If you have an ’03 or earlier MINI, you probably have the same vent grilles as GBMINI, with a foam/gauze piece which collects and clings to dirt, insects and everything else that hits it.
Ever since I saw that the ’04 MINIs had an improved vent grille, I have planned to replace mine – but for a long time buying the vent grille meant buying the old part and not the new part.
But finally I have the new vent grilles installed on GBMINI – and they are massively better looking (old on left, new on right):
This is a low cost mod and gives a good looking result; the parts cost me less than $25 at MINI Peabody (including MA tax). The part numbers you need are: 51-13-7-122-505 and 51-13-7-122-506. Make sure you are getting the new design!
M&I / GBMINI 
Ian,
I heard that Mini owners can get this replaced under warrenty if their screening is falling apart – as is mine. Did you check into this?
I am sure that would be correct – I think Scott mentioned that to me; but my old ones were perfectly serviceable, just ugly!
Anyway, $25 is a small price to pay to make GBMINI better 😉
Are we positive that those grille vents are ’04? I have a June ’03 build, and my MCS has the “updated” grille vents…no foam!
Steven
I was being a little lazy about the cut-in date and did not bother to try and find an EXACT date. You can see on this MINI2 discussion that “next year” features slip in early sometimes …
Gary replaced mine for zip, zero, nada.
I’m suprised they charged you with your car
still under warranty.