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I think I want to change up the side profile look of my R53 with a GP style rear hatch spoiler.
How were people installing those on stock US spec R53's that have the 3rd brake light in the original spoiler along with the rear window wiper? Do you have to buy a "filler" piece to put in place of the original spoiler? I keep reading something about the "MINI ONE" spoiler? Not sure where to move the 3rd brake light to?
Looks like I waited too many years, and now the Orranje G-Wing is out of stock (and their Lite model doesn't appeal to me as much).
Are there other high quality options available? I haven't followed this much lately, but have the itch to spice up my car.
What do the third brake light and wiper have to do with the spoiler?
AFAIK, the only gotcha is filling the holes from the old spoiler if you had one, and some people buy an R50 spoiler for that instead of using plugs.
Seems like on the GP, there was no rear window wiper and the 3rd brake light was down low in that position.
I think using an R50 spoiler to fill the void of removing the R53 spoiler sounds nicer. On there website, they mention the MINI ONE spoiler as a filler, is that the same as a US R50 spoiler?
Seems like on the GP, there was no rear window wiper and the 3rd brake light was down low in that position.
I think using an R50 spoiler to fill the void of removing the R53 spoiler sounds nicer. On there website, they mention the MINI ONE spoiler as a filler, is that the same as a US R50 spoiler?
Oh, okay. I never have paid much attention to the GPs. I think people don't bother with relocating the light, or at least I've never heard of anyone doing that.
It probably is, but I've never seen a One in person. The R50 could be optioned with a baby spoiler that I believe clears the GP-style wing.
Oh, okay. I never have paid much attention to the GPs. I think people don't bother with relocating the light, or at least I've never heard of anyone doing that.
It probably is, but I've never seen a One in person. The R50 could be optioned with a baby spoiler that I believe clears the GP-style wing.
I went ahead and ordered the G-Wing even though it's out of stock, they said to order and ETA was 4-6 weeks (4 weeks ago).
Installation doesn't look too tough, but the S spoiler seems to be the biggest issue. An installation video I watched said their hole blanks might just be stick-on, so not sure if I want to go with that. I ordered them anyways. Might have to find a nice used R50 spoiler in gloss black.
I see an Orranje G-Wing for sale pictured on a green MINI, but it says sold in 2022.
Can you not see the marketplace link at the top of the page? Maybe there is a membership time requirement before marketplace shows up? EDIT nope you've been here awhile. Hope you didn't spend more than 350...
Can you not see the marketplace link at the top of the page? Maybe there is a membership time requirement before marketplace shows up? EDIT nope you've been here awhile. Hope you didn't spend more than 350...
Oh, I see it now! I was just scanning for Orranje. Paid a bit more, but it'll be painted, so maybe a break even. I think the original GP and Orranje versions have the nicest shape.
On YouTube, just watched a video of a guy taking off the S extended spoiler and it looked like a major PITA. "R53 Mini Removing the Cooper S wing & fitting my G Wing Lite"
MINI used to sell finned plugs to cover the holes when installing the JCW wing.
The FUbricaction wing is ok in quality, but not close to the Orranje GP wing IMO. There’s also a big difference in price with the FUbrication being a good deal when it was available. The only reason why I went with the FUbrication is I didn’t like the finned look of thef wing passing through the uprights and the decorative triangular recesses. I didn’t want to modify the Orranje uprights and not having to deal with overseas shipping prices and customs and duties also helped.
As for a factory GP wing and the relocated third brake light, MINI might have done that due to regulations regarding visibility. Besides not having a rear wiper hole, the factory GP hatch glass is notched for the mounting brackets.
Pics below of the JCW plugs and the FUbrication GP wing without the end trim. This is sprayed with SEM trim black and the wing is wrapped in white vinyl. Both have some waves out of the box that need refinishing. The fitment wasn’t too good either and some spacers were needed between the bracket and hatch. FUbrication recommended some washers, but I used nylon bushings instead.
The MINI rear wing dilemma has always been troublesome. The Oranjee spoiler looks cool, but not cool enough to go punching holes in the sheet metal, there are enough rust issues under the car to keep me busy thanks. I've seen some massive wings that come with bumper brackets and harnesses that cross the rear window. I've also seen some simple bolt on options that appear to slap right into the pre-existing holes that have a lower, flatter profile than the stock spoilers. These options are either no longer available or only available from an overseas supplier. I was thinking of trying a generic Amazon/Ebay spoiler and just mod-fitting it, but then I realized the car needs attention in other areas of higher priority, so I'm just gonna wait a while. I honestly wish there was a simple, duck bill looking version that just continued straight off the roof like the ones commonly found on Civic and VW hatchbacks. I'm hoping to mod-fit one of those somehow and get the desired look once everything else is properly built out.
Well, my Orranje G-Wing has arrived. I haven't opened the box yet.
Mainly because the videos I've watched on YouTube of removing the 'S' spoiler from the rear section of roof look like a total PITA.
Any advice out there? I guess if I scratch the paint all up, I could pay a ton of money to have a body shop bondo up those two mounting holes and repaint that section of the roof black, but that seems like my least cost effective option.
Well, my Orranje G-Wing has arrived. I haven't opened the box yet.
Mainly because the videos I've watched on YouTube of removing the 'S' spoiler from the rear section of roof look like a total PITA.
Any advice out there? I guess if I scratch the paint all up, I could pay a ton of money to have a body shop bondo up those two mounting holes and repaint that section of the roof black, but that seems like my least cost effective option.
Thanks!
Couple notes if you don't want to scratch up the paint under the spoiler. Don't use wire, use fishing line. Heat helps, I used a hairdryer. Couple of layers of painters tape around the wing is great for protecting the paint as you jam the plastic wedges in. As you pull the fishing line back and forth the line almost heats up the VHB tape and cuts better... make lots of pulls with less pressure.
More info here on post #284 https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4600707
