I've heard some great things about the Boot Box, but a friend of mine mentioned that his A/C and heating started working less efficiently after installed the boot box. Has anyone else noticed this, or is my friend just imagining things.

Spike

 

I certainly wouldn't see any issues with heating and cooling associated with the bootbox. The thing is all the way in the back??

Cabbagetoe

 

Hey Cabbage,

I wouldn't have thought so either, but, not having seen it with my own eyes, the only thing I can think of is that there are some vents or something similar back there. I don't know. Just thought I'd check to see if anyone had heard of this.

Thanks,
Spike

 

If you look inside the boot towards the rear bumper you will see an open grid with dark grey or black cushy foam. My guess is that this serves as part of the heating and air conditioning system. If you look in an enclosed office with a T-bar ceiling, you will notice a Supply grill and a Return grill. The Supply will be the one where cool or warm air blows out from and the Return will be the dirtier one which is basically sucking the extra air out of the room. Basically, if more air is being blown in an enclosed space, it has to have an outlet.

When I load stuff in the boot I always try to keep a few inches clear from the grid.
:smile:

 

Another thing, the MCS and MC have a different boot cover, tonneau?, or whatever that rear shelf is called. The one that has the 2 strings that lifts up when you open the boot hatch.

The MCS one has an open grill in the center. And I believe that is to provide additional venting for the battery.
:smile: :smile:

 

Is this the OEM boot box that Mini USA has in their configurator? What kind of material is it made of? I'm debating between the box and the rubber boot mat.

Thanks!

 

this issue was discussed on mini2 about a year or so ago.
The boot box blocks the air exit in the back, making heating or air conditioning less efficient. It may also make a whistling sound as air has nowhere to go and is forced through the window seals.

The boot box is vinyl. It is fairly sturdy.

The trick is to stuff something between the boot box and the air exit vent holes. Somebody suggested a piece of wood. Anything to create some space between the boot box and the rear vents should work.

 

I have the bootbox in my MCS and haven't noticed any difference.