Hi everyone

I really want to get the Aero Kit, but looking at something made me wonder. The kit is $1250...ok, that's fine! But it says installation not included. Do they not put the Aero Kit on at teh factory when it's being built? If I were to order my Mini and spec the Aero Kit, will they send the parts with it and then the dealer will have to paint and install this stuff for ANOTHER $1200 or something stupid? I thought once you paid $1250 for the kit, that's it. It's installed, painted, and DONE.

The same with Sirius radio. I would think the factory would make sure everything is hardwired and put in the special headunit. Dealer wouldn't have to do anything. I would just have to call Sirius to activate.

Please help shed some light on this for me.

THANKS

 

I ordered my Aero kit from http://stores.ebay.com/Morristown-MINI painted for $800 and installed it my self. Saved on the kit, saved on the instal.

 

Actually, the OEM SIRIUS install does not involve replacing the headunit at all. However, the headunit does not have the SIRIUS receiver built-in... that's a separate device that is installed into the boot area of your MINI, and connected to the headunit via the CD changer cable.

Keep in mind that it would not make sense for them to design the headunit to have the SIRIUS receiver electronics built-in. This car is manufactured for the world market, and SIRIUS is only in the USA. They would have had to design a SPECIAL headunit for the USA market - and a very small percentage of MINI owners end up wanting SIRIUS anyway. I believe that virtually all current car implementations of satellite radio here involve an external receiver that connects to the head unit - for both SIRIUS and XM.

I have the OEM SIRIUS install and I love it. You're right that the dealer does not "activate" the SIRIUS service - you do... by calling them with the ID/ESN number from your receiver. If you are comfortable with it, you can actually buy the OEM SIRIUS parts (receiver, antenna and install kit), and install it yourself. The instructions are available online. Note that aftermarket "external display" SIRIUS receivers are cheaper and offer more features (multi-line display, for example), but I went the OEM route because I like that "built-in" feeling. Neat and tidy.

 

The Aero kit is a completely separate set of parts. If you want it, the dealer will order it, paint it to match your car and install it after your MINI arrives. The cost varies depending on the labor rate and state regulations on the use of materials (paint and solvents). There MIGHT be some flexibility in the pricing on this add on, so you might try and squeeze your dealer a bit to see if they will cut you a deal on the paint/install to get their margin on the Aero kit...

You can discuss the price for painting and install w/ your dealer. You may be able to do it cheaper by contracting the work yourself (buying the parts and having another body shop do the painting and install) or even doing some of the install yourself.

 

What agranger said is correct. It's the paint and install that costs more.

I have two dealerships close to me, both in the same state. One quoted me $2000 total (that includes the $1250 for the kit) while the other quoted me $2750!

 

What does the install entail? (that sounds funny) How easy is it to DIY?

 

A friend and I installed an aero kit and full painted trim (pics in gallery) on my 2006 MCS this weekend. Well.. he installed and I handed tools. I think it could be considered nothing short of horrid. He is very capable at working on MINIs and it was still bad. Granted, I think there were a few factors that contributed to this...

1. I bought the kit and trim all painted, but never installed, from a NAM member. So, the trim wasn't from my car. Perhaps one's own trim pieces fit a bit better (assuming the plant doesn't want cars leaving its floor with wierd gaps/not sitting flush). The trim was from an 04 and mine is an 06 so, while the design hasn't changed, there might have been slight variances.
2. Some of the MINI parts/clips/style of assembling things are POS CHEAP. The absurd plastic posts/bolts on the grille alone were a bear to deal with.
3. As I said, I bought the kit from a NAM member, so chances are it was sitting around for a bit. This, combined with shipping, may have caused pieces to warp a tad.. juuuust enough to make the install difficult.

All in all, it can be a DIY thing but set aside many (many) hours. The pieces are not an "Out of the Box Perfect Fit." In fact, I would say that not one part just fit. They all had to be tweaked or wrestled with.

However, at the end of the day, I had a fully painted aero kit and trim for ~$1K. This compares to a ~$3kish estimate from the dealership. I can definitely say it was well worth the struggle.

 

It was my first time taking all the pieces apart, so i went slooow. It took me 4 hrs. to replace all the pieces.
Now i can take the front bumper off an on in less than 10 minutes.
The side skirts are not bad at all. Jack the car, take the old ones off (the clips will break off) align the new supplied clips and pushing them in.
The back is as easy as the front bumper.

From 1 to 5 (1 being rotating the tires, 5 being replacing the camshaft)
this is a 2.5.

Just be patient and go slow the first time. Pay attention were everything goes. After that, youre be a Pro.

 

I think I got a 'lemon' aero kit. It should not have been so hard. Ohhh well. It was worth the effort.

 

It sure is. night and day. My fav are the skirts

 

I called a dealership in Minneapolis today. $1250 for the kit + $1750 for install. So much for that option on specing an '06. That's too much money. I'm sure dealers won't say "HEY SURE....we'll paint and install it for free! No problem!"

I'm confused though...the car comes to the dealership like a regularly styled Mini, and then they take the bumpers off and paint and install there? If that's teh case, why can't I keep the original bumpers?? I guess I'm just confused on the whole process.

 

You can keep the originals, you paid for them.
Ou local dealer wants $3750 installed and painted.

 

People ....The kits can now be purchased pre-painted from the factory. I think they are about the same price as the painted ones. Your dealer is more than happy to take your money to paint and fit. Ask about a factory painted kit colors (they dont do all colors) ....Even if you take the painted kit to a body shop to fit you will save $1000 - $1500

 

You could also order from Classic MINI in Ohio and get a 20% NAM discount (s&h will unfortunately eat into your discount, but it may still work out cheaper).

 

But, as you pointed out, they don't do all the colors from the factory... so its not an option for all people.

 

I paid $2675 installed. NWmini

 

 

So is the $1250 for the pieces ALONE? So essentially I could purchase the Aero Kit, and they would send the parts along with the regular bumpers, side skirts, etc. on them. And they would be installed at the dealer, right?

So I could say please don't install and I could take care of it myself?

If I were to purchase it when spec'n my own, do they know that it will fit cleanly and tightly?

How many pieces are included in the Aero Kit? Front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, and spoiler?

Honestly, would I be better off just purchasing the Aero Kit AFTER a purchase?

I'm sure there are probably numerous opinions on this! LOL. Oh well

 

you would be better of buying it and having it painted and installed seperately, mine cost me $1,500.00 installed, maybe less. those numbers above are too high, they are trying to rip you off.

 

I would have had a hard time checking off that option at the price I paid IF I had ordered the car,but I bought off of an incoming inventory sheet and had a pick of 3 cars that matched my S, 6spd, conv spec. I really like the aero-kit look and have since gotten over it... NO REGRETS


7/10

 

I paid the same at NWMini too.....

 

Like I said ....your color kit may be available from the factory...ask your dealer if your color is available

Yes, its for the pieces alone. The regular retail for the primered kit is $1275...However you can get the kit much cheaper between $800 -$1000 from Classic MINI or ebay at times.

Most dealers actually dont install the kit themselves, they contract the work out to a favored body shop anyway. Find that body shop or any high quality shop and It will cost you less.

Furthermore It will not cost you much more to paint the arches at that time. Do a search on painted wheel arches if you dont know what I mean. This is IMO the best look you can get.

check out these deals on the aero kit
http://motoringfile.com/2006/01/29/m...als/#more-4622

 

Thank you for the help! That was great. Link doesn't work, but maybe a little later???? EXCELLENT THOUGH, I'll do my research on where to find an Aero Kit.