R56 Official Oxygen Blue Owners Club
Blainestang, AWESOME tutorial on the grille swap - that's exactly how I did mine, and I didn't have any instructions ahead of time (and I was one of those who scratched my bumper, and learned about the painters tape the hard way)...
The only other tip I would add, and this worked for me but may not work for others, is that I put the lower chrome trim on the JCW grille first, then snapped the whole thing into place - other wise, the chrome trim didn't sit right on the grille when I put it on after the grille was in place first (did that make sense?)
Another benefit to the JCW grille other than looking better than the stock one is better breathing - I installed mine right before summer, and noticed immediately that my fan didn't run as much after shut down than it did with the stock grille...food for thought!
The only other tip I would add, and this worked for me but may not work for others, is that I put the lower chrome trim on the JCW grille first, then snapped the whole thing into place - other wise, the chrome trim didn't sit right on the grille when I put it on after the grille was in place first (did that make sense?)
Another benefit to the JCW grille other than looking better than the stock one is better breathing - I installed mine right before summer, and noticed immediately that my fan didn't run as much after shut down than it did with the stock grille...food for thought!
I'll add the suggestion for possibly installing the lower surround before the grill.
Also, there certainly is much more room for air flow with the JCW grill. Having looked at the stock grill after removing it, there is an opening on the right for air supply to the intake, and the area below the bottom bar is open, so there's more open area than I originally thought. That being said, the JCW is much better.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
Here's a photo of Lubos in his first motoring adventure in the mini
He whines when we drive with him which is a little frustrating but I hope he gets use to it. The doggy seat thing works perfectly with the mini and keeps him safely in place. We'll get him use to it yet.
-all this talk about grills, I hope wrapping the grill with vinyl doesnt hut the air flow :0
He whines when we drive with him which is a little frustrating but I hope he gets use to it. The doggy seat thing works perfectly with the mini and keeps him safely in place. We'll get him use to it yet.
-all this talk about grills, I hope wrapping the grill with vinyl doesnt hut the air flow :0
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Here's a photo of Lubos in his first motoring adventure in the mini
He whines when we drive with him which is a little frustrating but I hope he gets use to it. The doggy seat thing works perfectly with the mini and keeps him safely in place. We'll get him use to it yet.
-all this talk about grills, I hope wrapping the grill with vinyl doesnt hut the air flow :0
He whines when we drive with him which is a little frustrating but I hope he gets use to it. The doggy seat thing works perfectly with the mini and keeps him safely in place. We'll get him use to it yet.
-all this talk about grills, I hope wrapping the grill with vinyl doesnt hut the air flow :0
He does look a bit scared, but he will get used to it and learn to love it. Maybe put his favorite toy in with him. You are a good Mom for making sure he has a safe place to ride while in your MINI!!
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Drum Roll....PLEASE!!
Ok, well I won't have pics. 'til tomorrow or Sunday, Molly got her Windows Tinted Today AND she L@@KS Fantabulous!!
We are celebrating a multitude of things Today...My Birthday, our 2nd Ordering Anniversary and...it's Sunny here,
I Special Ordered the Sunshine!!
We are celebrating a multitude of things Today...My Birthday, our 2nd Ordering Anniversary and...it's Sunny here,
I Special Ordered the Sunshine!!
Last edited by RJKimbell; Feb 19, 2010 at 04:47 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: western NY
Oh my! I've missed some updates!
atori, love the pics! Lubos looks 'adjusting'. I hope he gets the hang of things soon. We're having a little of the same trouble with Carmen. Since we got a mini dog intentionally so she'd fit nicely in Ted's MINI, I'm hoping that she adjusts soon.
RJ, I'm almost drooling (ALMOST) to see Molly's new sunglasses! Please be sure to post all the stats along with the pics. Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
atori, love the pics! Lubos looks 'adjusting'. I hope he gets the hang of things soon. We're having a little of the same trouble with Carmen. Since we got a mini dog intentionally so she'd fit nicely in Ted's MINI, I'm hoping that she adjusts soon.
RJ, I'm almost drooling (ALMOST) to see Molly's new sunglasses! Please be sure to post all the stats along with the pics. Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
Yeah I wanted a body color roof but it was too late to order, and too late to alter next week's orders. So they searched based on my specs and found one sitting at the dock waiting to get on the boat!
I will miss my R50. But onward we go.
I will miss my R50. But onward we go.
Congrats, btw.
They are no longer taking orders for O2B. They will search based on what's coming out of production but this coming week is the last production week for O2B. I was told it was too late to order (this was last weekend), and that it was too late to change any pending production order to O2B.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Oh my! I've missed some updates!
atori, love the pics! Lubos looks 'adjusting'. I hope he gets the hang of things soon. We're having a little of the same trouble with Carmen. Since we got a mini dog intentionally so she'd fit nicely in Ted's MINI, I'm hoping that she adjusts soon.
RJ, I'm almost drooling (ALMOST) to see Molly's new sunglasses! Please be sure to post all the stats along with the pics. Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
atori, love the pics! Lubos looks 'adjusting'. I hope he gets the hang of things soon. We're having a little of the same trouble with Carmen. Since we got a mini dog intentionally so she'd fit nicely in Ted's MINI, I'm hoping that she adjusts soon.
RJ, I'm almost drooling (ALMOST) to see Molly's new sunglasses! Please be sure to post all the stats along with the pics. Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
Pics. of Molly will have to wait until next weekend, if our weather holds out and showers aren't in the forecast.
Thank you for the Birthday Wishes, I was to sick to even go to Dinner to celebrate.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
OMG...It's like Driving in Stealth Mode
Ok, so yesterday was the 1st Day I've driven Molly, except home from the Installer, I've been sick and have not been out of my house except for a Dr. Appt. on Monday, worked 1/2 Day yesterday.
It is SO C@@L!! I hope to have pics. on Sunday, but bear with me, I'm fighting an awful Head Cold and don't want to be out in the elements if I don't have to be.
It is SO C@@L!! I hope to have pics. on Sunday, but bear with me, I'm fighting an awful Head Cold and don't want to be out in the elements if I don't have to be.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: western NY
Awesome! Congratulations--just to have it in the US has to be a good feeling!
RJ, you feel better soon! Do you need me to run some chicken soup out to you? (It'd be a good little trip in the MINI...)
RJ, you feel better soon! Do you need me to run some chicken soup out to you? (It'd be a good little trip in the MINI...)
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
I'm tellin' ya', if you can get it done for less than what I paid, you don't need to wait for pics. from Moi!!
Last edited by RJKimbell; Mar 1, 2010 at 09:11 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
MLP Tint Shops won't do what's Illegal at least the one I used wouldn't, here's where I got my information on legallity...
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/WA/
The Color was called Smoke. Not Black, but in between the Lighter and Darker Tints the Shop had and Llumar was the Brand Name.
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/WA/
The Color was called Smoke. Not Black, but in between the Lighter and Darker Tints the Shop had and Llumar was the Brand Name.
Last edited by RJKimbell; Mar 1, 2010 at 09:13 AM.
Oh, Molly looks gorgeous! Lovin' that new tint job. 
I've debated tinting my Basil.... still unsure though!
Speaking of Basil, he had two more hiccups since I last visited (Sorry... busy...). Oyyy. I was very upset when two weeks after I got him repaired he threw another engine code, and then a week later his driver's side window wouldn't roll up.
We fixed the engine code issue by putting him into neutral and revving to 5k a few times.
Went to Cinci on Tuesday to have his windows reprogrammed. He works just like brand new again! Loving my baby so much, even if he's being a pain in the butt...
Hope you guys are doing well, will try to come around more often! (Darn school...!)
Edit: Oh, and happy birthday, RJ... and welcome to the club MLPearson!
I've debated tinting my Basil.... still unsure though!Speaking of Basil, he had two more hiccups since I last visited (Sorry... busy...). Oyyy. I was very upset when two weeks after I got him repaired he threw another engine code, and then a week later his driver's side window wouldn't roll up.
We fixed the engine code issue by putting him into neutral and revving to 5k a few times.
Went to Cinci on Tuesday to have his windows reprogrammed. He works just like brand new again! Loving my baby so much, even if he's being a pain in the butt...
Hope you guys are doing well, will try to come around more often! (Darn school...!)
Edit: Oh, and happy birthday, RJ... and welcome to the club MLPearson!
Last edited by Agent.COOPER; Mar 1, 2010 at 12:44 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Oh, Molly looks gorgeous! Lovin' that new tint job. I've debated tinting my Basil.... still unsure though!
Speaking of Basil, he had two more hiccups since I last visited (Sorry... busy...). Oyyy. I was very upset when two weeks after I got him repaired he threw another engine code, and then a week later his driver's side window wouldn't roll up.
We fixed the engine code issue by putting him into neutral and revving to 5k a few times.
Went to Cinci on Tuesday to have his windows reprogrammed. He works just like brand new again! Loving my baby so much, even if he's being a pain in the butt...
Hope you guys are doing well, will try to come around more often! (Darn school...!)
Edit: Oh, and happy birthday, RJ... and welcome to the club MLPearson!
I've debated tinting my Basil.... still unsure though!Speaking of Basil, he had two more hiccups since I last visited (Sorry... busy...). Oyyy. I was very upset when two weeks after I got him repaired he threw another engine code, and then a week later his driver's side window wouldn't roll up.
We fixed the engine code issue by putting him into neutral and revving to 5k a few times.
Went to Cinci on Tuesday to have his windows reprogrammed. He works just like brand new again! Loving my baby so much, even if he's being a pain in the butt...
Hope you guys are doing well, will try to come around more often! (Darn school...!)
Edit: Oh, and happy birthday, RJ... and welcome to the club MLPearson!
Sorry to hear about Basil's upset Tummy...maybe he's telling you...He needs his Windows Tinted to make him feel better!!
Thank you for the Birthday Wishes too!!