Hi Dave,

Just checked my 14 Cabrio S and no insulation under the bonnet for me. I have not had a chance to talk to MA but will drop them a note this evening to see why

 

I skimmed the referenced thread. It appears it's a voluntary add on, but a few posters claimed their dealers put it in under the MINI warranty. One guy reported he bought the parts for $85 and spent 10 minutes mounting the insulation with the 11 expanding clips or rivets provided.

 

I have the JCW exterior package. Mine came with Bridgestone Potenza 205/45/17 RFT performance tires.

 

Thanks for info TD I will try the warranty route first and push hard for it. makes no sense not to include it

 

I'm just going to add it for that price. I heard it keeps the bonnet cool but somewhat quiets engine noise (bad thing). The bonnet does get hot, I'll say.

 

Did you select the "No All Season Tire" option?

 

No. I understand the performance run-flats automatically come with the JCW exterior package. I have to make it through one winter, then I'm off to Florida.

 

Of course! I knew the answer would be logical. Hopefully, there's a "fresh" Belgian Waffle in my glovebox upon arrival. Doreen is getting a nice tour of Europe/Canada before coming home: Austria > Germany > Belgium > UK > Canada (NS) > USA. If she's picking up waffles in Belgium, perhaps she can pick up some of this whilst in Nova Scotia: http://www.glenoradistillery.com/glenbreton.htm.


In checking out the Google satellite view, it looks like that dock in Belgium is full of heavy machinery and boats.

 

Dave:

My 2014 Roadster S came with a black insulation blanket, it has a silver metallic heat reflector under the scoop area. Since mine was built before yours, I'm no sure why you're doesn't have it. Hope it works, as my 2010 Cabrio S didn't have it, and the hood scoop warped after 2 years.

Also, mine has the all season 17 in Continental run flats with my JCW exterior package and wheels. Did you swap them out for non-run-flats?

 

Mine has the all-season Continental run-flats; no problem for my dealer to include in the build package w/ JCW exterior and interior.

 

An informed poster told me that MINI specifically installed the insulators on cars with viper stripes because the engine heat apparently really screwed up the stripes and, in some cases, warped the scoop. I'm probably going to do it anyway, even if I have to eat the cost. I'll work my MA for a deal BEFORE I respond to the survey.

 

'scuse my ignorance, but it looks like this only pertains to MINIs with the scoop. Thus, this isn't something that I have to consider for my CM, right?

 

If you don't have a scoop or stripes to warp or melt, there's probably little need for the insulation in the hood. (Although the turbo does get very hot and stays that way for a long time after to turn off the engine). For the $85, it's not a bad thing to have.

 

Sounds like I have my first project. Sweet.

 

So my MA emailed today and confirmed that the beast is on the truck. He's anticipating a Thursday arrival, so I expect I'll have my Mini on Friday. Gonna be a busy day.

Anticipaaaaaaation.....

 

No idea when my Clubman S will arrive at dealership. My MA habitually uses terms like "soon". He's so vague about everything I wonder if he's been sued or beat up for providing more specific estimates that didn't pan out in the past.

He would commit to a Saturday 12 Oct pickup so it must be there already...?

I'll check for the heat shield. Mine is an S so has the scoop. I'll probably install it if it's not there. Assuming it's not hot enough to burn you other wise it would be a safety issue but seems like in addition to warping it could affect the paint over the long term and the durability of any wax/coatings applied.

Don't like the description of the heat shield kit posted earlier. Expanding Clips = Rattle

Mini Purchase Process:

Web Configurator = Buncha cool stuff I can't afford
Test Drive = Ok, I want one.
MA = Factory trained to agree with your opinion about every option (yea, Nav sucks and you can use your smart phone)
Price = You might be able to negotiate some discount if you're buying one off the lot. Not so much when you're ordering to your spec.
On Order = Buyers remorse. OMG what did I just spend for a skateboard?
Scheduled for production = Ok good. It's almost over.
After a week = Are there really that many orders ahead of mine?
After 2 weeks = Why does it take so long to put one together? Isn't that what they do there? Did my order get lost? Is there a parts shortage? Are the workers on strike?
Awaiting Transport = Ok good. It's almost over.
After a week = Guess they're letting the paint dry really well before shipping.
After 2 weeks = When did it get to the dock? What ship is scheduled next? Did mine make it on that one? Is it on WW or Kline? I put the VIN in the Cargo ID block and it says not found.
Aboard Ship = MA gives you ship name. You can see it steaming away from port. Ok good. It's almost over
After a week = Lost in the N. Atlantic. You learn that AIS receivers have limited range. They can't see past ~50 miles offshore. Isn't that where the Titanic went down?
After 2 weeks = Spotted off the East coast of the US. Ok good. It's almost over. Wait, it has to make 3 stops before it gets to the port where it will unload my Mini.
At the VDC = Ok, good. It's almost over.
After a week = Should have only taken 3-4 days. Longer must mean there is a problem. Was it damaged in shipment? Are they trying to install options the factory missed?
On the truck = Ok, good. It's almost over. MA confirmed it is loaded and has departed VDC.
After 3 days = What route did it take? How many stops did it have to make? Did they mistakenly leave my car at another dealership? I could have driven to the VDC and back 3 times already.
Arrival at dealership = ? No idea, I haven't gotten this far yet.

 

Priceless!

 

Hooray, my car is now awaiting a ship assignment.

 

No swap. Mine simply came with the Bridgestone Potenza 205/45/17 RFT performance tires. I assume the RFT stands for "Run Flat Tires, right?

 

Awesome, QH! Wait until you drive it. I've had mine 2 days and I can hardly believe it. Drove it for the first time today with the top down. Unbelievable experience and you sure get the looks!

 

Keep checking the WW site. Plug your VIN in the Cargo ID section. One day it should pop up (unless you get K-line). We're waiting with you, RavenGirl.

 

Absolutely priceless!!!! Had me rolling in fits.

 

Congrats TD!

Looking forward to making mine "all special" in the coming weeks!

Pretty sure it's at the VDC now... but OL is just so out of date.

Any day now.....

 

Did you select the All Season Tire option during your build?

 

I remember how you're feeling. But when it gets here you can do this....


Post up a picture of your new MINI and smile!