Is there a fit to replace black grille insert with classic chrome slats on 2013 MCS?

 

You can put a S model grille. It is a direct replacement. See my gallery. Mine is a 2011 and from 2011 on the S and non S grills are interchangeable. You will also need to buy the grille bottom chrome trim that sites on top of the bumper.

 

I'm trying to go the other way. Have the S grille (it's a MCS), thinking about what a chrome slot grille would look like. But, if 2011 on fits, that's a good tip, so thanks!

 

I'm getting a black grille insert to replace my 2011 chrome base grille. Make me an offer if you're interested. I will have no use for it when the new grille comes. I'll also trade for other stuff instead if you're interested in doing that. Let me know!

 

Still trying to confirm if a chrome base grille will fit a 2013 MCS. So far it appears answer is no.

 

My wife has a 2012 Justa Clubman with a chrome slat grille, and I have been thinking about trying to swap that onto my 2012 Roadster S for a while, I'm going for a full chrome theme this year. Maybe if the weather is OK on Sunday I'll give it a shot. I have the JCW kit on my car which might complicate things a bit though...

 

Decided to see what it would look like (with photo-editing...).

Before:


After:

 

I've thought about making the same swap on my R55-S... it makes it look more like a 'Morris Traveller'.

Researched the swap a couple of years ago, and was told the hood trim/opening on the S is different and that the grill wouldn't fit without some 'work'. Don't know if that's true or not.

 

It's all true, it doesn't fit fully, but it's close. The Justa grille is about half an inch shorter vertically than the S grille, at least than mine with the JCW kit on. It's a bit hard to see, but here they are side-by-side:


Here it is installed, all the upper mountings line up if you ignore the lowers, and all the lowers line up if you ignore the uppers.


Installed to the upper mountings you get a half inch gap at the bottom, enough for me to get my skinny fingers in:


Now I've seen it on the car, I don't think I'll pursue it any further trying to get it to work. It is too short, and would need some kind of insert to grow it, and you would have to do a little between each slat to keep it looking right. Also, the Justa grille has very little opening, only the bottom slat gap and a few inches at one side are open, versus the S grille which is almost completely open. I don't know if that would cause problems, but the cooling on the S around the turbo is problematic at the best of times so I wouldn't want to tempt fate.

I'm going to see if there are any stainless mesh grilles, or maybe look at metallic Plastidip.

 

I agree, spiney. The Justa grill looks way too heavy. That's why I'm toying with the idea of chroming the JCW grill. There has also been mention that the Justa grill will not provide enough ventilation for the turbo engine.

I still awaiting word from the plater in Pennsylvania.

 

Questions answered! Thanks all. Now I have to decide.