[Professor Peach]

When I ordered my MINI last month, the dealer said that if I wanted a body kit I must go for the John Cooper Works one, not the official factory aero kit as listed on the MINI configurator as it looked awful and the JCW one looked much much better.

Fair advice, and I've heard it said elsewhere so that's what I've done.

However...

I decided to have a look on the configurator and see what this supposed awful factory body kit (aero kit) looked like. So I selected MINI Cooper S, ticked "Aerodynamic bodykit", and the price went on but the picture of the outside of the car (that normally modifies to show your selected options) remained unchanged. Try for yourself, you'll see what I mean.

Somewhat flumoxed by this, I emailed MINI Customer Services. Explaining that I was speccing a car, I asked them if they would send me a photo of a MINI with the official factory "Aerodynamic bodykit". They sent me a photo of an R53 MINI with the bodykit.

I wrote again, explaining that MINI were now doing a new shape car (you'd kinda hope someone would have mentioned it to them), and could they send a photo of this new model with the Aero kit please? They sent back a photo of a R56 with a John Cooper Works body kit instead...

I gave up on them at that point (I think, I might have asked again but either way I've heard no more).

Anyway, browsing this site today I was reading the (very good) summary of the different MINI models, R53, R56 etc. There is a photo of an R53 with the factory bodykit, and praise be, a photo of an R56 with factory bodykit!!! I scrolled down eagerly, anxious to see this mythical beast. Only to be greeted with a photo of an R56 with a JCW bodykit, not a factory one.

So is the factory R56 Aeo bodykit in fact a thing of myth and Folklore? Is it up there with the unicorn and mermaid, forever discussed and never actually seen? Will we see a brief glimpse of one through the mist during a dream scene in the next Harry Potter film, always tantilisingly just out of focus and just out of reach...? Is there a fully factory bodykitted MINI R56 being interogated right now in Area 51? Has Bin Laden got the only one and is holed up in it in a cave in Afganistan?

Or is in fact the R56 factory areokit some sort of military stealth option, like the B-2 Stealth Bomber? Or some sort of superpower like that bloke who can disappear in The League of Extrodinary Gentlemen?

Is it impervious to radar signals and speed cameras? (I'm changing my order if so!)

Whatever, I think we should be told.

The truth is out there people, unlike any real sighting or photograph of the mysterious factory bodykitted MINI.

[Mejy Poo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Professor Peach (original)

So is the factory R56 Aeo bodykit in fact a thing of myth and Folklore? Is it up there with the unicorn and mermaid, forever discussed and never actually seen? Will we see a brief glimpse of one through the mist during a dream scene in the next Harry Potter film, always tantilisingly just out of focus and just out of reach...? Is there a fully factory bodykitted MINI R56 being interogated right now in Area 51? Has Bin Laden got the only one and is holed up in it in a cave in Afganistan?

Or is in fact the R56 factory areokit some sort of military stealth option, like the B-2 Stealth Bomber? Or some sort of superpower like that bloke who can disappear in The League of Extrodinary Gentlemen?

Is it impervious to radar signals and speed cameras? (I'm changing my order if so!)

Whatever, I think we should be told.

The truth is out there people, unlike any real sighting or photograph of the mysterious factory bodykitted MINI.

I wouldn't know the answer - but thanks for the giggle

[craig5320]

I'm not sure if this is the official aero kit, or whether it was an old one that was replaced it's certainly R56 and i've seen it around before:



I like the works one with the black surrounds on the lights.

[ScottyBoy]

There is one and there is a difference and the JCW kit is much better, Type R56 Aero kit in google images and you will see the 1st pic with it on but im having trouble looking at it in full size.

Scott

[ScottyBoy]

Hear we go.....

http://coolbrit.net/mini-cooper-200003.jpg

[MINIAC]

[Tunster]

Just to contrast it, here's the JCW Aero Kit.... it's far more slick, but I guess it's down to personal taste...





That's how mine is going to look when I get it .

[Professor Peach]

Ooohh dear, I can see why they're keeping it a secret now!

I think I'll stick with my JCW kit order...

[Professor Peach]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tunster (original)

Just to contrast it, here's the JCW Aero Kit.... it's far more slick, but I guess it's down to personal taste...

Attachment 143422

Attachment 143423

That's how mine is going to look when I get it .

Tunster, our cars are going to be almost identical twins I think. Apart from the wheels and that towel rail stuck on the back of the roof of yours they're identical.

This is my saved configurator pic, look familiar?

[carboncrazy]

Heres one with the AERO KIT that "Almost" changes your mind about the IT.

Joe

[Stiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by craig5320 (original)

I like the works one with the black surrounds on the lights.

On the JCW bodykit you don't get black surrounds for the lights, just the grille.

[craig5320]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

On the JCW bodykit you don't get black surrounds for the lights, just the grille.

I ment the foglights/sidelights sorry



As opposed to the aero pictured above that has the body colour surrounding them.

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Professor Peach (original)

Tunster, our cars are going to be almost identical twins I think. Apart from the wheels and that towel rail stuck on the back of the roof of yours they're identical.

This is my saved configurator pic, look familiar?

I will be having the Crown Spokes that come with the Chilli Pack at first as the R109s are a tad expensive . Don't diss my carbon spoiler "towel rail" . IMO, I think it finishes off the MINI very nicely!

I don't think I would of got the MINI if the JCW Aero Kit didn't exist .

[humph]

Quote: Originally Posted by craig5320 (original)

I'm not sure if this is the official aero kit, or whether it was an old one that was replaced it's certainly R56 and i've seen it around before:



I like the works one with the black surrounds on the lights.

The site rules clearly state that posting of offensive images wil result in a ban. This is your final warning

A very clear and simple example of why some people believe BMW/MINI have lost the plot with the R56

[mister.t]

That grille looks awful Colour coded it may look OK, but the JCW kit anytime

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Humph (original)

The site rules clearly state that posting of offensive images wil result in a ban. This is your final warning

A very clear and simple example of why some people believe BMW/MINI have lost the plot with the R56

The biggest problem is the existance of the half black wheel arches. If they were colour coded (as shown in the blue one higher up this thread), it looks pretty good! However, they didn't want the bumpers to represent anything close to the JCW Aero Kit, so I guess that's why they colour coded the bottom bits of the wheel arches.

I'm a huge fan of the R56 over the R50/R53s, especially exterior wise. However, the factory aero kit needs a bit of tinkering to make it look better.

[carboncrazy]

I agree 100% TUNSTER. If it wasn't for the JCW Kit i would also never have bought mine as the standard one is not to my liking at-all.

Joe

[wow]

I saw on yesterday. Owner told me he asked for the aerokit and got this ugly kit. He did not know that there were two different kits.

Dealer did not want to rectify the mishap and get him a JCW aero kit.

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tunster (original)

Just to contrast it, here's the JCW Aero Kit.... it's far more slick, but I guess it's down to personal taste...

Attachment 143422

Attachment 143423

That's how mine is going to look when I get it .

That top pic is just like mine....apart from the JCW rear wing. Bit too in yer face for an oldie like me...

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

That top pic is just like mine....apart from the JCW rear wing. Bit too in yer face for an oldie like me...

It's gonna make my Cooper fly . One of it's hidden features . Ain't cheap with it costing me £512 . Can I ask you Washy, did you get the JCW illuminated entry strips? I've seen in another thread that this is included with the Aero Kit (or someone got it with the kit without realising it).

The wing IMO finishes off the hot hatch it is already .

I was a bit gutted that a two weeks after I put my order down, the JCW version of the Cooper was announced! I would of waited. Although, I don't think I could of paid the extra insurance being 21 .