Apologies in advance if this has been addressed previously.

I've a 2007 MC with a MCS black grill. The lower chrome portion was not securely fastened and when I took it in for a recent service the dealer offered to fix under warranty. As a result they ordered an entirely new "S" grill and chrome trim however the lower (new) chrome trim peice keeps detaching in the center the same as the previous one.

I'm suspecting the problem may simply be due to my not having the "S" bumper. But I read on a couple blogs that the issue of the lower chrome peice coming lose "poping" off is somewhat common (even from the factory) and that dealers themselves will use an adhesive to correct.

The questions I propose to you experts are;

Is this a common issue?
Has anyone fixed w/adhesive?
Any suggestions on how to secure the trim peice?
Or, would you suggest I put the original full-chrome grill back on?

Thanks for your time!

 

I have the JCW aero grill with the original MC chrome surround. This fits great, no problems. From what I have read on MINI2 the MCS black grill did not fit properly on the MC. Also I read that the MCS chrome surround did not fit on the MC nose either. There is a big write up on MINI2/R56/Cooper section about this.

I don't know if this is the info you are looking for but this is the best I can do.

 

This is very helpful! Thanks for your kindness. Do you have pix of the JCW grill? Perhaps I should opt for that instead if it fits better?

If anyone else has any experience I welcome the feedback! Off to research MINI2.

 

Here's the JCW black grill that I think DanF was talking about: http://minspeed.net/R56JCWCSG.htm

Was it really necessary to change the original chrome piece on the bumper? I would have thought that you'd only have to change the upper grill. on the hood.

 

Check out this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=138520

 

Thanks Everyone!

There was an EXCELLENT thread (albeit painstakingly looooong) on the MINI2 forum on this topic. The "final" ruling was;

Firstly:
The bottom chrome trim (aka surround) on the MC grill (non S) is fixed permanently to the chrome louvered grill. Therefore one can NOT use it on the S (black honeycombed) grill.

Secondly:
The black honeycombed S grill WILL fit a regular MC but there are the following caveats - only (2) of the holes on the TOP of the S grill line up with the holes on the radior of the MC (even though I have the S grill I never noticed this until reading the MINI2 thread). It does fasten securely however. The bottom chrome surround of the S grill is (about) 5cm longer than the MC's which is why mine keeps popping off. You can attach it to the grill but the pressure created by the narrower non-S front bumper is just enough to keep the bottom chrome trim from staying put.

Solutions:
Of course not buying the S grill eliminates ALL issues!..... Or, buy the S front bumper (which a few on the MINI2 forums have done). Or, use a cement/epoxy to secure the bottom chrome trim and/or "shave" a couple centimeters from the back side.

I've opted for the epoxy and all is well.

Thanks again for the insight, you guys rock!

 

Mmmm actually that's not true on US Coopers. It pops off just fine. I found the trim just didn't fit the S grill when I tried to put them together. But the JCW grill fit perfectly. Be aware on the MINI2 forum they also talk about MINI Ones and MINI Diesels. They seem to have different grill configs than justacoopers.

 

My Bad, you are correct - I could remove the lower chrome trim surround (from the regular MC grill) but could NOT attach it to the S grill.

 

Nice collection