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I'm planning to ixnay the chrome trim on the headlamp rings, tail lamp rings, grille ring, and whatever one calls that horizontal trim item through the middle of the grille area of my F56S. Going from chrome to black (with one possible tweak after that, which I'll explain).
What I'm wondering: is there a real upside to using black replacement parts vs black 3M-adhesived-on covers? What's the upside (or upsides)? I'd like to get solid takes on pros / cons.
The possible tweak which may impact at least one part choice: for the horizontal grille trim piece, I may wind up painting it a different color (meaning not black). Part of me says that going with an actual replacement trim piece, vs. a glued-on cover, is a better option for planning-to-paint-it parts.
The only problem I have with the cover pieces is some of the cheap pieces have a tendency to fade in the sun. The OEM replacement pieces will be MUCH higher quality, and likely last longer.
The only problem I have with the cover pieces is some of the cheap pieces have a tendency to fade in the sun. The OEM replacement pieces will be MUCH higher quality, and likely last longer.
This is *exactly* the kind of feedback/info I was looking for.
Thank you!!
I replaced: • Front grill surroundings/headlight trims/taillight trims/lower bumper air ducts with OEM: as expected, they're more pricy but no issue on anything what so ever.
• Door handles, gas caps with aftermarket cover (instead of full replacement OEM parts): didn't want to go through hassle of taking door handles and gas cap out, I think I bought them from out motoring. They're good quality and hasn't faded in SoCal sun after 4 years so I'm overall happy with it.
• Black belt line: I haven't done it yet but as tape solution is about $20 (matte black), I will prob. start with tape then if I'm not happy, I will buy OEM full replacement (gloss black, in $600s)
• Blackout logo emblems: I personally like newer chrome cutout wing versions better (on my dark metallic blue) so I bought newer chrome versions but you can buy black emblems. Just be careful when you remove (OEM double side tapes). I had no issue on the front but rear, I chipped paint using goo-gone (maybe I used too much after heat gun...)
• F/R bumper lights: I bought Helix smoked version to be less noticeable on the plastic wheel arches (it's a part of blackout project, right?). Do not buy Helix. The connectors are pretty loose and another member had same issue.
You may consider taking your car to a place that does window tinting and wraps. You can get all the chrome pieces wrapped in black. This should be less expensive than replacing parts and gives you the option of removing at a later date if you choose. The wraps generally last for a considerable length of time and longer if you garage your car. I had my chrome horizontal chrome grille piece wrapped in red to match the air ducts I had painted red. When I traded the car (4.5 years later), the wrapped looked as good as the day it was done.
I replaced: • Front grill surroundings/headlight trims/taillight trims/lower bumper air ducts with OEM: as expected, they're more pricy but no issue on anything what so ever.
• Door handles, gas caps with aftermarket cover (instead of full replacement OEM parts): didn't want to go through hassle of taking door handles and gas cap out, I think I bought them from out motoring. They're good quality and hasn't faded in SoCal sun after 4 years so I'm overall happy with it.
• Black belt line: I haven't done it yet but as tape solution is about $20 (matte black), I will prob. start with tape then if I'm not happy, I will buy OEM full replacement (gloss black, in $600s)
• Blackout logo emblems: I personally like newer chrome cutout wing versions better (on my dark metallic blue) so I bought newer chrome versions but you can buy black emblems. Just be careful when you remove (OEM double side tapes). I had no issue on the front but rear, I chipped paint using goo-gone (maybe I used too much after heat gun...)
• F/R bumper lights: I bought Helix smoked version to be less noticeable on the plastic wheel arches (it's a part of blackout project, right?). Do not buy Helix. The connectors are pretty loose and another member had same issue.
Very helpful - thank you. On the gas caps, what Outmotoring sells is made by Senhai. Good to know. Re F/R wheel arch lights, I went with the smoked iJDMToy product last year. Looks really good. Crazy bright. Connector quality was comparable to the OEM lights I removed. I spotted the Helix connector discussion in the forum just the other day -- good to know for general reference.
Re the door handles I'm currently keeping them chrome -- my old R56 was hit by some drunk schmuck who didn't see the side of my car, so the chrome reflection of lights off the door handles is something I need, barring alternative.
But I'm trying to think up an alternative. The welcome lights in the door handles are an interesting idea, turn those into running lights. But against the black paint of the door they just aren't bright enough. At some point I'll get some kind of idea tho. Ideally I want the door handles to match my planned accent color, which is a red (whatever the red is that's the accent color on the black ALL4 circa 2019).
You may consider taking your car to a place that does window tinting and wraps. You can get all the chrome pieces wrapped in black. This should be less expensive than replacing parts and gives you the option of removing at a later date if you choose. The wraps generally last for a considerable length of time and longer if you garage your car. I had my chrome horizontal chrome grille piece wrapped in red to match the air ducts I had painted red. When I traded the car (4.5 years later), the wrapped looked as good as the day it was done.
This is a cool option and idea. I like it. I do garage my car. Wraps may provide a clean path for doing red accents (see my reply to @isugoo immediately above) -- I really want to do the horizontal grille piece and the grille surround in a particular red, possibly/probably the door handles too, possibly the air ducts. Still figuring out the particulars but that's the direction I'm going: the headlamps and tail lamps I'm definitely taking to black trim, but the ultimate accent color on the car is going to be red, and I'm thinking up some straight custom, using the same red, that might be in line with wrap-style work.
We just did this on my daughters car. Everything was original parts except the headlight rings. Got them from ecs and they snap in just like factory. Couple photos. Cars a 2016
@Bezlar that trim ring swap-out is a huge aesthetic difference, especially the headlight rings. Love it. The grille -- did you just swap out an S grille for a JCW? Did it come with that red? And is that the standard "chili red?"
I went the cheap-o option and have been plasti-dipping the parts.
I did my hood scoop and headlight rings. I plan to do more with time, but some of the pieces aren't the sturdiest when you remove and reinstall (broken littles clips).
@Bezlar that trim ring swap-out is a huge aesthetic difference, especially the headlight rings. Love it. The grille -- did you just swap out an S grille for a JCW? Did it come with that red? And is that the standard "chili red?"
@Bezlar that trim ring swap-out is a huge aesthetic difference, especially the headlight rings. Love it. The grille -- did you just swap out an S grille for a JCW? Did it come with that red? And is that the standard "chili red?"
The scoop is the stitched carbon along with the boot handle. Now looking to swap the mirrors for newer style so we can get the stitched ones. We call this car 16 going on 22. It pretty much is a new mini in side and out. I’ve added everything I can that’s newer. Radio, digital dash, lighted passenger dash, tail lights, and headlights. It’s been a fun experience.
we aren’t bothered by the reflectors. Plus beings its our daughters car I would hate to unsafe it at all. But those do look good.
Here's what they look like with the lights off. Not that I would be running at night with no lights on, but it's kind of cool to see how well they blend in with the wheel well trim when unlit. When lit, the front/amber ones are just as bright as the rear/red. HUGE visibility improvement over the stock ones.
But as you can see, between far-front and far-rear (where the lights are located), the middle is a gigantic dark spot -- this is where someone sideswiped my R56, and the chrome door handle is the only real reflectiveness there. If I can figure out how to make the handle welcome lights brighter I may just do that and program them to stay on with all the other running lights.
This is a cool option and idea. I like it. I do garage my car. Wraps may provide a clean path for doing red accents (see my reply to @isugoo immediately above) -- I really want to do the horizontal grille piece and the grille surround in a particular red, possibly/probably the door handles too, possibly the air ducts. Still figuring out the particulars but that's the direction I'm going: the headlamps and tail lamps I'm definitely taking to black trim, but the ultimate accent color on the car is going to be red, and I'm thinking up some straight custom, using the same red, that might be in line with wrap-style work.
FWIW, the air ducts can be removed and painted. My Mini svc mgr help me pull them off. They sent them off to their paint shop for the color.
FWIW, the air ducts can be removed and painted. My Mini svc mgr help me pull them off. They sent them off to their paint shop for the color.
I like that look. Also very cool about staying in the Miniverse (paint color matching is easy that way). Is that the well-known "chili red" or is that a different red?
My window tint guy did the grille strip with a red wrap material. Naturally, I couldn't leave well enough alone, so I attempted to pull the wrapped strip off the grille to send it in for the same paint as the the brake ducts,and naturally, I broke it. So I had Mini order a JCW grille. The brake ducts are chili red (however, the collision company that does the paint work for my Mini dealership called that red something else) but it was a perfect match to all the other chili red parts I had on the car. (the collision company that does the repairs on Mini's had paint to match any of the colors found on a Mini Cooper). Additionally I had my tint/wrap guy apply red pin strip to the black hood stripes to look like a JCW stripe
The svc mgr at Mini pulled them off for me when I went it, They snap in and out. He did have to exert some muscle to pop them out. I think there were 4 contact points on those ducts. top and bottom. He worked the top ones free and then the bottom.
