The carbon fiber versions shown on another thread in this forum are attractive to the CF fans and proabably suppress more road and exhaust noise than the stock piece, but the cost of buying one or the mess in making one, as well as the anticipated reflective glare, do not appeal to me.

After cramming bags and backpacks in the boot for the past year and a half, my stock piece does not fit properly. I have mangled it trying to re-shape it to seal properly. I would like an aftermarket piece without a vent that will seal out road noise and not create glare. Is there anything out there? If not, I suppose it should not be too difficult to create a better replacement- has anyone done this?

 

some early (believe 2002 models) MINIs had a "lid" with no vents in it. the vents were added either in mid '02 or in early '03 to increase the sport sound into the interior. check with your dealer for that part or maybe someone out there has one they're willing to part with.