So, I traded in my '03 MC for an '05 MCS (love the '06 and earlier body style)... much happier now.

And I've been working on it! Made a few changes... what do ya think?

I'm basically getting rid of all the chrome. I need to get some fuller body shots soon, but I was just taking a few shots of the work I've done up till now.

The front end:
- I painted the grill black instead of chrome (didn't use plastidip because I wasn't happy with the way it look on a previous attempt)
- painted the scoop black

Back end:
- Painted handle black
- started blacking out beltline
- removed the word "cooper", I'm going to replace it with black script writing that says Cooper S... just something a little different to get rid of the chrome.

Side:
- painted gas cap
- continued to start blacking out belt line. I figure if I do a section a day, eventually it'll all be done.

All in all I'm happy with the new cooper... there's a few things I need to fix, for example, I'm missing the caps at the top of the pillars by the windshield. I'm not sure where they went honestly... they were there when I bought the car. Maybe they broke previously and were held on with glue. I have no clue, but they can't be that much, not that hard to find. Right?

Also have a "moan/creak" in the front passenger area when I turn at low speeds. Gonna have to check that out eventually, but I'm sure it's just something pretty simple.

I've got a list a mile long of changes I want to make... now I just need to stop spending money on fixing up my house, and spend more on fixing up the mini... I wonder if the fiance will mind?

 

Very nice ! And I'm with you, still prefer the appearance of the first generation MINIs although I will concede the powertrain of the second gens appear to be an improvement, early R56 carbon build up problem withstanding.