A bit of an update: JCW Aero Kit is slowly "appearing" on her good looking body...












And a "during" shots, reveling some "minor" upgrades skin deep...







So, what is left is rear JCW Aero bumper, color coded grill trim and some "tuck and pull" of side marker (fender) lights that are now gone since "Euro Arches" are all installed as well...

 

Very nice. Thanks for posting the transformation pics. So which car is better? This new one or the old hot chocolate?

 

Thanks!
Which is better?
Well, there is a lot of sentiment about the HC one... Every time I see one like that on the street, I shed a tear... I loved the color, but it was a "beach" to keep it nice and shiny. Second, my HC was a lease take over so it came with some minor shortcomings from previous owner (nicks, and bumps...). This one is just the way I wanted, got it new... My feeling is that new car has a better put engine: no issues with "rattle etc", more power less difference form regular and "sport button". Fit and finish are about the same, but I prefer new "more black" look interior. Love the "pop and burble", JCW exhaust much more classy than Magnaflow (I had on HC),... Don't get me wrong, if I did not get a good deal on my new ride I would be still enjoying HC Clubman... I just had to get a "brand new" one and start odometer from zero. And this time, mods are more refined...

 

I hear ya. Its always better to start from scratch with a MINI being exactly the way you want it.

I was just browsing through your gallery...so many excellent pics. You are a skilled photographer and very good at editing the pics. Your car looks fabulous...enjoy!!

 

wow! I've watched this thread over the months and every time you post an update think to myself "looks perfect! He cant do anymore without it just being too much" and then the next updates come and I am proven wrong.
Looks awesome! What else do you have planned?

 

Thanks!
Next?
As I mentioned before, gotta finish the body kit (rear bumper), considering a bit more matte black vinyl and top it off with reworking the suspension in spring with some "blue iron and steel" (NM stuff that is)... And then drive it...

 

JCW Aero Kit: DONE!

 

I was going to post about blacking out the chrome line, but I see you did it. It looks great, our clubbie is black and white. I now want to to the A panel black like you have done.

 

I might have missed it, but why are your A-pillars sill black but your D-pillars white? Have you thought about going white on the A-pillars or back to black on your D-pillars?

 

I love the way it is now!
Rear original (black) upper pillars are white silver ( not white ) now, but I have the "old" pair in storage if I ever desire to go back... As far as front A panels, the matte black will stay for long...

Of course, minor work still left for Spring: debadging the booty door and putting a new black bumper protector...

 

Dang it. I was gonna say WS but figured with her name it was PW. lol

Did you vinyl them or paint them? I've been thinking about doing something with my pillars as well. Something about the new "color-matched" d-pillars looks...off, for lack of a better word, with the top being black. It might be because the body is EG and the roof is CR.

I love the progress you're making though. She's a beaut!

 

Vinyl is a "new paint"!
Thanks for your comments

 

Where did you have them done? I have some ideas I want to try out.

 

These guys are my "usual suspects" for vinyl:


http://shinzomedia.com/index.php?opt...w=article&id=7

 

Car looks great! My favorite color on the clubman.

 

I know it does nothing for performance but every time I see a JCW aero kit I keep tossing around getting it vs. the JCW brake kit or stage 1 tuning kit.

Loving all your mods!

 

I am not an online expert for MINI performance (there are plenty of those here), but I do see that JCW AERO kit is lower to the ground than standard. Both front and rear bumpers and side skirts "flow" a few in. closer to the pavement... That has to have some impact to aerodynamic for sure.
Oh, and as far as visual appearance? There is no comparison! this Kit is nasty


For me, as tuning performance goes, the route so far was: jcw exhaust, front brace, CAI, intercooler... Next on the list springs and rear sway bar, end links and control arms. That'll do it...

 

This is how we roll today...










Still waiting for spring...

 

I still think it's a bit unbalanced. Have you tried white a-pillars? I think that would be sweet.

 

Thanks for your input, but I respectfully disagree... Take care

 

What inter cooler did you put in...looks like HELIX. you like?

 

Yes, you are correct. I just drove the car today for a first time since installing IC and body kit... It was short and sweet but cold. I will have a better feel in a few weeks if the weather gets better...

 

Good god that thing is amazing... Now to collect my floor bound jaw...

 

No worries. Just throwing ideas out there. No offense meant.

 

Looks good!!!! Those upper pillars next to to barn doors, I personally would have left those black for a complete upper half blacked out look. But then again, those are my tastes. But overall REALLY like the cosmetics of the car. Very tastefully done. Of course Clubbies are the best looking Mini's regardless. I assume you also will be dropping $$$$ on wheels at some point or you good running with the 17's??

Good chance that I may be keeping my clubbie for some time to come. If so, spring will be bringing on some changes Tata!! And need to find a dent doctor guy here in TO. A few little baby dents bothering me :(