[TigerVols07]

I'm days away from ordering my third new-generation MCS but I'm really bothered by the fake hood scoop -- seems to me nonworking scoops belong on Mustangs and Camaros, not Minis.

Does anyone have advice about swapping out hoods (bonnets!) with a base model Mini? Costs are perhaps what I'm most interested to know.

Also, where might I find some different grilles to replace the standard ones that are a little too plasticky for my taste?

Thanks and happy motoring!

[Paul]

Considering it's not "fake" you're worrying over nothing.

[AMT]

yes the mesh is open to aid engine cooling - so not fake!

[zyo]

I have seen people commenting how much heat the turbo generates so surely any possible way of getting more air into the engine bay can only be a good thing.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

A few small holes in the blanking plate seems to have convinced everyone that it has a purpose then It's probably worth remembering that on a watercooled engine (even the turbo is watercooled) the science is based around aiding the flow of air to and particularly away from the radiator afterwards; it's not about drilling random holes in the bonnet and hoping for the best!

With the greatest respect, if it makes people feel more comfortable that the original fake scoop now suddenly has a purpose after all, then it's fulfilling it's purpose brilliantly. It's just a shame that, if it's doing anything at all, it's potentially letting driving rain into the engine bay around the HT leads and associated ignition systems

Note to TigerVols07: If you fancy going ahead and changing it back, give it a go! I don't know if the turbo engine needs more space than the standard Cooper unit, but remember that we have a diesel version in Europe that has no scoop, but has more of a bulge to give a little more underbonnet space; if the standard Cooper bonnet doesn't fit, the diesel bonnet might Just don't expect to buy one from stock!

[Paul]

If you've ever felt the heat on the turbo MINIs bonnet, I don't think you'd want to get rid of any possible or manufacturer installed cooling aids, no matter how sceptical you are of their benefit.

I would seriously advise against swapping the bonnets.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Could the extra heat on the S's bonnet be explained by the absense of underbonnet insulation on the current car?

[Paul]

Did you see the shots of the changes? It certainly shrank during very early stages at the start of production.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Did you see the shots of the changes? It certainly shrank during very early stages at the start of production.

Sorry Paul, please could you explain?

[Paul]

Press car, produced just before the start of full scale production:




Production car:



I believe the given reason was to "improve the sound as some said it was too quiet".

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Thanks for the pictures.

No I had never seen a photo of the R56 MCS with sound insulation; I can see why they might have made the change for a little more noise.

The original question is still valid though, do you think that the lack of insulation may be making the bonnet so hot? Also, has anyone from BMW officially given a reason for the mysterious new holes?

[caesar]

The position of the Turbocharger at the front of the engine near the air scoop is logical. The turbo is driven by the exhaust gasses, therefore it gets very hot.

The scoop is not fake, it's function is to aid cooling of the turbo. The number of open slots is purposely limited to avoid entry of anything that could cause damage.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

The turbo runs at extremely high temperatures and is water cooled, with the heat transferred to the radiator. I know that people feel these small holes must be to cool the turbo, but please could someone provide some hard evidence from BMW to support the idea that they are an integral part of the cooling design?

[DerekH]

Bmw must think it's important as early cars had solid scoop then changed soon after to perferated, but still need more cooling as bonnet likely to melt, even on small local run i would not think you could hold your hand on the bonnet for long not that i'm about to try.

[jef the ref]

No holes in my scoop, I have a very early one. Ex dealer demo.

Should I be worried?

[caesar]

jef the ref........your question has been asked a number of times in other threads.

Got my MCS 10 days ago and 16 of the plastic slots are open. If you are not getting any problems then I would not worry. But it would do harm to ask your dealer for advice.

Even with 16 open slots, the area of the bonnet near the turbo still gets very hot. I should imagine that the dealer would be able to obtain a perforated scoop. The plastic is very hard and would be difficult to open up yourself.

[steve11]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

The turbo runs at extremely high temperatures and is water cooled, with the heat transferred to the radiator. I know that people feel these small holes must be to cool the turbo, but please could someone provide some hard evidence from BMW to support the idea that they are an integral part of the cooling design?

You are completely correct IMO. The scoop in the r56 is simply cosmetic. If you think the holes that are NOW fitted are for turbo cooling you do not understand turbo's.
If the scoop was simply to remove heat from the engine compartment it would not be facing forward, that's just common sense. Have a look at the underside of an EVO hood if you want to see how that is done.
Sorry to shatter your dreams guys but it is purely a styling follow on from the r53.

[caesar]

You are probably correct that it is cosmetic, but it does enhance the appearance and distinguishes it from a Mini or Cooper. I would rather have it than not!

[Mini Me GB]

Would BMW put holes in the scoop purely for cosmetic reasons? I think it did that job without the need for holes and the difference isn't noticeable until you get very close to the car.

There must be some logical behind the change. I've got a February build which has no holes, I'm considering changing the scoop mesh for one with holes. Although saying that I drove some of the most demanding roads in Europe for several days a few weeks ago and the turbo got hot but not hot enough to worry about. Oh and I loved every second of it

[Lordy]

mine is a nov 06 build and is solid, newer ones have holes in them , i have ordered a new grill to replace mine, but it came solid, they must have a stock pile of them to get rid of, i did not want it for the heat purpose, i wanted to put somethink behind the grill to see through it, so do you know anybody who has a vente grill for me to buy or swap ?