When I was thinking of dark grey, I was fine with the painted grille but now that I settled on red I really think I would prefer the chrome grille. I have done a search and read a bit and have spoken to me dealer. They can do it-$270 installed upper and lower. Is this reasonable? I'm not that suto handy so don't want to tackle myself? Anyone else feel it is worth the cost or am I just obsessing?

 

Can't give you any info costwise (except to say that $270 seems awfully high - the install can't possibly be more than a few minutes), but I definitely support your decision to do it. With the red in particular, I don't like the body color grille of the MCS nearly as much as the chrome.
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would anyone here happen to know how much the 2 pieces are and possibly their part numbers...????

thanks,

amir

 

DO IT YOURSELF IF YOU ARE EVEN SLIGHTLY HANDY!

Top Grill unsnaps, just takes some patience.
Lower grill requires you to take the bumper off. It is not as big of a deal as it sounds. Just taking off some screws and bolts. This grill is foam-taped on and requires some effort to get it off and some adhesive remover to clean up where you are going to put the chrome part. It took me 2 hrs, but only because I don't have any ratchet sets that were sized correctly.

I bought mine from Classic Mini in Mentor, OH.

$57.80 for the upper grill.
$19.40 for the lower grill.

I don't have the part numbers handy...but that is much, much better than $270!

I added it to my Electric Blue and it looks much better.

 

Part numbers I was given are

51137122473
51117032900

From what I have read, replacing the top part is simple and quick but replacing the bottom requires removing the bumper and takes a while.
I will also check with the other dealer in town and see what they quote.

 

I don't live near Mentor so I ordered mine and they sent them out right away. They usually sell for much less than other dealers.

Ask for Brian in the parts dept.

 

Here's a quick shot.. as i just ran outside and snapped it
It's chrome slats ...overlaid on the painted slats.
$20+ dollars on e-bay.
OK quality......disposable as see it.


Peace,
D


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I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

How does that work-you put them on over your painted slats? Did you do that?

 

>>How does that work-you put them on over your painted slats? Did you do that?

Yes....they go over the existing painted slats
They have double sided tape pre-applied to each piece.
They say they are pre-cut.....but mine were not.
They are a pain to cut.

Peace,
D

 

Looks pretty good. How long did it take you to install? Any negative effect on the painted grille from the tape?

 

Looks pretty good. How long did it take you to install? Any negative effect on the painted grille from the tape?

 

And where on Ebay-and from what source?
Thanks!

 

>>And where on Ebay-and from what source?
>>Thanks!

just search....
cars....parts....mini cooper...
and you 'll see tons of hits for em
here's one :smile:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33645

>>Looks pretty good. How long did it take you to install? Any negative effect on the painted grille from the tape? >>

bout and hour to cut em...as close as I could
no neg effects from the tape



Peace,
D


_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

$270 does seem high. My dealer charged $170 so I went ahead and had them do it. I was back and forth though but figured I would rather them take the bumper off the brand new car and I would at least wait a month or 2 before tearing things apart in the driveway, plus I got to see the shiny chrome when I picked it up.