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Sanderskog View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Aero Grill Install
    Posted: October/14/07 at 11:51pm

I'll post a thread in the How-To thread when it's closer to time for the install.

After a quick search it looks like Yakimini has done the install.  Anyone else have experience?  I'm read through a number of threads on NAM and am looking for insight/experience (heck a helping hand when the time comes is nice too ).

Anyone else have interest in tackling this?

Todd

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/15/07 at 1:21am
I'm curious to see/hear how you do w/ the lower Grill. My buddy had me do it one way and I wasn't happy with the results (ie. we CUT the bumper and then used Epoxy and the Epoxy didn't hold so it did a droopy number on me :-( It didn't droop to bad, but enough that I did not like it one bit!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/15/07 at 2:41am
Wildfamily (Martin) did a post a while back on a M7 grill install he did - complete with pictures.   http://www.psmini.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2355&KW= wildfamily
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/15/07 at 6:39am

Now I really need to take another look at his car.  When is the next get together

LOL, I never noticed the bonnet stripes until now (see my other thread).  I'm thinking of going the same route.

So Martin, it really is a form of flattery .

Todd

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/15/07 at 6:51am
OK, I spoke too soon.  I looked at the M7 grill and love it however I think my wife would find the price of the aero grill a bit more

palatable.

 

Love the look though.

 

Todd

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/15/07 at 7:47am

Yes..it's a little pricey, but well made. All metal and powdercoated nicely. Install was not too tough, but you don't want to use M7 instructions...not enough detail.

Oh, and the viper stripes...cool look. Had those put on down in Vegas last year by Asthetic Creations (my wife wasn't too happy that I pulled off the factory stripes 4 months after purchasing). Oh well...I wanted someting more unique. :)

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/17/07 at 1:20am

Hey...take a look. New M7 grill now available for R56 models....

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t =116995

 



Edited by Wildfamily - October/20/07 at 12:10pm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/20/07 at 9:17am

Any recommendations on where to purchase an Aero Grill?

Todd

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/07 at 7:34am

I attempted the grill install today.  Upper went in just fine minus the "bolts from hell", where did they come up with that design.

The lower was another story.  I still have to get all the double back tape off (suggestions?) and am NOT happy with my cutting on the grill.  Sad to say, I'll be ordering another one. 

Lesson learned... I only measure three times.

Todd

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/07 at 12:31pm

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the grill install.

Let me know if you need a hand with anything - I'd be happy to come over and help out if need be.

Happy Motoring!



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/07 at 1:24pm
Tell us all about the Lower Grill........
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/07 at 11:12pm

Originally posted by YakiMini YakiMini wrote:

Tell us all about the Lower Grill........

I attempted the install without the bumper removal following one set of direction on NAM.  It's a combination of the directions being poor and me cutting the grill a little more than I should have which creates a gap along the top.  For $33 it's worth buying another and doing it right.  Last night I found a different set of directions and I really like how this guy did it so I'm going to start from scratch and remove the bumnper this time.

Todd

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/07 at 12:39am

We want pics! We want pics!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/07 at 6:09am

Here are pictures as I went through the process.  Excuse the filthy car.  As you can see, it was clean last weekend when I snapped the picture of being half way through.

BEFORE

LAST WEEKEND - Upper grill on, lower stock grill still in place

TODAY - I scrubbed the double back tape off where the upper piece used to sit on the bumper (missing now).

TODAY - Testing to see how it will look once complete.  The lower is just barely sitting there in this picture.  I plan to order a new lower next week (Outmotoring was closed this week).  I cut this one too tight and it created a gap.  I also decided I'm going to remove the bumper cover to do the install right.  I plan to leave all the tabs on the AERO grill (some say cut, some don't) and drill/cut into the stock bumper to create slots for the tabs.  I'll then use screws or cotter pins to keep the grill tight by drilling a small hole in the tab once through the bumper and ensuring it's snug.  I saw one guy do this on NAM and it looked th best overall.

I will also likely paint behind the lower flat black or use the 3M tape to black it out so the blue doesn't stand out through the grill so much.

As I said... filthy car.  One thing to make note of is the lack of egg yolk in the parking lights/blinkers.  I replace the bulbs today so there is no longer the orange tint to them.

I need to figure out how to fill the screws from the original license plate bracket.  I want to ensure they're flush before the new viper stripes arrive since they'll cover where the holes once were .

And last but not least, a close up of one of the worst designed pieces I have yet to see on the MINI.

A horrid design.  These are the "nuts" that are used to attach the upper grill to the bonnet.  They "thread" up a plastic post which isn't threaded.  To remove them you have to get a flat screw driver under the washer and pry it down as you unscrew it. 

I hope to finish this little project next weekend if I get the grill in town.

Todd

 



Edited by Sanderskog - November/23/07 at 6:38am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/07 at 8:50am

Todd since your not going to paint the holes you could ruff up the counter bore and either fill with epoxy glue or place a flat head screw in their to level it off so your strips don't have a bubble.

John

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/07 at 8:53am

BTW , Sorry it is looking good.

John

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/26/07 at 9:59am

I so lucked out.  The guy i bought the NUff Mini from refused to put a front plate on.. so no holes here :)

 

Doc

 

 

 

 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/07 at 11:31am
Done!!!  WooHoo
 
An upset MINI missing its nose.
 
 
The bumper cover being prepped for the drilling and filing needed to mount the lower grill.
 
 
An example of the slots that were cut into the cover to mount the aero grill (top left).  The scrap that you see on the bottom left is what came out of the hole.  I also used black beltline tape to blackout behind the aero grill.  Some recommend painting but I opted to go this route.
 
 
Once the aero grill was installed I wanted it to sit a bit more flush so I drilled a small hole on the backside of the mounting tabs after putting pressure on the front side and then used a screw to set it to the depth I wanted.
 
 
Picture of the final product
 
 
And a before picture to compare.
 
 
Todd


Edited by Sanderskog - December/28/07 at 11:34am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/07 at 12:37pm
Wow - that looks REALLY great.  The stripes are awesome!

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/07 at 1:05pm

Looks great! Me next?

LOL

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/08 at 6:57am

I took advantage of the sun yesterday and cleaned the car up and snapped pictures.  I'd say these do the job a little better justice than the one taken in the garage.

Todd



Edited by Sanderskog - January/01/08 at 6:58am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/08 at 7:17am
OK - I'm going for the silver stripes.  That is a way cool look.  I think I will go over the roof and down the back, though.  Did you put them on or did you have someone install them for you?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/08 at 7:36am

I did them myself and can tell you it is not an easy thing to do.  I have actually contacted Aesthetic Creations about ordering a bit more as I want to redo the rear bumper.  I had one quote for getting them done and it was over $300 so I opted to tackle it I first.  There are some wrinkles in the rear bumper and small bubbles here and there but I am told the bubbles go away with time/sun.  I would think this style is much more difficult than your typical bonnet stripe since it runs a straight line down a curved surface.  There really is no way to make some areas perfect (like the rear bumper due to the curve).  I love the look though and can’t wait to put my summer wheels back on to see what it looks like.  I too am contemplating the roof still.

 

Todd

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/08 at 9:58am

The stripes are very sharp looking ... like them much better than the "before".  Grilles look great too!

From stickler for details.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/08 at 1:47pm
Did you take off the rear Mini badge (the one over the license plate)?  Or just cut around it.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/08 at 10:24pm

I had to take off both the front and rear badges to do the install.  A heat gun on low and dental floss does the trick.

Todd
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/08 at 1:09pm
Todd...the stripes look awesome. Makes both the front and back look very aggressive. Love it!
Happy Motoring!



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