MINI Fixes Sagging MCS & JCW Hood Scoops

Ummm, metalized plastic to reflect heat? Really? It’s nice they’re working on the issue, but it just sounds like they’re spraying a thin coating onto the existing scoop. Count me as hopeful, but dubious.

I removed the black plastic mesh part from my ’09 JCW scoop a long time ago to open up its intake port completely. I’ve had no problems with the scoop sagging/melting.

I hope they also fix the chrome hood scoop as well. The chrome, which might be a thin layer of chrome over plastic, blisters and peals. I’m on my 3rd hood scoop with my 2008. I have the dealer replace it for me. That scoop sits right on the turbo and it gets blistering HOT. Maybe an all metal one would solve the issue. The chrome stays nice on exhaust parts, motorcycle engines it’s metal and stays nice.

Will MCS’s that are ordered now be part of March builds?

I’m so glad that the scoop on my R53 has a purpose other than to sag.

Go to your MINI dealership – they will replace it at no charge provided you’re still under warranty (I’m a MINI SA.) I have changed a few owners to the carbon fiber scoop as a goodwill gesture – the cost of the CF scoop vs a new stock scoop plus paint (they come primed) are pretty close, so they let me do that as a goodwill gesture. Something to consider mentioning to your SA… :)

@Gabe: Do the laws require “plastic” or do they require a deforming material? They should allow rubber as well, right? Seems you could engineer a metallic one that would deform and comply with a pedestrian law.

Completely understand if the CF scoop doesn’t fit with your MINI’s appearance – you could always have them repaint this new “metallic” scoop to replace the one you have in there. I haven’t come across these new scoops as of yet – when I do, I’ll post back with my opinion

Not being a fan of faux, I was hoping the MINI design team would decide to do away with the scoop altogether, as they appear to have done on the R60 S. Surely a cheaper option would be to simply use the Cooper D (turbo) bonnet. Just as it does on the D, this would serve to conduct the heat from the turbo across the whole bonnet so no issue with hot spots, and of course melted plastic scoops.

Still personally after seeing the massive temps on the R56 hoods I would rather have a little water on my engine that to melt my faux scoop and badly discolor my stripes.

Went for club runs more than once with R56s and can say I was amazed the heat on the front of the cars. To me this would generally heat soak the engine to the point were it would take a long while to clear.

Stitch I’m so glad that the scoop on my R53 has a purpose other than to sag.

HAHAHA Nice.

Metallized??? What the heck does THAT mean?

@SixSigma: Read the comments. It’s all explained.

SixSigma… Tell that to all of the plastic non warping parts in your car.

Unforeseen consequence? It’s hard to imagine that a group of engineers would not have anticipated that when you put a piece of plastic directly over a turbo with an operating tempature of a few hundred degrees, the plastic would melt. That’s clearly what happened, since these things have been melting and sagging for three years. It just shocks me that they did not have a better design from the beginning.

HOW DO YOU KNOW they are infusing metal into the resin? And what would the advantage be? Conductivity? No. That would make it worse. They need to switch to a different resin or go with a true metal part.

Oh BTW, metalizing means to treat the surface with a metal coating. Google it yourself.

Problem first showed up with the first R56 turbo cars. It’s good that they have a solution. It’s bad that it took almost 3 years to get it.

Matt

@ SixSigma – I agree with you that “metallizing” must be a deliberate choice of words — the term does technically refer to a “skin” of thin metal molded over a non-metallic core (in two molding operations or even a single molding); with such a design, the purpose of the metallic skin would be to reflect radiant heat and thus keep the structural core of the part at lower thermal stress levels and so free of deformation.

Given the little information we have we can only speculate but we will be able to see the new scoops soon enough.

Good to hear this and great timing too (I was getting close to giving up on a fix and taking my dealer up on the offer to just have my scoop replaced this week knowing it would probably melt again). Now I’ll just wait till these hit the dealers as replacements and the old parts flush through the system (which will probably take a few months).

There are a lot of high temperature plastics out there, I’m guessing if BMW has gone out of its way to change the material they will have made sure there won’t be any problems this time around. The fact that this was even done would indicate that the cost of the countless warranty replacements finally got to a point where it got their attention.

For those who haven’t seen this, it isn’t like the scoop melts away and disintegrates. It starts sagging on the top towards the very back. I don’t think this is something that only affects some Cooper S’s. It may affect some sooner than others probably due to local climate and driving habits but I think within a couple of years pretty much every car with a stock scoop will be exhibiting this (it took about 15 months on mine). If it is not, it’s because the owner already swapped it. The fact is though that it is one of those things that a lot of people may never really notice or pay attention too, and it doesn’t really affect the function of the car. Which is probably why this has remained a low profile issue.

Dealer replaced hood scoop on my 2007 Cooper S, but forgot to put in the black plastic insert. Since I live 100 miles away they are going to mail it to me and I will attempt to put it in. Some instructions would be helpful. Thanks.

Just found out today from M& that their M7 Aerogel Turbo Heat Shield does NOT fit the 2011′s. The rep said that it will be a couple of months before they rejigger them.