I noticed that my radiator is picking up a lot of little pebbles inbetween the fins, is there a different grill than the painted 3 straight beams? I bought a MINI bra for this thing, that has a screen covering this area, but I have never installed it. Not sure if it would cause more damage than not. I would like to use the bra durning the winter, anyone else done this? Cause too much damage to the paint? Any other quirks?

Other question, why is there no cutout in the bra for a license plate? I assume I have no other choice but to cut it to make it fit, and that was the main reason I never installed it.

 

You can replace the stock grille with the black honeycomb JCW Grille. Inexpensive and easy

 

Any link to where to buy it from? Pictures?

 

Buy it from the dealer.

 

Those vinyl removable bras are only meant to go on a day at a time or so. You will damage your paint if you install one and leave it on indefinitely. I had one for my M3 and only used it for highway road trips and track days. On road trips it got removed as soon as I reached my destination. With my MINI I went to a clear bra instead and won't use a vinyl one anymore.

If you cut an opening in yours to accommodate a license plate, it will just continue to tear itself to destruction as highway speed (60+ MPH) wind beats on it.

 

I have the M7 grille. It is mesh, and is available in black or silver. There are also lower front and rear grilles available to match it. See them all here:

http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...products_id=22