So since MINI did not introduce yet the rear headlight trim for Paceman, I decided to do the vinyl wrap DIY...

My question: did anybody remove these yet? Any "tricks"? Any special attention parts? All help appreciated

 

I've done it in black (front & back).
It's very easy to remove.
The front grill was the hardest part.

Greetings from Germany.
Martin

 

So how do you get at the clips to pop the rears off

 

Im not 100% sure but if it's like my Countryman, there are 2 grates in the boot, one on each side. Just pop those out and you will be able to look in and see the lights and their nuts and bolts. The countryman has 6 bolts but I was able to only loosen 4 up and then you are able to pop the taillight right out. Again not 100% sure on the boot setup of the Paceman

 

Grill and front rings were a breeze. The back rings not do much. I just did them in place which was fine and they look just as good. Would still be nice to know if they pop off like the gen2 cars though.

 

Tips for the back tail light ring removal?

 

After you remove the complete tail light you must clip out a black plastic cover.
Take a look at the picture in the link (No. 5):
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...24&hg=63&fg=20

That's the biggest problem. After that you can easily remove the ring.

 

Ahh ok thank you. I was hoping the whole light assembly didn't have to be removed. Oh well. I just painted mine in place and it worked out fine. Shame MINI had to make this so labor intensive...just to remove a couple rings.

 

I COULD SEE THE LIGHT!...

Make that, "I could remove the rings"...
I did find out how to elegantly remove rear chrome rings. Here is the run down (for a left side):

1) unscrew two black screws on the (right) side between the light housing and rubber boot seal.
2) remove mesh pocket wire inside the boot on the (left) side (just as owners manual points out!).
3) remove the "wall" cap behind the mesh pocket by gently squizing and pulling and tugging (no need for screw driver violence,).
4) once opened, have a flash light handy and look for WHITE PLASTIC "****" (sort of a funny shape with "half ears"), see attached photo showing "hidden" side.
5) when located, turn it one direction possible (it's easy) to have the "ears" go freely pass metal wall of the car).
6) now tricky part: there is another WHITE PLASTIC "****" of the same kind on the higher point of the light housing inside, not visible by human eye in no possible position. So, you have to go by touch and find it in the deep poscket of your car's belly... Once you find it with your fingers, turn it kinda half way (same as the first one). Done!
7) grab the entire light housing from the outside and gently "wiggle" it until its OUT. DO NOT PULL TO FAR FROM THE CAR!
8) unhook wire harness (one black plug) for all bulbs. LIGHT HOUSING IS FREE NOW!


One observation: chrome rings are connected to the light housing by screws (!). So, no prying them off like older or different light rings on older MINIs. These have to be removed properly by unscrewing all screws along the inner edge. It is pretty simple once you turn the light housing on it's "belly".
I did not do full removal as I still don't have my matte vinyl handy. Once I do, I will do the DIY all the way.

I hope this helps everyone who is considering wrapping or painting the "horrid" rings...

 

Thanks for your run down.

That's right. There are no clips to remove. You must unscrewing the screws.
But you can only remove two of the screws after you remove one plastic wall.
This fluted plastic thing is on the far left side of you photo.
It is fixed with clips.

 

DIY project completed!

Got my Matte 3M vinyl today, and could not wait...

Rear lights removed, and taken apart to the point that chrome trim was on its own....

What a crappy design! Oh mine!

Never saw a light box assembly so screwed up to be taken apart. That plastic wall Martin was referring to is jammed by friction in its place and all parts are non elastic plastic so it is really nerve racking forcing it apart. There is no way explaining it in words. You just have to look at all the edges and groves and go by logic. Still, it is crazy scary...

Once you release one edge, all goes easier. Still, it is plastic and you have to be careful... That plastic curbed wall has no screws, only groves and pins. Good luck!

Once the wall is loose, you can unscrew ALL screws that hold the chrome ring. Again, you will not be able to do at least 2 screws if you don't remove curbed plastic wall...

Wrapping part was another hell raising part. The chrome ring is so curbed on many levels. It takes a lot of patience to do it neat. Lot of pulling and tugging. Finally, I succseeded ...

Then putting it all together. A bit easier, but still scary because of that damn plastic...

All together, very happy with result. But if I never have to take those rings off again, I would be very satisfied...

 

Good to hear that you have finished this project.

It's very funny to see this low quality in a high priced car. The chrome rings are very cheap.

 

This was most helpful! I plan on doing a vinyl black wrap this weekend on the wife's Paceman!! Thanks Again!!

Bruce