Didn't realize until I received my JCW convertible that the hood scoop is
sealed (non-functional). Have heard that our turbos don't need it whereas
superchargers would. Will be swapping out the Red scoop and installing my
black 'carbon fiber look' one on Saturday and wanted input as to whether
the additional air coming in could be beneficial or not? I can see where it
would allow more dirt to enter as well, not to mention water.

 

If you look on the underside of the hood where the scoop is there is no cut out for it. If you wanted a functional hood scoop you would need to cut apart the hood

 

Not true. The 'carbon fiber look' I'm about to have installed, has the
'open mouth'. If I want it sealed, as the OEM one is, I would have to
re-use the plastic 'mouth area' insert from the old scoop and have it
utilize the 'inner clips' that exist in the outer area of the scoop to
simply pop it into place. If I decided not to use it, the scoop would be
open.
Also - There is a Mini hood scoop installation video on You Tube that
show's you the simple process required. Once you remove the retaining
torque screw bolt under the hood, you simply flex the scoop, starting in
the corner using a non-scratch trim removal tool. Then the outer scoop
can have the holding clips disengaged, inch by inch, as you work your
way around the perimeter.

 

But the metal of the hood itself doesn't have a large enough opening to make it worthwhile. I looked at the possibility when I had my scoop painted. Altogether different from Gen 2 cars where the only thing blocking air flow was the insert in the hood scoop itself.

 

I see open panel sections under the hood scoop area to allow air
to work its way down into the top of the engine area in this 2018
JCW Convertible. Not knowing how much this would be of benefit
but the air would be directed as I described and not met with
resistance in the upper area of the scoop. There looks to be ample
space for it to permeate the upper engine area. Again, even with
this fact I don't know how to weigh the pro's and con's?

 

I don't see any need for it, or gaining much benefit from it except for a very dirty engine bay. Maybe some cooler air will find it's way in there but it's not like there are overheating reports left and right.

I personally wouldn't bother but it seems like you already have your mind made up despite asking the questions

 

Hadn't made up my mind but if you put a gun to my head I would
re-insert the sealed section. Was hoping someone with tech knowledge
on the Mini could supply pertinent info but not being able to accomplish
that, I can see myself allowing the potential dirt build-up factor to rule
my decision. Hope that after I re-insert it, someone doesn't pop-up with
something like, 'The more air the better, even if it is a turbo!'

 

The air coming in would not help the turbo, I seriously doubt it would lower the temperature any. I seriously do not see any real benefits of doing this. The negative of water and dirt getting everywhere trumps any positives.

I've had this idea in the past, so you aren't the first and it's been discussed many places and the consensus is always to not bother.

 

It is now a mute point since I have, this morning, swapped out
all the OEM trim with Black inserts and re-installed the hood scoop
seal. Having accomplished getting rid of a lot of the chrome looking
parts (head lights, tail lights, gas cap and front grille surround), the
only thing left is to cover the chrome door handles with Black. Can't
seem to find any that allow for the 'key entry' portion on the driver's
side door. A last resort will be sanding them, spraying them with an
etching primer, and painting them Black.

 

I got mine from Outmotoring. Drivers side is two piece construction to allow for the key access.

 

Thanks, I really appreciate the info. Now I've got to work on doing
something about the chrome rings around the posts that are located
directly near the forward most portion of the rear side windows. They
are approximately 1". Must not forget about the chrome lip at the base
of the windows, encircling the car itself. I do believe I saw a video where
this guy sands the shine off the chrome after carefully masking the top
and bottom portions of the car. He then sprays etching primer before about
three light coats of paint. P.S. - Sure wish I was in the design studio when
those 'chrome fanatics' were going crazy adding it to the car. The least
they could have done was ask Mini to offer non-chrome alternatives also.

 

Outmotoring (if I remember where I got it) has a blackout vinyl tape, matte. Works just fine if you do not stretch it too much in it gets too narrow on application. It's cheap.

 

Yep. That's the way I did mine. Bought from one of the forum sponsors, but can't remember where.

 

Will check out the matte black tape. Sounds like a good choice since
it is inexpensive and no big deal about removing it if that becomes
necessary.

Appreciate the fountain of info I'm getting on this site. Now, any way to
get the rear headrests to sit lower? If not, I'll keep them removed which
was a simple procedure activating the side buttons on the plastic round
base plastic to get them out.

 

My rear headrests have two positions, 1 with the rest straight up, and the other with the rest folded down. I believe there is a button on the side that allows them to "fold down" flat to give you more of a view out the rear window

 

Went back to them and don't know how I could have missed
the fact that in the center of the rods, a small round plastic
piece sits stationary there, and they are held by a small pin.
Once you push the pin all the way through and remove it, the
piece can be slid down the rod and off. Now I am able to lower
them all the way to the upper portion of the back rest.

 

Read where one purchaser stated that a hand dryer was used to
help spread out wrinkles when tape was applied. Did you do this
as well?

 

I actually had my body shop guy install mine while he was doing some other work for me. I watched for a while and didn't see any kind of heat applied. I imagine ambient temp and the temp of the surface and the tape play a big part. It was July when mine was being done. Don't see where a hair dryer would cause you a problem as long as you don't get carried away. The roll that I got had plenty of extra in case of a mistake. Surface prep is important too. IIRC I got my tape from Outmotoring.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

The air cleaner's in a rectangular box on top of the engine. I don't think that hood scoop is even in the same zip code as the turbocharger air source lol.