Hey just ordered my MINI Cooper silk green/black with the Aero Package was wondering what peopel thought of it. I didnt want to have to wait a year for the S I thought this package was the next best thing, and looks great. Was just wondering if anyone else has it. Now only 6 more weeks.

 

It is a mod I seriously am thinking of making, Sfiveten has modified two photos of the Pepper White that I have on order so I could see how it looks. Check it out in the thread "Anybody have pictures of a Pepper White?" click the yellow links in the 1st post on page three.

 

The way I see it the Aero kit (along with bonnet stripes) dresses up the Mini to make the look more in tune with it's speedy and aggressive nature.....which without it probably isn't immediately apparent to the uninformed motorist. I also think that rally lamps are more in sync with this option. Seeing one zoom by will have some drivers thinking for an instant that they have strayed onto a side street in Monte Carlo on race day.....and have you thinking you're about to win it! Although it comes at no small cost ($2,592 installed), I'm adding it to my EBS and can't wait until the rally begins for me some time in September.

 

I have recently heard (through the grape vine) that the aero package is really low quality (a fiberglass specialist I know got a chance to install one) and that there is quite a bit of modifying to get it on (cutting, etc).

This is what I was told, so I do not know if this is even valid, but the guy is a huge Mini fan and loves the aero kit look - so who knows. It looks cool - just be aware that there is more invoved to getting it on, etc.

-Peter

 

I love the look of the aero kit... but not all of it. The front bumper is okay, but what really does it for me is the black mesh grills and side skirts. I'm not sure that investing in the complete kit is worth it yet if the kit isn't proven to be of the highest quality.

Personally I just installed the grills on my pure silver S with the black bonnet stripes and it looks killer. I'd like to put the side skirts on, but I'm low on cash at this point.

In a few more months there will be many many quality and good looking body kits to choose from. Currently the Hamann is my fave.

If you're not completely sold on it... I would hold off and see
a) how thay hold up
b)what the competition comes out with to rival the BMW aero kit.

-gb

 

Hey Zogbogbean, I was attracted to the black grills first but was unclear if they could just swap out the chrome stock grills...is that what you did ? Did you leave the lowest grill as is ?
If you have any pictures you can post that would be great !
Jim

 

I think it's pretty cool looking, but I just don't like the clear tail-lights, and the new chrome exhaust tip. It also looks more street-rod-ish to me, and if that's the look you're going for, you could do much worse....

Rocketboy X

 

Does anyone have pics of this package in full? Like, the whole kit installed? Outside of that one white MINI that was modified for the front end, I'm in the dark with what the kit looks like and includes. I somehow missed that option upon ordering my MINI from the dealership. Unless it's just an American option. All I can say up to now, is that the front end looks rather stylish with the upgraded ground effects. Anyone know if it's offered in Canada, before I smack the sales guy I was dealing with upside the head for keeping that out, on the options list?
If the kit includes the clear tails, I'd either opt out of the kit for that, or drop that part of the kit and take the rest. I plan on having my Cooper'S' tail lights smoked to match the dark grey a bit more. Not sure clear tails would look all too appealing on a MINI.

 

MINI-MadMan,
I'll post one here for you. I'll have to find one but you should see it soon.
SW

 

I personally like the trim painted to match the car with this kit. I really like the front but without the trim painted I think it lacks something on the side profile.

If you would like to see more pics of this kit you can go to MINI USA - Gallery - Accessories
Hope this helps.
SW

PS. IMO I think the above pic shows that it is a must to have the 17's with this pkg. Just don't think the 15's or (maybe) the 16's look right.

Also wanted to mention:
"$2,592 installed"..... this seems rather high. The "MINI Motoring Accessories" catalog has the Complete Aero Kit "primed" listed at 1200.00. This means they are charging 1,392.00 for paint and labor..! I'm sure there is a better price out there.
_________________
Motor On!!..... Mini Me!!

 

The Complete Aero Kit includes....

1. Front Apron................... 360.00
2. Rear Apron.................... 335.00
3. Side Skirts..................... 233.00 per side.
4. Grille Sill Skirts............... 4.20 per side.
5. Radiator Grille Top.......... 51.25
6. Grille Bumpers................ 37.25(top) and 44.25(bottom)
7. License Plate Carrier........ 43.50

Per The MINI Motoring Accessories Catalog. The above prices are listed per item.
All Parts are listed as Primed (not painted).
The Complete Kit has a listed price of 1200.00 in the MMA catalog.

Hope this helps.
SW

 

hey do the rally lamps come with the Aero kit everytime i see the kit they have the lamps. i called my dealer just in case and said i wanted them with the kit. anyone know

 

Joel,
The above list is what comes with the Aero kit. The Rally lights are a seperate item that list for 400.00
SW

 

I'd like to hear more specifically about the quality of the aero kit. Also, if someone
other than a mini dealer tried to install it and needed to do some cutting to fit it
properly, maybe they needed some training to the job right. Do you know of
dealers who are installing it for less?

 

Thanx for the info & pics Sfiveten.
For that kind of money for the kit, install, and paint,............one could pretty much have his/her own kit custom made at a fiberglass shop. $2500 USD?? Holy schnappers! That'll be like around $4600 CDN. I'll wait until someone like Wings West comes out with something. Had good past product quality from Kaminari, and Wings West on other vehicles.
Doesn't seem like an available option to us Canucks though. At least as per Mini.ca. Anyone? Have to inquire to my dealer just for kicks though.

 

Glad I could help.....

As far as pricing goes... I don't think it's too bad. The paint and labor is IMO way too much though. I would think that someone with basic mechanical skills could put this kit on no sweat. Maybe in the future one of our members will take on this task and give us a full review. nudge nudge.

The paint shouldn't be that bad either. I would wadger a guess at around 600.00 or so for a decent paint job on trim items like the above.

This all depending on the quality of the parts. If they are fiberglass then I say it's not worth it. However if it is a urethane kit...... Well worth it!

Again glad I could help.
Keep us updated with whatever you decide or any info you may find on this topic.
SW

 

I agree about the materials used. If it were a high grade poly-urethane, than it may be a bit more justifiable in the pricing category. But then again, the kit includes more than just 4pcs of plastic. There's the other dress-up parts as well. But it's still kinda ify. I think I'll wait until I actually have my MINI in my possession, and by then maybe there'll be something else available to choose from.
Anyone get the June issue of R&T with the MINI pull-out page in it? Had a rip out page with a bunch of MINI accessories on it to pull off and attach to a pic of the MINI.............like wheels, scoops, flame jobs, wheely bars, spoilers, etc. The front end of the Aero kit is there as well. Mine's looking pretty pimped out.

 

>>I agree about the materials used. If it were a high grade poly-urethane, than it may be a bit more justifiable in the pricing category. But then again, the kit includes more than just 4pcs of plastic. There's the other dress-up parts as well. But it's still kinda ify. I think I'll wait until I actually have my MINI in my possession, and by then maybe there'll be something else available to choose from.
>>Anyone get the June issue of R&T with the MINI pull-out page in it? Had a rip out page with a bunch of MINI accessories on it to pull off and attach to a pic of the MINI.............like wheels, scoops, flame jobs, wheely bars, spoilers, etc. The front end of the Aero kit is there as well. Mine's looking pretty pimped out.
>>
>>


That same pull out was also in last months Maxim mag.

 

Where does one get his hands on the MINI Motoring Accessories catalog? Is this at the dealer, or sent through the mail? I've heard about it in a couple places, but I've never seen one myself. Thanks for the info!

Jason

 

MiniMe762,
Check with your dealer. I snagged one while at HA MINI in Atlanta, GA.
As a bonus.... on the back of the huge pull out spread is a MINI Poster.
I've got mine hanging in my office at the house. Looks Nice!
SW

 

ok...ive been searching around for an imposter MINI body kit including the side skirts...and i did find some...as i think we all agree the Aero Kit MINI offers is pretty sweet, but WAY WAY over priced
i found one for 1,295.00 that looks to me just like the MINI one (and even brings a black replacement grill to replace the standard chrome if you want)
go to MONSTERMINI.COM

another kit that is available is from HAMMAN, also offered by the company stated above, but you can do a simple search online and find the homepage to Hamman, i personally dont like it as much as the other one (this company is European)

and while we're on th talk of saving money for MINI parts since they are so expensive from the dealers, you can find most if not all of the wheels (including the 17 in BBS model RX made for MINI) for a fraction of the price...my dealer wants 2500 for these 17 in BBS....i found some for 899....W/ TIRES!!!
just have patience, persistance, and you will find EVERYTHING for cheaper[img]null[/img]

 

Hi there. I too wanted the Aero grills on my S. Here's my story.

I bought the two grills. The bonnet grill and the upper grill for the
bumper. On the S the lower bumper grill is already black, not silver like
the cooper, so I left that stock. My goal is to eliminate all chrome trims
except for the indicator light area and head light surround and door
handles.

The bonnet grill was in place with only 10 minutes work. The hardest part
was just getting the original one off. I managed to get the bolts that were
on the plastic posts of the grill off by wedging a small flathead screw
driver between the bolt and the plastic washer. While wedged, I applied
pressure and used my 10mm hex head to run the 'bolts' (they are cheap as
hell self tapping bolts) off in a new 'self tapped' thread... as when they
are put on they strip the plastic so they can't go off in the same thread.
You'll figure it out... this way you can re-use them to put the aero on.

Yay! It's on - woo hoo... now on to the bottom portion.

Ug. I've researched this for about 4 weeks now. What I posted on the
roadfly forum I hadn't pulled the bumper yet... but I had several emails
(like this one) that told me how to do it and what to expect.

Anyway - last night I finally pulled the bumper off my S. Here is the deal
under there. I absolutely wasn't expecting this. The chrome strip... is
it's own piece and comes off first by simply releasing the clips from the
back of the bumper. That slat you see at the top of this area.... guess
what... it's glued with some kind of craziness! When you remove this chrome
strip, pretty much everything else is solid bumper because that slat piece
is glued/bonded in. I held the aero grill up to this area and realized that
I would have to cut away and create a hole where this goes in the bumper. I
would also have to cut the aero grill on the back to have it mount flush.
I have a problem with all this because if I mess up the bumper is ruined and
I'm out 600 bucks to replace it... why didn't I just go out and get the aero
skirt and save the hassle? Once you start this project, there is no turning
back. Either the aero grill gets bodged in there or you buy a new bumper.
Unless you're an expert at bodywork and geometry or have some bucks to burn,
I think installing the aero bumper grill in a stock S bumper isn't viable.
I'm sure I could get it in there... but the probability of it's looking
good, correct and seamless would be low.

So, here is what I've deemed personally viable to get the same look. I plan
to order a new chrome piece from the parts department, get a can of matte
black spray paint and paint the chrome strip. I could paint my current
silver trim, but I want to make sure that I have a replacement in case the
painted grill looks like crap.

 

I think the Aero kit looks great, but I have seen another kit available for MINI. I saw it on a John Cooper Works version of a Cooper. It had f/r bumpers, skirts, lower mesh, spoiler, s/exhaust and 17" rims. Now is it just me or does the kit look the same as the Aero kit?

The John Cooper Works garage also mods MINIs for more fun!

You can check it out at http://www.johncooper.co.uk

Haven't got any prices but its worth a look!

_________________
Ian Potter