the grills on my R53

 

Do you have a link of where you got yours from? Did you take pics from your installing process? Thanks again

 

I don't have pictures of the process, but they come with instructions. I followed the instructions and got it all done. http://ecommerce.mossmotors.com/p/ne...-black/104-020

 

Bandido - The ones that I purchased off eBay did NOT require any modification to the body.

The worse part of the install, strangely enough, was removing the OEM "Frog Lights". The nuts & bolts that go through the mounting brackets were frozen and no amount of fiddling could free them up. They finally just broke loose from the interior of the chrome lamp shell. I had to buy replacement lamps (non-OEM).

I remember paying about the same price as Moss is currently offering theirs. I'm guessing that they're the same? When I bought mine from an eBay seller, none of the "Name" parts sellers were offering anything but the Aero Kit that DID require modifications.

 

Thank you both for the advice. I really appreciate it. I will have to post pics once I make the upgrade.

 

Just a for warning, the nuts on the upper grill can be a pain to get off, a flat head screwdriver helps

 

I actually have one of the outmotoring grills being shipped to me as we speak. Question for you folks with the factory driving lights though. Did you have to cut the grill at all to get the brackets through the new grill? By the looks of it, they wouldn't fit through the honeycomb without some cutting.

 

I actually have one of the outmotoring grills being shipped to me as we speak. Question for you folks with the factory driving lights though. Did you have to cut the grill at all to get the brackets through the new grill? By the looks of it, they wouldn't fit through the honeycomb without some cutting.

 

I'm ordering this one on monday : http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rsion_kit.html

Probably in matte just to break up the gloss black rally stripes. They call this the "JCW" and the other one the "Aero" . I don't want to be cutting and drilling for the lower grille on the "Aero" package so the "JCW" is an easier install. And looks good too.

Question: I'm guessing that if I decide I like the glossy look sometime in the future, I can just spray PlastiDip glossifier on it?

 

So I got my grill from Outmotoring today but I am not seeing a way to install it without completely removing my driving lights which I REALLY don't want to do since the brackets are riveted in and getting the wiring out would be a royal PITA! Is there a way to do this without removing the lights and I'm just not seeing it?

Oh and the little plastic 10mm plastic nuts that MINI decided to use to hold the grills on is the stupidest design!

 

This looks great - I note that they're now offered in both matte and glossy finish - which is yours?
Thanks - new owner here of an 04 R53 JCW - exciting -

 

Those grilles are now offered in matte and shiny finish - which is yours? It looks great -

Steve
New JCW owner

 

Hello Steve and welcome to the R53 world. My grills are the gloss versions.

 

Thanks - I thought so - I was leaning matte but not so sure now
What a fun car - I've been a sport bike and naked bike motorcyclist for years - this
is new to me - hit a deer last year and about got killed -4 wheels seems safer