Have most people been purchasing another set of trim pieces or using the factory pieces? Cheaper or easier way to go?

 

>>Have most people been purchasing another set of trim pieces or using the factory pieces? Cheaper or easier way to go?
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MINI sent me one side of the aero side skirt/rocker panel and I bought the other. I am having these and the pieces that go around the wheel wells painted and, probably, clearguarded. The price of the black plastic pieces around the wheels came to $114 for a whole set, so I thought that was the way to go. Also, if it doesn't work out well, I'll still have the originals to put back on.

 

I just used the stuff that came with the car. You could always get a new set from the dealer later if you want them.

 

>>I just used the stuff that came with the car. You could always get a new set from the dealer later if you want them.
How has the paint held up (any special prep work?) and where do you live?

 

I bought new ones to have painted with the aero kit.
This way everything can be painted at the same time,
and I wouldn't have to be without the car.

I was also worried about anythink that might have been used
to make the aches black would cause problems with the paint later.
I figured new ones were the best way to go.
Besides, I think the 6 pieces cost about $70. Each piece is like $12.

 

I've been told that it's hard not to break the tabs when you're removing the arches, and that the tabs themselves cost nearly as much as the arches (which come with the tabs). Makes more sense just to buy new arches.

 

A good painter has special solvents to get anything off the plastic that you may have put on them. Also make sure they add a flexative to the paint. A good painter will know this.

 

Too cheap to buy aero kit. Is it possible to just paint the molding and not buy the aero kit? Has anyone done this? Any pics?

 

We have a lot of cars in our local club that just painted the stock molding all the way around and it makes the car look more expensive and clean.

 

i did a how to here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=19213

take a look. it tell how to paint them and what all the clips look like.

good luck,
chad

 

the dude who painted my stock arches said the hardest part was in the preparation of the arches. the textured surface dont like the idea of paint, so he had to sand it off. that was defintley the most labor intensive portion of the process. and hence more expensive. ...

if you don the prep work and dissasembly yourself, i bet you could find someone to do it fo around 500 USD.

 

I received a quote from Brian at Classic of $97 total for the wheel arches and black bumper inserts. The side skirts are another $113. I'll probably pick those up from somebody who is installing the aero kit and doesn't need them.

I'm going to paint the parts black to match the roof and spoiler! What do you guys think? I love the contrast of the black and silver but hate the "flat and unclean" look, so I'm going with the black instead of body color.

I've treated mine with Meguiars but then they look like pooo after a week.

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'03 Cooper S JCW Pure Silver/Black - PP, CWP, Space Cloth, Fogs, 16" R90s, K&N, 35% tint


'02 S2000 Spa Yellow/Black - HKS exhaust, OEM hardtop, Infinity rears

 

>>>>I just used the stuff that came with the car. You could always get a new set from the dealer later if you want them.
>>How has the paint held up (any special prep work?) and where do you live?

The painting was done by the shop the dealer uses, so I'm not sure about the prep work. It lookED perfect until I took a ski trip to West Virginia and discovered that WV uses ROCKS on their snow covered roads. The front end of my car was pretty F'd up, not just the parts they painted, but the front of the hood as well.

The parts not affected by the rock incident have held up quite well, I'm happy with the work.

I live in South Eastern PA.

 

I had the Dealership farm it out to a local shop when the car came in from the factory before I picked it up. (Did not buy extra set of parts)

The Black would look real nice, saw one recently.

Hope that helps...

 

i bought all 6 trim pieces in ATL for 55 bucks new from the dealer.. so its better to get new ones.. if you have applied TRIM SHINE to the pieces then you BEST bet is to get new ones... The oil will come out when you apply the clear coat of the paint... It will cause a "fish eye" look.. SO i would say its better to spend the extra 60 bucks and get new fresh ones...

 

Classic MINI sells the arches (6 pieces) for $44.80. Great deal, right? Wrong! The cost of shipping was $14.50, which is more than the 20% discount. :smile:


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>>We have a lot of cars in our local club that just painted the stock molding all the way around and it makes the car look more expensive and clean.

Here is a black MCS with DS painted trim on stock front bumper + side aero skirts


VR MC with all stock trim painted body color


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MINIlani home of Jasmine Trias

 

Nice pics!! The VR Cooper looks cool. That MCS is unique for sure.

I was quoted $97 for 10 pieces from Classic:

2 front bumper
2 rear bumper
2 front over-wheel
2 front behind-wheel
2 back over-wheel

 

>>I was quoted $97 for 10 pieces from Classic:

Keep in mind of the shipping charge, which might ended up costing more than the 20% discount. :smile:

 

Thanks! I will check with my local dealer and see what they have to offer.