On my Chili Red MCS with a black grille I’ve covered my bonnet scoop with black tape, and I’m certain that that is the look that I want.

In your opinion which would give the best appearance, painting the scoop gloss black or replacing it with a carbon fiber scoop? Why? Pretend that I’m Bill Gates and price is not a factor, final appearance is the only criteria.



Thanks for your opinions!
-Nick

 

Like I said in your Z3 post, I really like the black grille on your MINI. :smile:

 

Thanks David. How about your opinion on the scoop?

 

Just paint it black. to match the black grille. It will look better having both of the black peices the same rather than having one black and the other carbon fiber.

 

I like the painted black bonnet scoop too.

Actually I already did that mod. I purchased an extra bonnet scoop from the parts department for $45 and painted it black myself. That way I still had my color matched scoop if I decided to go back (trust me it's cheaper to get a new scoop and paint it yourself, rather than getting your existing scoop painted to match the factory paint color).

 

Black scoop would be a nice contrast, while matching the black grilles as shown. On the other hand, carbon fiber scoop would be just as nice. :smile:

_________________

 

>>Black scoop would be a nice contrast, while matching the black grilles as shown. On the other hand, carbon fiber scoop would be just as nice. :smile:

You sound like a politician trying very hard to be on both sides of the issue simultaneously.

I believe the term is mugwump.

 

Black for sure. I've never been that excited about the look of carbon fiber. Chrome might look good...

It's always looked to me like the 90s version of whatever this jazz is called that they put on Trans Am dashboards:



Can we get some pics of the car with the tape to get a better idea of how it would look?

 

I think the paint option would look great and possibly be safer. I know someone who had a carbon fiber scoop and it disintegrated on him and blew off the car while driving down the highway.

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I am partial to carbon fiber. What kind of tape did you use on the grill insert, it looks pretty darn good?

 

I love the black grill, but I'm not a fan of the black hood scoops - carbon fibre or otherwise.

 

Since you are asking for our opinions, I think that black would look goof alone (because of the grill) but that cf would look better if you also got the mirror caps. just one piece of cf would look out of place i think

 

No question about it. Gloss Black to match your grill.

Hell, even the Rolling Stones agree with me on this one. Paint it Black!

 

Personally, I am a fan of matching and continuity. So my vote is black painted. Glossy because the body is glossy. Matches the grille slats. If you had flat black anywhere else, then flat.
I do not like carbon fiber anything. Unless you are very seriously into lightening your car for real competition, I feel it is just poseur crap, like rice wings. All to say "Hey everybody, look at me! I can afford to look like I have a race car"
Just my .02
Enjoy yours!

 

early_apex - - -
I should have taken pics with the tape on the scoop, but I didn’t … (kicks self in butt).

MGear - - -
I just used black masking tape to check the appearance. The grill inserts are painted gloss black.

 

Paint it.

 

I think carbon fiber is cool, but only if it is used in the full context of eliminating excess weight.

Unless I see that someone has removed every bit of unnecessary weight (a/c, stereo, comfy interior bits, beer belly, etc), I am not impressed with small bits of carbon fiber added just for show. . . .

But then again, I'm the type that might buy an expensive CF bonnet and paint it the proper body color. . .

 

your mini looks very good with the black grill, would look even better with just black scoop.
I have the Aero kit grill, a black M7 lower grill and was also thinking of just painting the scoop black aswell. Pretty sure thats what I;m gonna do now. motor, motor everyone!

 

Paint it black! It cost me about $45 for the part and an additionl $45 to have it painted MINI black. (I kept the original scoop in case I wanted to change back.)

Love the grill. :smile: I've been considering doing the grill like your's with my Chile Red S for some time. Keep us posted What kind of tape did you use?

<A HREF="https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/Mini_X_2b1.jpg" TARGET="_blank">
His, Chile RED over, Madness intake, Magnaflow exhaust, Helix 15% Pulley &amp; RDR Swaybar
Hers, Electric Blue / Union Jack on top and BONE Stock :

 

TwOMINIs - - -

I used black masking tape to give me clue as to the final appearance.

Like you, I kept the original grill bars in case I wanted to change back, and painted the new parts. I’m considering doing another set in white to match the top. Just thinking about it makes me giggle - - I’ll be just like my wife, “Let’s see now, what should I wear to work today?”

 

Thanks for all of your input. The deciding factor was when I asked my 15 y.o. son what he thought, and his response was, “If you go with the carbon fiber you ought to put on a coffee can exhaust tip too. You’ll look just like a Honda ricer!”

So I’m going to buy another OEM scoop and paint it gloss black.

How about the mirror caps - should I get a black set?

I’ve about half-way to decided to get another grill set and scoop and paint them white.

 

I think it is different/original, and therefore like it. I have an upcoming modification that will also sport a black grill. Mirror caps will be good too. I am not a big carbon fiber guy, so I am going to have to go with your son on this one!

 

Paint it Black and do the Chrome mirror covers. I wouldn't waste my time or $$ with white grille and/or scoop. The black slats look great - with or without a black roof. CF should be avoided - except possibly on the dash components.

 

Black grill/red scoop, in my humble opinion.

 

Carbon Fiber is the way to go...This is mine. And I didn't do it to save weight. Just cause it looks good.