Hey all, first post here!

Just picked up my first mini, a 2009 fJCW in astro black. Spent the weekend doing the timing chain and cleaning the intake valves! Also did the HPFP for good measure.

I want to swap out my front lower grille for the one on the lci models with the brake ducts. I can get the grille and ducts pretty cheaply without the actual brake ducting kit, just wondering is it a straight swap? Also, if anyone has a photo of a black r56 front with red ducts it'd be much appreciated as I can't decide on the colour

I wanna rig up my own ducting system as I plan on swapping out the brakes at some point, I have a set of 6 pots here from a previous car I want to adapt to fit on. How terrible would it look with just the grille and bare ducts on until I get a chance to do my brakes and make up a pipe system?

Sorry for all the questions, looking forward to getting to know ye all!

 

If your lower front grille is the non-aero version (like mine), the ducts aren't a good fit, but it can be done. The outline of the grille is very different, so it won't look great without some work.

The OEM ducts are plastic (they're really multiple custom formed pieces) and are routed through a hole in the bumper support. The standard bumper support has smallish holes, so the aero plastic ductwork will not fit. I believe that WMW sells a kit that will work with your bumper support. Note that the OEM ductwork routes the air to the wheel well, but not the caliper. The LCI bumper support has larger holes for the ductwork, but I believe it would be difficult to mount on an '09 without some modifications (like cutting off the lower small bumper).

You could use silicone hoses from the grille ducts to the wheel well. Some people have routed the silicone hoses to the caliper, but its sort of difficult due to the restrictions.

Sorry if this is confusing, but with so many changes, MINI made it tough for us.

best of luck....