Hello all.
I have owned alot of cars in my day from a '68 Impala SS, '70 Chevelle SS up to a customized Acura RSX Type S and a BMW 840Ci. However, I think, with all things considered, the Mini Cooper S JCW I now own is the most complete package of performance, handling and FUN of all!
My one wish is for the factory to offer body colored trim panels instead of the matte black plastic ones currently on most models. Does anyone know if this is even an option?
I will be intalling the aero side panels and will be having the other panels painted and then installed at a substantial cost. It would have been a nice option when I purchased the car. Or, if it was offered, I was not aware of it.

Cheers, Doug.

 

Painted trim panels are a dealer option, i.e. the dealer can get it done for you. This is more expensive that it probably would be from the factory, however I suspect it is part of the franchise deal.

 

Don't use the dealer except as a last resort. They will wayyyy over charge you. (Most likely.) If you can find an independent shop willing to do it, you should be able to have it done for +/- $800. 90% of the shops where I live will not do it. They say they don't want to deal with the black matt stuff because its textured. They have to sand it and to make it smooth, prime it, then paint it. Also, make sure they add the elastic stuff to the paint. That is absolutely essential. As of right now, you can not have them painted at the factory. It looks SWEET when its done. Take a look at the interior/exterior mods forum. Thats where people have posted pictures. I'd say is worth every penny. It ain't gonna 'er faster, but it looks amazing.

Good luck, and be sure to show us some pictures if you have it done!

Welcome back!
William

 

I haven't had my door panels done yet, but the dash trim I have done - all 5 pieces (remember, I'm an '02!) were a total of $220 from my local body shop, whom did a fantastic job.

 

I just finished up this same project on my Jet Black MINI yestarday. I sent the six arch pieces off to Lambspeed in New Jersey and they did it for me for $300. Then I had the aero kit pieces painted locally .




He is talking about the exterior arch pieces.

 

Best price I have had quoted for this is £450 from a dealer. Unfortunately this is 300 miles away.

My local dealer quoted £650

 

I haven't been quoted a price...yet, but I already have a "shop" willing to do the work. They are just waiting for a new paint booth to be istalled to make sure the paint is juuusst right. With my Jet Black Mini, there is more of an issue to getting the paint to look right. Anyway, the shop is Central Coast Coopers in Oxnard, California and what they do is replace the arches and center-bumper pieces with new, unpainted pieces. These are much easier to paint and not much more money to buy...like $19 each. I already have the aero side skirts. Just waiting to get all pieces painted and installed. Due to the paint booth issue, it probably won't happen until February.
I'll add pics to my gallery when the work is done.

Cheers, Doug.

 

Ive been quoted a lot higher for those pieces to paint. A lot of local shops won't even paint them! Lambspeed seams like a great deal. Anyone have there website??

 

This one?

http://www.lambspeed.com/

 

Thanks R56

 

Yea, that is who I used. However, if you do NOT have the aero kit, expect the price to be significantly higher. Without the aero kit, you have several more pieces that need to be painted: All the extra trim pieces on the front and rear bumper, as well as the side skirts.

 

Im going to go with an Aero kit so I dont have to worry about that. I would like to get all the plastic pieces painted in advance. Im getting the aero kit prepainted. I orginally got my aero kit for my '04 for only $850! Now its costing me $1250 Painted.

 

Painting isn't cheap . When you get the aero kit painted, make sure they paint all of it body color. None of that textured paint stuff to mimick the arches...

 

Im getting it prepainted from the factory.

 

Then it is going to come with the textured arches.


Kits prepainted from the factory do not come in ALL body color. They have the textured paint to match the none painted arches.