So I let my good friend use my MINI after we went out and had a few drinks. He was sober, hence he drove. The car had four passengers in it and I actually sat in the back for the first time. None the less, he tried to put the car in reverse and could not get it in gear. So the car rolled a little forward in the sloped parking lot and the grill hit one of the concrete slabs. The front plastic spoiler is fine, a few scuffs but otherwise fine. In addition, the grill is pushed in a little on the right side. It’s not damaged but needs to be put back in the clips so it looks fine.

What I’m wondering is how to get access to it. Do I have to take off the whole front bumper via the front hidden square on the bumper or can I unclip the front spoiler with the clips that are located underneath it. IF any of you have any experience taking it off that would be great. Thank goodness the damage is minimal. I will post pics when I get home. I did take me a week before I even noticed it so it’s not that noticeable. I would prefer not taking it to the dealer because I have some other stuff for them to look at and don’t want them to think that I’m careless with it because I take really good care of it.

If I were to take off the front bumper. What tools would I need?

 

Here is the damage. My camera also fell in the lake, hence the strange colors.

Thanks.

 

These are the best instructions I have used. It is for an intercooler install but you have to remove the front bumper. It is a PITA.

http://www.forgemotorsport.com/media/FMINTR56v2.pdf

I have an 2008 MCS and there seemed to be a plastic clip holding the black plastic fender pieces which are not in the instructions...

 

Thanks for the info. I was beggening to think that this forum was only to discuss colors and ordering options.

How long did it take you to take the front bumper off. Accourding to the JCW Aero package, they mention that it's about 45 min to take it on and off.

I will probably to this with a friend and buy him a case of beer instead of forking out $200 +. Cheers!

 

Maybe your friend who rolled it into the concrete should help and bring you a case of beer
- kidding, good on you for having a DD, worth the couple hours of labour.

 

No doubt. I will have to explain this to him. Unfortunately, he lives about 3-4 hours away so that will not happen. I might have to replace the lower front spoiler on one side. I beleive that they are actually 2 seperate pieces, one for the left and the other for the right. It's slightly scuffed, could be sanded down a little. The car is a lease and I'm not sure if I will keep it after the lease runs out.

Just unfortunate that I did not notice right away. Some explaining will be required. cheers.

 

I can't see too well on that pic but could you feed a wire tie in the a few of the hexagons in the grill and carefully pull it to snap it back into place?

KEY WORD - carefully.

 

If you loosen up the liner in the driver front wheel well you will be able to stick your arm in there and snap the grill back on without removing the whole from bumper skin. Very easy to do and takes only a couple minutes.

 

How do you loosen up the liner in the drivers well? Are they screws or tabs?

Thanks, that makes my life a lot easier.

 

There are two nuts and the rest are plastic Phillips screws into speed nut style holders. So when you loosen the plastic screws, the screw and the nut will pop out together. The two nuts are studs welded to the car. The liner comes real easy with the wheel off and takes a minutes to remove and re-install.

 

Just follow the instructions to the point where you pull away the inner liner. Skip the steps for bumper removal. The pics should help you..

For me, the whole front bumper take down took about one and half hours including the install of the IC.

Never tried to adjust the lower grill so I cannot really help there.