MINI Grill Trim Swap

[@bartfeenstra5706]

Fantastic video!! Just installed my new black grill swap within 45 min with this video. Thanks

[@TheMINIVlog]

Niiiiiiiiice! How's it look?

[@bartfeenstra5706]

The MINI Vlog fantastic a full dechrome Also with help from your other video

[@TheMINIVlog]

Love it!

[@justchilling9442]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Just what I needed. Good close up shots too.

[@johndej]

I like the wrap! Nice touch. A while back, I hit a coyote and busted up some grill parts. Rather than pay a body shop a huge amount of money, I manage to replace all the parts for much less. Removing the bumper/grill was quite an adventure, but glad that I did it myself.

[@TheMINIVlog]

Nice work! It went faster than I thought it would and it's totally doable by anyone at home with a few hours. Glad to hear you got yours back in working order!

[@c3MINI]

It's just what I needed. The wait was long. Thank you.

[@TheMINIVlog]

Sorry it was a long wait! I wanted to do it months ago too. Hope it helps you out!

[@c3MINI]

The MINI Vlog It will help me a lot. Really, thanks.

[@crospotter13]

Hey man is it possible to put the JCW grill (so the black part that you installed and the black part which connects to that) on a regular Cooper? So just the JCW grill on the regular Cooper bumper...?

[@TheMINIVlog]

That's a really good question. I honestly don't know if its the same shape. I imagine it would be but I can't say for sure....

[@crospotter13]

@@TheMINIVlog thanks for the reply, will try to see at dealership. Also I have another question for you as you know a lot about changing parts on Mini: do you know if it's possible to change the boot handle without removing all the plastic from inside of the trunk? This is the part that I want to change, I have chrome one and would love to get the black one: www.outmotoring.com/boot-handle-replacment-gloss-black-f55-6-7.html But my dealership claims that they need to remove all from inside and I don't want that as the car is new...Any info on that?

[@jherizinn9776]

I followed your video to do my grill surround swap. Only problem I ran into was the temperature sensor pulls out of its housing support. Might want to add a step to reach under and disconnect the electrical connection before pulling the bumper away from the car to preclude the possibility of breaking the probe or the housing. Other than that it was a great video. And yes 2 people can follow your video and do the job in an hour easy.

[@TheMINIVlog]

Interesting. I didn't have the same issue. I'll go check it out tomorrow and add a correction. Thanks!

[@jherizinn9776]

@@TheMINIVlog At the 5:26 point you'll see the probe dangling as you are setting the bumper down. Then immediately below your right hand at the bottom you'd see the probe housing. Now that you've put the bumper back in place it might be hard to get to with the JCW front splitters. Might have to remove the driver's side splitter support to get you hand in there. Mine did the same thing when it came off, so it might be a fail safe built in to save the probe.

[@FernandoRodriguez-uu6fj]

I saw your video sticking the black grill on top of the chrome one. From the camera it looked really good and it was so easy. I was so happy I was about to buy it. So what was the problem then? Didn t it actually look good? Was it falling apart?

[@TheMINIVlog]

Nothing really wrong with it. I just knew deep down inside it was an imposter and wasn't a real piano black part. This also gave me an opportunity to make another KZbin video so I went for it. If you apply the stick on parts correctly, you really have to get up close to tell so they are a very fine option if you don't want to do a full part replacement. Thanks for checking out the videos! 👍

[@NachoMendezt]

Great!!! Thanks so much... Really cool!!!👍

[@TheMINIVlog]

👍👍

[@Karlos-bh9zk]

Not sure all that time, effort and money was worth it, for something that looks the same? I've just blacked out the Wife's Cooper S with the trim covers, and it looks really good. Nice touch on the brace bars though.

[@TheMINIVlog]

I know it does look exactly the same as I had it before, but I always knew it was a cover and it was not too pricey to purchase and replace and reduce my OCD over it. Brace bars were a pleasant surprise about how good they looked after I was done. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@NM-db7wm]

I don’t get the difference? You had black and you replaced it with black? Sorry if I am missing out something

[@TheMINIVlog]

I just didn't like the chrome with the black cover. It was squishy. It was fairly inexpensive for the piano black part and that gave me another video to shoot!

[@bartfeenstra5706]

Do you know if i have to remove the bumper by the one version? So not the cooper s model but the standard bumper

[@TheMINIVlog]

I don't know. Sorry!

[@martinbrimble5878]

Had the exact same idea about the brace bar wrapping, haven’t done yet but sure looks great 👍🏻

[@TheMINIVlog]

It's a real nice touch. I'm happy with it

[@aarongrisham5555]

Just use a high temp paint and clear coat. Much better and more professional

[@habibmasmoudi2033]

Sort of off topic but do you know if the red lights at the bottom of the rear bumper are just reflectors or are we able to put a bulb in it? I have a 2019 JCW and I’ve seen what I believe to be euro JCW’s with those 2 rear tails lit when braking. Also on my BimmerCode app there’s a module for rear fog lights....wondering if that’s what there for??

[@TheMINIVlog]

That's what they are there for in Europe and supposedly the US versions already have bulbs in there. I have not explored and confirmed that yet. I've seen that setting in the app too. I'll explore it next week and let you know if you haven't done so by then.

[@mannyfnsc29]

Hey, so do did the cover on the grill surround stay in place until you removed it?.. did you have any issues at all with that piece? If not, I may just buy it from Outmotoring and save myself the trouble of removing the chrome one. At least for now. Thanks.

[@TheMINIVlog]

It stayed in place but was squishy like all the sticky tape covers and was also not an easy application to get flush all the way around so one corner of it stuck out a mm or two more than the rest and I couldn't not see it every time I looked!

[@scottgeelmuyden6210]

Do you have to remove the entire bumper to replace the trim or do think it can be done without removing the entire bumper? Also where did you buy the red vinyl wrap?

[@TheMINIVlog]

I'm pretty sure you can do it without removing the entire bumper. I think you would probably break more clips on the trim that way but if you have no plans to put it back on, probably fine with that. I got the vinyl wrap from Amazon. Just a small sheet of 3M vinyl in the color I wanted.

[@honestreview1043]

Can you remove the bumper plinth (where the number plate would sit) without removing the bumper. My one has faded and it needs replaced.

[@TheMINIVlog]

You can. I've never done it but I have seen pictures of them removed on the internet

[@TheMINIVlog]

Here is the part if that helps! www.outmotoring.com/51117337791-MINI-Cooper-Replacement-Black-bumper-trim-Cover-Front-Plastic-trim-cover-trim.html Or if you have the park distance sensors, you will need this one www.outmotoring.com/cover-front-bumper-pdc-51117379434.html

[@honestreview1043]

Thanks. My car doesn't have the parking sensors. Maybe you just have to push the tabs down and it might come free. 🤔.

[@TheMINIVlog]

It looks like it's just tabs holding it in place from that parts drawing

[@anandjansen8002]

I'm from Holland and the plastic side panels have different click-mechanisms. Its like a plug instead of (at 9:39) a click-system. Do any of you know how to release those. I tried, but can't find a way without breaking them...please help :-D

[@TheMINIVlog]

Hmmmmm I don't know..... Sorry!

[@RFaria7]

Hi, where i can find this tools in blue that you have?! Can you forward the part numbers? Thanks

[@TheMINIVlog]

Do you mean the trim pry tools? - www.amazon.com/Tresalto-Auto-Trim-Removal-Tool/dp/B01L8GHB7O/ref=sr_1_1

[@mikebarnard2689]

Hi, when you popped the wheel arch trims, were they easy to snap back on or did the fastners break and have to be replaced? Noob question but would appreciate a reply Great content. Mike

[@TheMINIVlog]

The wheel arch trim clips did not break. They snap back in easily as well. So I did not have to replace any of them. Might be different if it was colder outside so your mileage may vary but to me, they seemed pretty robust. Thanks for watching!

[@jreckzane]

That black part of the bumper where the plate goes. Do you need to remove the whole bumper to remove that?

[@TheMINIVlog]

Fairly certain that you do. Maybe a mini mechanic knows how to without removing the whole grill but I don't see a way around it.

[@jreckzane]

Great. Thanks

[@bensalami812]

Yes I cracked mine on accident. Remove the entire bumper and save yourself bloody knuckles and broken clips.

[@stewartmcminn7773]

Subbed, enjoying watching your mini transformation videos 👍

[@TheMINIVlog]

Thanks!

[@axman207]

Hey I have a question, where did you get the wrap for the bars?

[@TheMINIVlog]

It's just a sheet of red vinyl from amazon www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N3SZNY0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@lonewolf-aheadofthepac4163]

Nice video!!

[@TheMINIVlog]

Thank you

[@derekwarrener9442]

Great video thanks for the info

[@TheMINIVlog]

Glad it was informative for you!

[@louisallman]

What tools did you need to take it off?

[@TheMINIVlog]

Just a plastic pry tool for the plastic clips and a few torx bits/wrench. Nothing special

[@wafuasy7147]

you now the name of the rubbers on the headlights? i broke one

[@TheMINIVlog]

Do you mean the headlight gasket? They are side specific so you need to get the left or right one depending on what you need. Here is a link to the right side one. www.outmotoring.com/gasket-headlight-right-51767391410.html

[@mickey790624]

That's awesome bro! Do you install Aux Driving light by yourself?

[@TheMINIVlog]

Thanks! I had them installed when I configured/bought the car new so I did not install them myself.

[@mickey790624]

@@TheMINIVlog thanks bro, because I just got mine LED Aux Driving Light from ebay, and ready to install it. 😎

[@TheMINIVlog]

Ah nice! Congrats! I wish I could help here but I'm not experienced in installing these

[@mickey790624]

@@TheMINIVlog No prob!

[@charliecook1669]

Does the trim cover look as good and last as long as it is a lot easier to do ?

[@TheMINIVlog]

Looks totally fine. Fairly easy to do, only difficult part is how large the piece is to handle while installing. With a set of helping hands it would a 5 minute job, easy.

[@jdub_vdub]

Just found your channel, loving it! 👌🏼 👍

[@TheMINIVlog]

Thanks!!

[@SPYCRABFAN]

I did this with mine and for everyone’s info you don’t need to remove the entire front bumper just to replace that grill trim.

[@TheMINIVlog]

That's true, after finding out it was just the grill that needed to be removed, you can definitely do it that way too. Great point!

[@Schwarz98]

How is it done without removing the front bumper ? I want to vinyl wrap mine

[@FishyDrizzy]

Game Reviews Old Skool Gamer I would like to know too!

[@SPYCRABFAN]

Lift the bonnet up, you should see a few torque screws towards the front of the car undo those and the rest of the grill can be Unclipped with no extra screws. As said in the video the clips are very flimsy so take your time. It should come out easily enough just remember to also unclip the grill surround too.

[@daleblount3230]

Hey, sorry for hijacking this comment thread but not sure how else to get ahold of you. Pretty sure you're the dude that we chatted with while you were taking some drone footage at Torrey Ridge. Did you ever post that anywhere?

[@TheMINIVlog]

No worries and yes that's me. How's it going? I haven't posted that video yet. I wont be able to put that up until the first week of August unfortunately. I'll comment back when I do though!

[@dileepborra]

Nice video man! Could you please let me know what equipment you used to jack up the car? Thank you!

[@TheMINIVlog]

Sure I used a low profile 1.5ton floor jack and put the car on two aluminum jack stands. I don't have the links for the specific ones but I can provide an amazon link of a product with the same specs if you want?

[@dileepborra]

@@TheMINIVlog Thank you for your reply. Links would be great!! 😊

[@TheMINIVlog]

Sure! Jack - www.amazon.com/Compact-Aluminum-Racing-Jack-Rapid/dp/B009SX8494/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2LBEQOLQ05FME&keywords=1.5+ton+floor+jack&qid=1566158229&s=gateway&sprefix=1.5+ton+flo%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-5 Jack Stands - www.amazon.com/Light-Weight-Aluminum-Racing-Stands/dp/B006ZBCER0/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1JLGY58B6WENK&keywords=aluminum+jack+stands&qid=1566158277&s=gateway&sprefix=aluminum+jack%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-6

[@dileepborra]

@@TheMINIVlog Thank you very much!

[@samueltorrero1135]

Hi! I know maybe it's the wrong method to ask questions, but would be great if you could help me, or anybody out there. I just got a JCW and noticed that when using Spotify as an app (available when using Android and Mini Connected) I can't skip tracks using the steering wheel buttons. A "Loading..." Message appears on the head up display but nothing happens. I do can skip tracks using the buttons below the screen or the ones in the screen itself. Does anybody has the same issue or a fix to it? Thanks to all!

[@TheMINIVlog]

I don't use spotify so I can't offer much help here. I imagine you already pay for a spotify subscription but can confirm Google Play music does work with switching tracks but that would be assuming you are on an android phone.... good luck in getting it to work!

[@anandjansen8002]

same problem!

[@igonzalez0]

your channel is great... keep up the good work dude...I just subscribed....cheers!!!

[@TheMINIVlog]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@matthudak3485]

I just broke all the clips and ripped it out, wasn’t worth the hassle to save the old one

[@TheMINIVlog]

Yeah once the first clip broke, I was less careful with the rest.. Never putting the chrome back on anyways. It is much faster to just leave the bumper on and rip out the old one.

[@anandjansen8002]

@@TheMINIVlog wouldn't this break the plastic holders in the bumper....so the new grille wouldn't attach as well?????

[@Korhona]

Damn ... I thought you were going to mount a BBQ grill inside ... i'm disappointed :D :D :D :D

[@TheMINIVlog]

Ah you should have given me that idea before I put it back on!