Hi all,

It won't be too long before my new Cooper S arrives (knock on wood), and I'm thinking ahead. I'll have to keep it parked outside, so I was thinking I'd get a good outdoor car cover for it.

Two questions:

1. Is there a cover you'd particularly recommend? I could get the official MINI cover, or something from Coverking, or...

2. I've heard a lot about melting hood scoops on the R56. This makes me worry about what would happen if such a car cover came into contact with the scoop after driving...what kind of temperatures can these things withstand? I'd be horrified if I parked, covered, and then found the whole mess on fire, or the cover melted and fused to the bonnet...!

Maybe I'm worrying about nothing. It's certainly happened before.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer!

-Will

 

I've been thinking about a cover for Topper. Never thought about the turbo heat! Good question! Anyone out there with some experience with this? Thanks for your help.

 

I would advise you NOT TO ever cover your mini why shes hot. You gotta let the her cool down before you tuck her in. When you make her hot it takes a while for her to cool. Id wait at least 30 minutes. I usually open the hood if I got to cool her faster. Get yourself a duster like the california duster(r) so if and dust lands on Her before shes cool you can brush it off. The turbo gets hot NO joke!!!! if you place your hand on the scoop you will burn your hand.

 

Thanks for your advice, Matty.

I think I may splurge and buy a heat shield to avoid any problems. The price is a bit steep for Alta's, but I've heard good things about them...

-Will

 

I have the M7 turbo heat shield and am very pleased with results>>


Looks good with the engine bay and my test results show this:

Results (using a Raytek MT6 laser thermal reader):
Pre heat shield install (OEM set up)
Turbo exhaust side: 370-450 deg F
Turbo air side: 160 deg F
Under bonnet at scoop: 124 deg F

Post M7 heat shield install
Heat shield housing exterior: 130 deg F
Under bonnet at scoop: 112 deg F

What this is saying to me is the heat shield is NOT containing heat, but rather dispersing heat more evenly thus not getting any abnormal temps at scoop.

Concerning covers...as some have responded I would not put a car cover over a 'hot car' (meaning you just drove in and shut down)...let it cool a bit. Now to WHAT cover... if the purpose of the cover is UV protection, no to minimal water penetration and breathability then I suggest this>>>

http://www.coverking.com/customcarcoversp.html

Comes in a variety of colors and fits like a glove

Michael

 

that heat guard looks sweet, i saw it on some other posts. What about the o2 sensor wire, yellow, wont it cook under there?
oh and iwish my engine was that clean..... One bad thing about the german autobahn is more dirt 10x's faster.

 

Well, nuts. I was hoping I'd be able to cover my car up right after I stop driving it...my parking spot is a few blocks from my house, so I'm not likely to want to turn the car off, go home, and then go back out to cover it a half hour later. Is there any way out of this, or should I just suck it up and leave it uncovered?

Thanks, everyone.

-Will

 

O2 sensor wire.. openings on top (see the hole in the shield) and on sides so it should not be an issue... of course the test will be time and thus we shall see. Understand autobahn.. grew up in Germany... two edged sword... speed and debris
Michael

 

just cover up, nothing happens, I cover my S every day at work and at home, the MINI outdoor cover breads, mine has not melted or got on fire, that's just crazy. I can't be more happy with my MINI outdoor cover I got from the dealer, go for it!