When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm sorry if there are posts or whatever about this, but I'm so confused I thought it may be best to just ask.
So, I know there is a difference between the Base and Aero kits, but is there a difference between Aero, JCW, and GP kits? I'm just talking front and rear bumper and side skirts. I'm assuming they are all interchangeable because they are all based off the r53 body?
I look them up and so many pictures are available for each that I can never really tell. Can anyone post pictures of them and/or tell me the differences?
I've seen some with the rear diffusers, is this a "stock" option on one of the body kits or is it an aftermarket? Or is it the r56 diffuser retrofitted onto r53's?
R53 did not have a rear diffuser option, my understanding is that people retrofit the r56 diffuser onto the GP rear bumper because it has weird moulding details that lend themselves to looking good with a diffuser.
Correct me if I'm wrong, please! This is what Google images told me.
Last edited by sarom058; Jun 14, 2016 at 10:20 AM.
For the R53 there was no JCW body kit, only the regular, aero, or GP body panels. The aero kit is often called the JCW kit by mistake. There was an optional JCW wing and also a rare aero wing which was not included as part of the aero kit. At one time you could only order GP parts with a valid GP VIN.
R53 did not have a rear diffuser option, my understanding is that people retrofit the r56 diffuser onto the GP rear bumper because it has weird moulding details that lend themselves to looking good with a diffuser.
Correct me if I'm wrong, please! This is what Google images told me.
Ok cool. I think you got it, and the images are helpful and not at the same time. Sometimes Google is great, sometimes not. From looking around more and posting elsewhere I think you got it. JCW/Aero are the same thing, there is no actual JCW kit, but some call the Aero that. GP is different all together. And the diffuser is from r56's.
Originally Posted by RB-MINI
For the R53 there was no JCW body kit, only the regular, aero, or GP body panels. The aero kit is often called the JCW kit by mistake. There was an optional JCW wing and also a rare aero wing which was not included as part of the aero kit. At one time you could only order GP parts with a valid GP VIN.
Like he said and I agreed, you're right. JCW=Aero (some call it one or the other). Not super worried about the wings, but thanks. And I've heard that too about the GP kits, you MUST have a GP to get those parts...that sucks.
I have seen some port in 2006+ and some not, again the 2005+ JCW things were weird and all over the place. There was a little white sticker dealers would print off and put beside the main sticker even if it was port installed. I called it the "bonus land" for 35K+ MINIs. My one dealer had a 50K JCW R52 2006. Talk about a full main sticker and additional white sticker.
