I did a search and of the hundreds of badge threads, none really answered my question.

Can I just throw a badge on the boot, or do I really need a badge holder? I figured I could wax the spot on the paint and then put it on there. Also, is nothing on the grill magnetic that could help putting on a badge with no holder?

I like the old style badges that just seemed to float on the grill. I am not too keen on buying a badge holder and installing unless it looks like it isn't there. Is the MINI front badge holder good for the Clubman?

 

I had two metal badges stuck to my boot without a holder without a problem. If you prep the surface and use the right kind of adhesive, you should be fine. I used automotive grade, side moulding tape.

Removal was a different issue (if you even bother with it). Although the adhesive came off without damaging the paint, I did get ahead of myself and ended up making a little kink in the panel. Take your time with this.

Now that I have my boot badge holder from Cooper Flags, I don't have to worry about damage if I change my mind about placement. My metal badges now have magnetic backing so that I can interchange them with my magnetic badges.

 

I had a hazing from just putting a magnetic badge on the paint that took quite a bit of swirl to remove. I too now have the plate badge holder for the boot.

 

I put magnetic badges on my boot on either side of the licesne plate (same place that the boot badge holder would put them. I just make sure to at least hit the spots with QD spray before putting the badge on, and I remove them every now and then (mostly to swap 'em). I haven't seen any damage to my paint yet.

 

On mine, you had to look at it on an angle and there was a very distinct hazy mark that was a ***** to remove. I use QD and Hydro after every wash, not sure if that makes any difference or not. Maybe because Wensley's Space Blue is dark its more evident ?

 

I'm not sure, but I get the impression that the OP is talking about a regular (non-magnetic) badge. Either way, you always run a risk when you put things directly on the paint. You just have to keep up with it.

 

I'm confused on the OP's question on front grill badges -- wampa, have you seen the single grill badge that creates a metal circle surface for your badges? You have to pop off the front grill panel to get the backings screwed on, but it doesn't damage the grill at all -- it goes through the front plastic mesh......? They're about $15 - $20 depending on the vendor. I'm POSITIVE Dickdavid has at least ONE picture of these....??? (I just put mine on yesterday so I don't have a pic yet.)

 

i just stick one to the back once in a while. No holder. The holder just has to be cleaned around. Not worth it imo

 

Yeah thats what I'm asking. I have magnetic badges, must I buy the front grill holder? Nothing on the grill is metal to hold the badges?

 

I am glad someone asked this question. I just bought four grill badge holders, 2 for each mini (one an 03 coupe and the other the new ClubmanS). When I lifted the bonnet to start installing the metal disk, plate, washers and screws the passenger side is completely blocked off and inaccessible unless the grill is removed. That is not a task I want to try for fear of breaking the plastic tabs that hold it on. That appears to be the only thing holding the plastic grill on, which is pretty much what most automotive grills are made of these days. I would think you need one of those funky plastic tools with a fork like shape to remove the grill to install the badges and hardware that hold them on. I wanted to put one on each side to keep it symmetrical. Before I pay a dealer to install them, I would really prefer to do it myself. Anyone who can post the instructions would really be doing all the new clubman owners a big favor! Can someone please assist with this little problem that now appears to be a biggie?

 

AHA! Fear not, kids...If somebody as numb-nutz as ME can do it, so can you.

To answer your question directly, wampa, NOPE, there's nothing on the front (besides the actual hood) that's metal. If you don't want to mess w/ the badge holders at all, use the hood (see my gallery for a pic of one badge on the hood, to the side of the front scoop/mesh/grille areas.)

I, also, was very hesitant to pry off the front plastic mesh...but with a good flat-head screw driver, it's very easy and you don't have to break or snap anything. (Even if you do, the replacement parts are only a few cents each.) Just be very gentle when prying or "snapping" the pins out. I found that I had to take the thin, chrome-colored trim touching the bumper off first, then the plastic mesh. Pry off the small caps along the top edge of the mesh. ONce you get the chrome trim off, you'll see little "levers" that can be pushed sideways all along the bottom edge of the mesh: push them in the direction they're supposed to go (you'll see) and the mesh piece comes out. Goes in the same way. The biggest problem I had was when I tried putting them all back IN -- not all of them wanted to go in easily.

I know it sounds really dumb to "real" modders, but I didn't want to mess up my baby!

 

A good solution would be to have a 3" round metal disk with an adhesive on the back that could stick to anything, boot, grill etc.

Just peel and stick it onto any surface, then add any magnetic badge you want, without the risk of damaging your vehicle's finish.

 

You think the adhesive idea is better than the screw-backed badge holder? I'd have thought that would mess up the finish more...?

 

The new grill badge holders I just bought from the dealer do not fit. They have two prongs that go through the grill (after you remove the grill to access the thing, unless you are a very small person with very tiny Gecko sized fingers). The prongs go through a plate and washers and nuts go onto the threaded ends, which is why you need to remove the grill to access the area to put the nuts on. Unfortunately the threaded part is not threaded enough so the holder would never fit snugly and will definately rattle. I will have to take them back and figure out another solution.

 

Not if it's the right adhesive. The only issue would be is whether there is enough contact surface on the grill. Obviously, a screw mount would work better, but if there are folks who are squeamish about taking off their grill (I'm assuming R55/R56 owners), maybe a simple adhesive solution is the way to go.

 

Hm. Mine have the prongs too - but they are the female ends. The front plate is backed by another smaller (inside the grille) plate, which are all attached by screws w/washers, through the back plate and into the front plate's prongs. Does that make sense? That way, if you need to use longer screws you can to make them fit better, and it's a simpler process. I didn't have to use the longer screws (I also have an MCS, not a Clubby) and it fits perfectly. I know it's a dumb question to ask, but...did you try NOT adding the washers? Or changing the size of the nuts to something thinner?

I got mine from...Cooperflags? (one of the NAM vendors.) I just ordered another set from a different vendor (still NAM vendor) -- I wanted more than one, cheaper price ($15 ea), but we'll see what quality is like...

 

Have you tried this option (they say it works on an r56 but it may be just as difficult):

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=68

 

No, just OCMD MINI parents, not necessarily just squeamish R55/56 owners....

 

I don't think Cooper Flags sells that kind of mount. Outmotoring has an option with different mounting hardware. Not sure how it fits on a R55/56.

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...ge-holder.html

 

Ya - those are the ones I've recently ordered. Haven't tried them yet. I'm VERY happy with the Cooperflags one, though. -- Oh, nuts, if it's not Cooperflags, I'll have to look up where I got mine then!

 

I spoke with the folks at cravenspeed and they assured me that they would would on my clubmanS....soooo....we shall see. If they work, I will let you know how. There is a dark piece of plastic on the passenger side blocking access to the grill, so I guess I can only put one on the driver's side, after removing the grill that is. Now all I need are instructions on how to remove a grill from a 2008 ClubmanS. Tools needed? Precautions?

 

The nice folks at "outmotoring.com" told me how to do it and it does seem pretty amateurish so I will go ahead and do this myself.

Pull the 4 plastic snaps out of the top of the grill and then pull the
lower trim part from the bottom of the grill and then squeeze the 4 tabs
that hold the grill to the bumper and the whole grill will come off.

 

ART ED, that sounds like a more succint way of how I described it on my MCS (R56.) Maybe they're (Clubman & MCS) not as different as I thought they were!

 

I got the badge holder from OutMotoring for my R56 S. Removing the grille only involved popping out the four pins on top then squeezing the holders on the bottom of the grille to release it from the bumper. Not sure if there is a better way, but I just used a long screw driver to reach the tabs on the bottom and applied just a little pressure. The holder itself fit great. Total install time, including figuring out how to get the grille off, was only 10 minutes.

 

Just got the badge holder from cravenspeed today and I have to say, it is perfect. Did not put it on yet, but decided to order a 2nd one so I can do a more symmetrical arrangement on each side of the grill. I really like the instructions that came with it that explain clearly how to remove the grill and apply the badge. This is clearly a no brainer as far as mechanical skills goes. On a 1 to 10 scale with 10 being the most difficult, I would give this a 1, and I am not particularly mechanically inclined. I also don't want to crack or break my new grill on this rather pricey toy, but feel with these instructions, I can do no wrong. Thanks guys!