I just got my first Cooper S. It is a 2002 with only 8500 miles (yes it checked out via Carfax and others), and it is mint. I purchased the Aerogrill kit and plan on installing it myself. How difficult is that? It looks like the grill on the bumper could be tough.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks

 

You will find the SEARCH button in the upper right. If you still cant find answers to your questions then report back here and someone else may post links using the afore mentioned Search button to find said links sparing you the trouble.....also check motoringfile

 

If you do a search there are plenty of How-To's and threads on this. It is really very simple if you have a dremmel or other rotary tool.
A cut off wheel attachment and a Drill bit is all you need to do the trimming.
Black Spray paint to remove the color under then middle grill.
Patience !!!
Take your time and it will look great.

Have a look around on here Im sure you will find some instructions

Good luck and Welcome

 

The top grill is a straight swap but those torx screws are a little tricky, the bottom grill is a little more difficult but nothing thats gonna take more than a couple of hours, in some how-to's it calls for taking the bumper cover off, but its not necessary
make sure you use some kind of epoxy on the bottom grill

have fun modding!!

 

hey there texas,
some easy to follow instructions are found here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=belikeanthony

it's a thread i started a year ago and a lot of people added to my tips!

good luck! have fun. measure twice and cut once!

 

I've done this mod for a few folks now

couple of comments - hints

if you don't need to worry about putting stock upper grill back in just break the damn plastic pins off. Save the metal retainers if you can - or buy new at h/w store for a buck..... Most time is spent by people trying to unscrew what isn't a screw fastener....

you don't have to paint behind grill pieces....you can cover with 3M or any good quality electrical tape and save the dry time.

You could do this job w/out removing the bumber but I think it ends up taking longer. Bumper cover comes off in about 5 min and may as well learn now - b4 you break a turn signal!

I've never felt the need to glue the lower grill - judicious use of a Dremel with a cutting BIT to make new slots / enlarge existing slots in bumper to match the Aero' tabs 'just enough' has always resulted in a VERY tight fit. Cut off wheel in Dremel is used to cut away what u need to on the grill part ..... go slow, if you generate too much heat you start to melt the plastic, gunk up the wheel and just make a mess. A variable speed Dremel (like) tool helps...

As stated - measure TWICE cut once.