"Melting" Chrome Air Intake / Bonnet Scoop !!?? - NOW RESOLVED!

[miniXL]

Hi There,

This is quite a funny one...

After the whole debate I have read on here about the pointlessness of having a "fake" air intake on the R56 MCS - I just had to laugh on my way back from the MINI dealer yesterday.

My MINI is a March 2007 build, therefore one of the ones that had the part perforated honeycomb fitted to the bonnet scoop by the factory.

Two weeks ago I bought a OEM Chrome Bonnet Scoop from my local dealer. I fitted it myself and noticed that the replacement had the old style unperforated honeycomb. I did not think to swap them over (which would have been easy to do as it was only a few screws to undo), as it's a "fake air intake" after all - WRONG!!

The very next day I noticed that the previous smooth mirror surface (at the top of the intake) started to bevel and make a ripple effect. I initially dismissed it as a flaw that I must have missed when I inspected it. I did however take some photos of it after installation. The next day I noticed that the ripples had increased from the previous day. I downloaded the photos from my camera that I took after installation and everything appeared perfectly smooth on them.

I decided to take it in to the MINI dealer. They had a look and seemed surprised at how hot the top part of the intake was after only doing roughly 10 miles (that morning on the way to them). They agreed to order a replacement but wanted to fit it themselves to ensure I had not done anything to cause the issue . Free of charge of course

D-day was yesterday and after waiting for 15 minutes the service guy came back to me and said that they wanted to speak to BMW next week because the are not happy about the unperforated state of the replacement either. I suggested swapping the original perforated honeycomb but they still insisted to first speak to BMW...

Well roll on Monday... I would love to hear the explanation form HQ...

My point with posting it on here is to make other owners aware AND to point out that the "Fake" air intake seems to be not so "Fake" after all...

[eggtruck]

My R56 had a fake scoop and it never melted. Maybe it was a defect with the chrome covereing.

[afriedrich]

I have a 11/06 Cooper S with the old style unperforated honeycomb. I noticed that there is a metal plate welded to the bonnet from underneath when I removed the black lining on the bonnet to check...
So there is no way for air to pass to the engine compartment...

Is this also the case with the new style honeycomb bonnet ?

Regards, Alex

[miniXL]

Quote: Originally Posted by afriedrich (original)

I have a 11/06 Cooper S with the old style unperforated honeycomb. I noticed that there is a metal plate welded to the bonnet from underneath when I removed the black lining on the bonnet to check...
So there is no way for air to pass to the engine compartment...

Is this also the case with the new style honeycomb bonnet ?

Regards, Alex

Hi There Alex,

As you can see from my 03/2007 build the black lining does not affect the actual air intake. The air intake does run through the bonnet (I was able to stick my fingers through the hole when I removed the original scoop!).

So air will definitely be able to get in there (with the perforated honeycomb of course! )

[DerekH]

I can understand why it melted just felt the bonnet on our car after slow 2 mile run felt top of scoop nearly burned my hand, this Alu bonnet needs more vent is it the heat from the turbo.

[lwilliamson]

I also replaced the scoop on my '07 MCS (build date 02/07) several weeks ago with a Chrome one purchased from my dealer. I noticed that the chrome scoop honeycomb was solid and the one that came on the car was perforated. I started to leave the chrome one as it was (solid) but something made me switch it out with the perforated one. Now I am glad I did!

Lyn

[miniXL]

Good news Boys & Girls!

I just had word from the dealer that there were some "faulty parts" imported from Germany about a month ago.

Mine has now been replaced and fitted by the dealer. They also swapped the perforated honeycomb form my original air intake with the new solid part. Now I have the perforated one fitted and all seem to be well thus far.

Well I am off to MINI UNITED this afternoon.

See ya!

[5ambo]

Quote: Originally Posted by miniXL (original)

Good news Boys & Girls!

I just had word from the dealer that there were some "faulty parts" imported from Germany about a month ago.

Mine has now been replaced and fitted by the dealer. They also swapped the perforated honeycomb form my original air intake with the new solid part. Now I have the perforated one fitted and all seem to be well thus far.

Well I am off to MINI UNITED this afternoon.

See ya!

Just to clear one thing up MINIXL... If I were to purchase one of the non perforated ones that are deemed "faulty", I will have no problems in swapping over the mesh from the current one and there will be no melties? I have held off on purchasing one so far as I will need to get one from OS - my MINI dealer was saying that he can't get them in Aus yet....

[miniXL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sambo99 (original)

Just to clear one thing up MINIXL... If I were to purchase one of the non perforated ones that are deemed "faulty", I will have no problems in swapping over the mesh from the current one and there will be no melties? I have held off on purchasing one so far as I will need to get one from OS - my MINI dealer was saying that he can't get them in Aus yet....

Of course I can not guarantee that it will not happen but considering that one of the earlier posts on here did just that and reports no problems, I can't see any reason why it should not work. To be perfectly honest - there is no proof that the second one that I had fitted is not from the same batch as my first. The only difference is that the perforated intake was swapped onto the second one. I should have just gone and done that from the start myself....

[5ambo]

Thanks miniXL - I think that I might wait for my dealer to get them in. I will be sure that the perforated intake is swapped from the original when it is done.. The last thing that I want it a melting scoop damaging my bonnet

I also just looked at your galley - nice MINI! Could you please post some with the chrome scoop when you get a chance? (the nice new non-melted one :P)

Thanks again!

[miniXL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sambo99 (original)

I also just looked at your galley - nice MINI! Could you please post some with the chrome scoop when you get a chance? (the nice new non-melted one :P)

Thanks again!

Thank you - I'll pass the compliment on to Bolton!

Posted some new ones in my gallery for you.

Hope you get your Chrome sported soon enough. I think it really adds to the MINI - especially if you love chrome like I do!

[Arnbut]

I doubt that we've heard the last of items melting under or on the bonnets.
Just think of the upcoming liability concerns when the first child burns their hand on the bonnet of a recently run car in a parking lot.

[miniXL]

My point with posting the problem on here was to highlight the fact that the air intake on the R56 was functional after all, NOT to litigate.

[Vanon]

Hi everones,
I am a new MINIER from Hong Kong with a brand new MC S Clubman 2007 starting from yesterday.
Before I got the car, the MINI HK have replaced a Chrome Air Intake for me. After a while when I inspected the body and interior, I found that there were no holes in the air intake louvre.

Today, I even found that the cover lid was sooooo hot after driving for 10 minutes. Even, there were lots of lubricant grease, which were already at every joints inside the cover lid, melted. Such oil came out and left marks on the front bumper and side plastic covers (above the tyres). I had tried to clean such marks but failed.

Who of you had the same problem? Which country does your car reside?

I have reported to the salesman who followed my case today and follow this link for his reference. He had arranged a service appointment for me on coming Monday. Will report to you for any findings.

Thanks.

[Vanon]

Hi Everone again,

I had just received the reply from MINI UK, the Customer Information Advisor said that the air intake does not need any "holes" there cuz the 2nd gneration MC is using turbocharge which only need fresh air from front bumper and exhaust air itself for Turbo.

So the Chrome Air Intake I have on my car is okay.