Does anyone out there know if you can add the chrome inserts to the front and rear bumpers of my brand new Cooper 04, Manaul, INdi Blue, and just ballpark a price. Dealer says can be done but I got the sense he wasn't too fired up about it. I bought my babyand love him however he didn't have the chrome inserts I really wanted and I just simply could not wait to special order a vehicle. (There's always next time) Althougjh I thought I could overlook this it is nagging at me. If some one tells me to get over it and just love him as he is I will. HOwever, if he can be tweaked all the better. Also, is it normal for a car to make you smile everytime you look at it?? He brings tears to me eyes. How crazy is that?

 

I knew that there was something about the picture in the brochure that looked different from my car. I have a 2-04 build MC and indeed it does not have the chrome bumpers. Now I feel slighted.

If we don't get an answer I will find out the price and how difficult they are to change.

Good luck,

 

That is highly acceptable...........around here anyways. It tends to happen to the best of us. It only gets better from here. Just sit back and relax and get ready to meet some real crazy MINI maniacs.
As for your question regarding the trim, I'm not sure. Sorry. That's all I can offer.
Cheers,

And P.S.- Welcome to the group.

 

You should be able to have that done by the dealer. It is a dealer installed part.

 

My autobody guy says they're not expensive to buy, just expensive to have installed. I think he said they're $16 each, but don't quote me on that. I think they're held in by tabs and you have to remove the bumper cover to replace them. If you're handy and can do it yourself, it should be a pretty cheap upgrade.

 

You should definitely install them yourself and save any charges that would be placed on by the dealer. I dont think they are as cheap as stated above, but they arent super expensive.

The thing is...if you had them ordered from the factory, they are connected by tabs that are inserted into holes in your bumper. As it is now, you just have a bare bumper minus the holes. So the chrome inserts(black available too) will have tabs. You are able to dremel off all the tabs(not hard at all) and then place them directly on the bumper. And attach with a heavy duty glue. Somone else on this board might know an exact brand or something

good luck...enjoy your MINI, it will last a long time

 

I was ordering a few factory parts this morning and asked the MINI parts guy about this. He said that you had to buy the entire bumper cover. That means painting to much, not something I want to get into.

If there are aftermarket trim pieces, I would be very anxious to know the source.

 

I found chrome bumper inserts at "Cool New Mini." They indicate that they are for the Mini One. I submitted a question regarding their fit to a standard, US Mini and how to install.

They are about $115 or so.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied to my query regarding the chrome bumper inserts. I talked with my sales guy again and he just doesn't want to go there. This leads me to think its a very expensive thing to do. Probably around 400 bucks each. Im handy but not that handy> i wouldn't dream of putting holes in Blue myself; that would be for professionsals. Do not try this at home Im going to live with it awhile and see what happens. Im getting the bug lights installed so that should chrome it up a bit. Also putting in center armrest. Anyone out there have center armrest and do you like??

 

kshile,

Maybe you didn't read or understand all of the posts. It does not involve drilling or cutting on the car. It involves cutting the tabs off of the aftermarket chrome inserts and then gluing them in place.

I share your concern about drilling into your new car, but it does not involve that. I posed a question to the people at "Cool New Mini," but they have yet to answer it. I asked the exact procedure for putting them on. I believe that it will be as described above.

There are some very good automotive trim adhesives available.

 

Ya, please read my post again. It only requires cutting off the tabs...and there is no better way to bond with your mini then to cut things and drill holes .

You can get it all at mini mania for like 100-115 i think. Still less then if you ordered it from the dealer. And Classic Auto Campus could get it for you...call them , they will get you a discounted price, and provide part numbers:smile:

 

Here's an MC w/ chrome strips.....perhaps you could contact the owner and inquire as to how she did it...


http://www.sweetdaisy.net/sweet_dais...bout_luck.html

 

Lil Red; Thanks for your reply. I did not understand so it was helpful and encouraging to get that clarification. Please pass along any info you get from "Cool New Mini" regarding the inserts and their installation. If it 's just about glue and a few hundred bucks for the parts I would be ok with getting some unprofessional help with application. No way will I drill or otherwise mar Blue's shiny new coat Took Blue to DC this past week and he did great even in the raging downpour. what a car. Now I know why men love cars.

 

If you will go to the mini mania site and look at the pictures, there is one good picture of the tabs that you will have to cut off. I can see that you could cut off the tabs without the cuts showing on the outside of the strips.

The next question is what glue to use. In the old days we would have used 3M Trim Adhesive for this job, but I expect that there are now some better products.

 

Thats my Stella mentioned above, I ordered her with the inserts, but I am taking the bumper off next week to check for damage so I can tell you how they are attached. I thought the inserts just pop out and can be replaced rather easily but I have never done it myself.

amanda

 

Get the "Elbow Landing Device" for an armrest. Do a search for info, its around $50 and works great.

 

Cometgirl,

I fully expect that you will find clips on the chrome inserts because yours is a factory job. What we are talking about is adding them to a bumper that originally did not have them. In that case there are no holes for them to clip into.

Thanks for your help and comment.