Hello,

I just ordered (and it wasn’t easy to make a decision) a Hyper Blue, 2005 Cooper S.
It will not be ready until January 2005 so I have some time to decide whether I want the Aero Kit installed.

I like the Hyper Blue with the Chrome, but when you have the Aero Kit installed, off comes the Chrome. What are the advantages / disadvantages of the Aero Kit?

If I go with the Aero Kit I would have the bottom sides painted blue along with the wheel cowls.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Aero Kits?
Thanks in advance,
John R…

 

On a dark blue MCS like mine (IB), there was no doubt to get the aero kit
as it lightens up the sideskirts and overall bottom lines of the car to
give it more definition from the shadow of the car and asphalt.

You can ask 2percooper too, but he and I will both tell you that doing the
aero kit on a darker blue car was one of the BEST decisions on our
cars in terms of cosmetics. :smile:

 

IMO the Aero kit makes the car look so much more solid and aggressive. I think this should be the standard look for an MCS. With out it the black side skirts and front and rear bumpers make the car look mass produced (which it is) but with the factory Aero kit it looks much more like a hand built car. I think it would look great on any colour but as kenchan stated darker colours look awesome, I have a BRG/BRG with the Aero kit and white tail lights and get comments from people like WOW this is the best looking MINI they have seen.

Oh and BTW it is not glued on and will not self destruct in time as some have said.

 

Yes, it's like apples and oranges when comparing a MINI with the kit, and one without the kit. It gives that extra "sportier" look, that no other kit, imho, can give. As Ken said, it was/is the best mod i have done cosmetically. I dont think that I will do anything else to the exterior, other than some CF goodies i have planned.

But in the end, its up to you do decide whether or not to put it on. I dont think anyone who put on the Aero kit would say that they would take it off.

 

As an option to the whole kit, you can do just part of it. Go for the aero skirts as I did, it definately changes the appearance of the car. You can always add the other items later it you want. Since you mentioned you like the looks of the chrome, the skirts would be a good compromise for you, you'll still have the chrome that you like.

 

many people keep the chrome and get the aero kit..it's not a big deal..just don't change out the grille...oh the minis before 05 there was a little modification needed to fit the chrome grille in the aero bumper...but I am sure you dealer can help with that if they are already going to be doing the install for the aero kit....if not I am sure there are many mini owners who would be happy to help...I have done three or so now at my house...and well there are so many other things we have done ...almost like an excuse to get together

 

I like the aero kit!

Is the aero kit lower to the ground than stock parts or are they both the same height above the ground?

 

I think the front bumper and sides are pretty close to stock height.
The rear bumper is a little lower and the exhaust cutout is lower (as
far as MCS goes).

If you're not having problems clearing the front bottom air diverter or
wat ever that black plastic strip is, you won't have problems on the
aero kit either. :smile:

 

Thanks kenchan. I was thinking of 195/55/15 tires and one inch lowering springs. However, someone said they have 205/50/15 with stock suspension (no aero kit) and it lowered their car about an inch. So, now I'm worried about lowering the car with these tires and being too low (I want to be able to get through the auto car wash to get off road salt). But it looks like an aero kit won't be a problem. :smile:

 

nnn..autowash... You'll want to keep your stock height.

My car's too low to clear the rails. 205/50/16's with H-sports. The
front air diverter thingie will hit the rail...

Another thing you need to be careful is the rear strut itself. Even at
factory height using 205/45/17, there was not enough clearance for the
rear strut to clear the rails....ended up scraping the rubber cover
a little bit on the bottom of the strut and scraped off paint.

This is one reason why I started leasing a 04Civic beater the other week.
Now, no more salt on my MCS in the winter! = no auto car wash!!!

 

The side skirts are about 1" lower than the stock ones. They bottom of the skirts is the same level as the bottom of the jacking points.

 

I agree that aero kit improves the look of the car, but i find the price to be too steep to be justified, I was told $1200 for the kit and another $1200 for painting and installition! now if anyone can suggest a cheaper way of going about this I am all ears. (I live in L.A. area).