Factory Aero Kit Gets an Update in ’09

Sections: Official News | R56 (Hatch) Mar 24th, 2008 28 Comments

MF Exclusive: Love it or hate it, the R56 Aero kit has always looked unfinished. We have discussed it here at length and even talked to the head of MINI design about it.

Well, it looks like MINI agrees with us (or more likely decided to invest more money in tooling for the rather unpopular option) and will be updating the Aero kit for the fall of ’08 to start the ’09 model year. As you can see in the picture above, the wheel arches will come matched to the body color. It will not effect your roof or mirror color choice.

We’ll have more in the coming weeks and months including better pictures.

Written By: DB

http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

nice report DB. Too bad about those painted arches.
Volker

The painted arches will give a lot of ground for discussions again :)

Help me out here, Factory Aero Kit and JCW Aero Kit, 2 different things, right ?!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysphotographs/ tonyeck

Yeah the factory kit and the JCW kit are very different. Here is my JCW kit – http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysphotographs/2279895575/
heyduard

Correct. the factory aero is different from the JCW aero. The painted arches make all the difference for the factory kit.
http://www.twistybitz.com/ DeathCab4QT

Still seems lame. Will wait for more pics for final judgement.
Volker

Thanks heyduard ! IMO I can fight with the black arches the same argument that MINI fights for the C pillars on the Clubman. Only I would like to have them painting the pillars :)
c4

I would say that this new aerokit is an improvement over the first one. But it still lacks the visual punch of the R50,52, 53 aerokit.

Gabe, painted wheel arches in the R56 might not be a bad idea. Never cared for them in the previous car, but I think they help improve the looks of the current car substantially.
Mozza

Will this mean painted arches will become a factory option regardless of whether you choose to get the aero kit or not?
VMMVMMM

I agree that it is a shame that they are resorting to painted arches, but overall the kit looks better than before.
Paul

Will this updated aero kit be available on the Clubman too?
Jon

Well a tad better than the original aero kit, I am not a fan of the painted arches look. Having said that I would take painted arches over the original kits transition between the arches to the front clip.
Chris

Let me be the first to say that I like the painted arches. More complete looking than the previous aero kit on the R56.

(Puts flame-suit on)

Ok, now you can flame away.
rhawth99

If nothing else, the painted arch will blend the bonnet seam along the wheel arch.

Look forward to bigger and better pictures!
mike

I wonder how much this will affect the price.

Regarding the R50/53 aero kit… it’s a great looking kit except the rear stickers. At least the new kit has fake grills.
mowse

In pictures on NAM the factory kit looked good (at least on AB) the I saw one in person(BRG). All I could think was “Mini what where you thinking?). What are the prices of this and the JCW(installed)?
Crusoe

If you see the current aero kit on anything but a AB or maybe PW your stomach will turn. It looks like a hodgepodge of kits bought off ebay for the wrong car.

At least the option for painted arches is a huge improvement.
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

It’s an improvement. I’d like to see it in person.
Pretzel Logic

Yeah, I like the painted arches better myself, although I guess I’d rather scuff up plastic than scrape off paint when backing into the garage.
c4

If I had painted arches, I would have clearbra film installed in them.
Ian F

I like the painted arches as well. Looks more integrated.
http://miniposeur.blogspot.com eto

It looks like the same kit with painted arches and grill slats…
Fred

If you want the MINI to blend in with every other car, painted arches are ideal. While we’re at it, let’s go for the swept, wide-eyed hood and huge taillights. In fact, let’s all get a Camry or Accord.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12027129@N03/1797754670/ Mr. Chau

Here is my JCW kit -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12027129@N03/1797754670/ Mr. Chau

Here is my JCW kit- http://www.flickr.com/photos/12027129@N03/1797754670/
http://MINIpassion.co.za Timmee

eww.

can we assume that the “previous” kit available for the Clubman will also be updated to include arches?
Chris

“If you want the MINI to blend in with every other car, painted arches are ideal. While weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re at it, letÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s go for the swept, wide-eyed hood and huge taillights. In fact, letÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s all get a Camry or Accord.” – Fred

You’re right Fred. It’s the plastic that makes a Mini cool. The upgraded Mini Aero Kit should look like a base model Jeep Wrangler at all costs. Lots of plastic and a ride height that will clear small children. If we are lucky they will even add more plastic onto the Clubman’s Aero Kit so that it can resemble the wonderful and sporty Honda Element.

My work here is done. Capt. Sarcasm Away!!!
gokartride

I like the idea of factory-painted wheel arches and kinda wish it had been an option all along.
lavardera

Its not doing it for me.

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