Hey guys, I just received my grille from Mini Mania, and I'm having a little trouble getting it on. I can't seem to get the nuts to unscrew from the factory grille, even though I am applying some pressure behind them to ease them out while I unscrew.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to why they are difficult to come off, or maybe an easier way to take them off.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I had to apply more force than I would have thought necessary behind the nut with a thin screwdriver to get them off. I hope others chime in with something more useful though, since I ended up snapping a couple of them.

 

I'm actually going to be working under the assumption that I will be snapping some of them, but just to be clear, the fasteners look like little nuts with washers with a plastic "bolt" screwed into them right?

So it looks like I will most likely be going to the dealer to pick up some extra fasteners for the inevitable snapping that will occur! lol

 

I just installed the aero grill, upper was pretty easy...Except for those dang nuts...what's up with those??? Anyhow when I put the middle one in after cutting new slots for it, it does not fit flush with the bumper on the outer edges and on the lower part of the bumper as well..will I need to remove it and do more cutting to make it sit flush all the way around? Please help!! Thanks....Jerry

 

Yes you need to cut between 1/4 and 1/2 an inch off all the way around. Theres a pdf with some pretty good instructions floating around here somewhere. I used it when I installed mine but I deleted it from my comp when I finished.

 

Here ya go


http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/MI...ll_install.pdf

 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU....That was great help....Jerry

 

No Problem, the pictures on where to cut the lower grille help sure are helpful.

 

I trimmed off the excess material on the lower grill just like the directions said..It went very well using my Dremel tool.I tried a dry fit and it looks great..Just one more question, It still sticks out a bit on the bottom edge..I was wondering if I should remove the piece that protrudes out from the bumper..It looks like the new grill hits it and is keeping it from laying flat..Thanks for your help...Jerry

 

The piece that protrudes out is what the chrome cover was on when I removed it..Can this be removed?

 

Jerry,
I am having a hard time picturing what you are talking about could you snap a picture.

 

TRuTH, I wish I could send a picture but my camera is ooc..I will try to discribe what I was talking about..My car has the chrome trim and the strip that was attached with double stick tape was the part I was asking about. It was attached to a curved louver thingy and it sticks out a bit. It hits the back of the new aero grill...

 

This is the piece in the lower(smaller grill piece). What I did was cut (dremel tool) this piece off. However if you do this you can see the steel bumper behind it. What I did here was when the plastic bumper was off, I painted the steel bumper with black spray paint (I used high temp BBQ, cause I had some laying around) it looks really good. My wife has the car for the day but if you want a picture I can take one tonight.

Todd

 

when your done post some pics!!

 

 

Hey TRuTH, I removed that piece of plastic and WOW!!!! does that look and fit great. Thank's for your help..I will try and post some photos...Jerry

 

Jerry,
No problem, I really like how it looks without that slate there.
Todd

 

mt