So, to save some money on my '03 MCS, I removed the headliner board myself and dropped it off at the upholsterer.

Worked out great, but they left 2 holes on each side in the front for what I can only assume are for grab handles. But I'm pretty certain I didn't remove any. (I say pretty certain because this car has been a project, so decent time lapse between items.

Doing a search, a diagram did seem to indicate some handles available.

However, I don't see any attachment points behind the holes.

Anyone have any insights? Do you have front handles? Attached to....?

Tia

 

My '05 has one grab handle on the front passenger side (similar to rear grab handles) and a second visor mounted on the driver's side in that position.

 

Pre facelift there was only grab handles in the rear. Facelift cars have the passanger grab handle and extra driver's visor.

 

Okay, so I could add a grab handle to the passenger side, and a visor to the driver's.

The question is, how to anchor them. The rear handles have screw holes right behind the cutouts. In the front, it appears that there are only square holes near the roof. C-clips? Some other nut?

 

The rear should be a matter of placing the holes in the headliner. The extra visor on the drivers side could be done with a clip to accept the screw. Be sure it doesn't interfere with the side curtain airbag as they run along the edge.

 

Rear isn't a problem. Those handles are already back in.

I'm hoping someone can tell me what clip for the front. Like, what is used in the 05?

My guess is that since they modified the airbag, it's going to be a bad idea for me to try this.

 

As I'm not sure as my mini is a pre-facelift I can't look and see. I doubt they would make changes to the airbag to accommodate a handle. If you look here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_5575 I believe you just need the part labeled as #8.

 

Just installed my 06 headliner two days ago. Both the grab bar and DS visor install with sheet metal screws that thread straight into holes in the body panel. No clips.

 

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, the earlier models weren't built that way. There are no screw holes. Only rectangular somewhat large (~1"x.5") holes that are behind the side airbag channel.

 

Sorry, I got confused while reading previous replies and thought yours was an 05.

I'd be cautious about installing a grab handle using clips, particularly on the passenger side, as someone might put some weight on it and rip it loose. The only extra visor should be OK mounting with clips.

 

Good point! Thanks!