One of the main exterior differences between USA & European Minis is the wheel arch reflector/lights. We are contacted often by USA Mini owners who want to get rid of them & have the plain Euro look. The arch sections are easy to change & are available here http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=215
Please note these are not suitable for Minis with aero kit.

At the same time European owners want the arches to have the USA spec lights http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=198

 

Do you have a suggestion for deleting the reflectors for people who have the Aero kit? The tinting solution doesn't do anything for me, I want to get rid of them. Is there such thing as a European aero kit? what do those arches look like? Thanks for the help, I have been wanting to do this for awhile.

 

The only thing I can think of is a Euro aero bumpers. The arches on these look like the standard Euro bumpers

 

bondo and paint

 

Yeah, if you like big pieces of bondo falling off the car when you hit a bump.

It would be more cost effective to get a set of euro aero kit bumpers with out the holes rather than try and fill the holes on an aero kit.

Most bodyshops wouldnt touch a job like that anyways.

 

not that im the safety police
but i thought they were there for a reason

 

Its a blanket item, some states in the US require it some do not so they put them on all cars just to cover everyones butt, Its supposed to make the car more noticeable but here in Texas its not required so im working on taking mine off.

 

Not to take away from your sales Mikey but would you be able to arrange an exchange if someone in the UK wanted our arch lights and we wanted there blank trim? Or maybe just get basic contact info so we can talk to each other?

 

ok
i wasnt sure about that
i figured since all cars had them every state had the law

 

Thanks for the post Mike!
I've sent you an email, i would like to pick up a set from you. Cheers,

 

I pulled mine out, painted them with a textured black paint...perfect match and they are hardly noticeable. Oh, and then I put them back int. I will try to take some photos.

 

I'd love to see some pictures. I am thinking about pulling the reflectors out, painting them, removing the light bulb, and putting the reflectors back in. I'd love to get rid of them all together, but buying a European Aero Bumper is proving to be very expensive.

 

Interested in this option as well.

 

Couldn't we just paint the reflectors black?

 

I used Lamin-X smoke, which gets rid of the color, but still allows use of the lights. I'll add a pic to my gallery. The tail lights are there, though.

 

I haven't been able to easily get ahold of R56 arches so I'm just painting the reflectors body color along with the arches. When someone comes out with a clear front reflector I'll swap the front to that and the rear to a red one again - the amber one is the only one that really bothers me.

 

I used the Lamin-x as well and like the results... however I would rather not have them there at all... I don't like excessive lights or reflectors... I believe it is required in my state to have reflectors/lights on all four corners facing forward, backward, and to both sides of the car but I don't know if anyone at inspection would notice....

 

Where you guys buying Lamin-X from???

 

I have a set of 4, I was gonna paint them BRG and install, but I totaled my MCS. So I put them up for sale in the Marketplace for $65. Check here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=124072

 

Picked up the film (Lamin-X) from them in Georgia, Mail order to Michigan. Check out the website. At least I think it was them... I'll have to check the receipt!

Tinted headlights, 7" rounds and tinted side reflectors. Lighting is on "dusk" setting. Actually I picked up the film for the side markers from Out Motoring.

 

another thought for those who can't swap easily....India Ink. Rough up the plastic with 300 grit to get it less than smooth. Take a rag, wipe them with India Ink a few times. This dyes the plastic, but just the surface. It's also opaque, allowing the lights to shine through at night. If you get hassled about them at state inspections, a quick hit with the 300 grit and it's back to ugly orange (and then back again).

 

Dude thats a pretty sweet idea. Does the india ink last through rains

 

it's a dye, so yes. it doesn't dry on the plastic as much as it's absorbed into it. I did this maybe 15 years ago on a '90 Prelude that had an ugly orange reflector in the black bumper. Looked good as new until the next inspection.

 

Question, how do i take out my side markers? lol
One was smashed by some idiot backing up in a parking lot at work.
I've been searching these forums but can't seem to find any answers on how to replace the lens.
(sorry if im kinda highjacking this thread.)

 

Might want to ask this on the modification-exteiror thread there more action than this thread