I'm not sure this is the appropriate forum to post about my F57, but here goes.

I just purchased a 2017 Mini Cooper S Convertible. It is volcanic orange with a black convertible top. I'm thinking about blacking out the chrome on the car, e.g., front grill, headlights, taillights, door handles and beltline. I know that I could buy some of those pieces in black or I could do 3M vinyl wrap or a combination of both.

I got an estimate of $400-$500 from a local place to do everything in vinyl wrap. But I'm concerned about how the vinyl wrap would hold up over time on high use surfaces like door handles, etc.

Any recommendations from someone who has done this to their Mini? Thanks.

 

door handle will be fine. Mine last over 9 years and going. you'll end up with rocks chips possible on anything up front. Grille, headlight rings but I say go for it. Would be real cheap if you could do it yourself... I did all of mine myself...

 

That's interesting. Perhaps I should buy the plastic cover piece for the front grill instead of using the vinyl on that part?

 

Any feedback on vinyl tape versus plastic pieces from like Outmotoring.Com?

 

I used plastic pieces for my grill surround,my headlite and tailite rings,and my door handles and gas cap. These are on a midnite black 2013 JCW and it looks NASTY. The problem is the way the sun fades these pieces as the car itself is a metallic paint and the trim items are just black. Maybe I'm being too picky but the black against black IS noticible whereas it wouldn't be with other colors.

ISAMIN

 

For the headlight and tail lights go with the factory rings. The stick over ones are kinda cheesy as they aren't the tightest fit.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/blacko...-f56-mini.html
https://www.waymotorworks.com/blacko...-f56-mini.html

For the belt line I did plastic dip on it on my GP and been on for 4yrs and looks great still, was only like $7. If you don't like it peel it off and you're not really out anything.

then door handles
https://www.waymotorworks.com/black-...overs-f56.html

 

Decided to black out the front grill and door handles. I also changed out the side scuttles. I purchased the "covers" from Outmotoring.Com. I am loving the way it came out!

 

If you're going to cover them the CARBONMINI stuff is great, if on the expensive side, but it should hold up better than the simple plastic ones.