i am highly interested in purchasing a body kit for my R53; but i don't really know whats out there. i have seen a few and i didn't really like it so i was hoping for some help.
Well, if you're entertaining the JCW aero kit (not sure if you are) throwing an M7 front splitter on there does wonders for an aggressive look. Ducks, a MOTM winner has an R56 that has the JCW aero + M7 splitter. It's quite sweet. Here's another MOTM winnner with the Ocari/Orciari (I never know how to spell) it. Denise's Diablita The last one I've seen is by Duell, which is a Japanese company. I believe they make the kit for both the R53 and R56, although I heard it's pretty pricey to get. I included multiple photos below because this kit is a bit harder to find various shots of. Hope that helped!
ZeeMax has a variety of body kits available for the MINI as well. Many images can be found at Zeemax BMW Mini
Tons of companies make bodykits for the MINI. It just seems that no US vendors are willing to develop them, so most will have to be imported unfortunately. (I'm probably forgetting a ton of them, but this is off the top of my head ) Hamann AC Schnitzer Lumma Tuning Duell Garbino Beans Prior Design Xenon GP Replica kit by Athletic IBherdesign Konigseder MS Design Bond MINI NKB Power GUT-Sport
Just keep one thing in the back of your mind. You get what you pay for. I have installed and painted more kits than I can honestly remember. The sad part is, even some of the most expensive body kits you can buy, will need some modification for a proper fit. I also think it's safe to say, they should all be looked at by a professional before hand. Just to be sure about how much extra prep work will be involved prior to painting. I have seen kits range from $1K to as high as $15K (that one was on the Speed Channel) and they all needed to be reworked to some degree to be acceptable for paint. Good luck with your search. And post pictures when it's all done.
ran across Prior Design doing some other searches and thought I'd share Mini Cooper-S Product Model Fitment List Price Article: MICOPSSPRIORDESIGN Mini Cooper side skirts Prior-Design $599 Article: MICOPHSTPRIORDESIGN Mini Cooper rear bumper Prior-Design $799 Article: MICOPFSTPRIORDESIGN Mini Cooper front bumper Prior-Design $799 Article: MICOESDPRIOR Mini Cooper performance exhaust system (double) $1299 Prior-Design Aero & Exterior Products