Hey guys,

I'm considering removing the spoiler from my '04 Cooper S, and as I understand it this will leave two holes, one on either end of the upper boot. I was browsing the marketplace here and came across this car for sale (check the rear quartering view)...if you look below the wing, it appears as though there are small caps/fins of some sort covering these holes. Anyone know anything about these and where one might find them? Thanks for any assistance

Regards,
Dave

 

I, too, think that the OEM S spoiler is both ugly and dysfunctional, so I had my `05 S despoiled by a body shop. They welded metal into the holes, and completely removed any evidence of the spoiler. Cost me $250 plus the spoiler (the guy put it on his daughter's Cooper).

As a low-cost alternative, you can find plastic hole plugs at any hardware store that can be sanded and painted, and would be unobtrusive.

Either way, IMHO, the car looks better unspoiled...

 

oldrick: did you notice any change on dust accumulation on the back of the car when you removed the spoiler?

 

Those plugs come with the JCW wing. I believe they can be ordered separately.

 

No change at all in dust deposits. It is not a functional spoiler, just decorative (and heavy).

 

Ya I think they are JCW plug things. Might ask the dealer about them. I would go that way cause you might want to put the wing back on

 

The JCW Wing plugs are Part # 51-71-0-400-703 They come in pairs and retail for around 20-25 bucks.

 

BTW, did anyone notice that the car linked by the OP was John Monk's "The Beast" which is one of the great custom Minis. He sold it for $26,000!! Ouch. It only had 18k miles on it.

 

Psst, don't tell anyone, but I'm going to release a new product that helps reduce dust on the boot caused by the OEM spoiler. More details within 48 hrs.

 

The OEM spoiler does not deposit the dust there, nor does it prevent the dirt from getting there.

If you watch in the rear-view mirror on a dusty road, dust and moisture comes up from beneath, and the vortex across the back of the boot deposits the dust or mud on it.

I'd be interested in seeing this, but I wouldn't hold out much hope, as this is an issue with any square-backed hatchback - it's just the way the air currents work.

 

Rick you are right, most sq back ride have this issue, but the OEM Spoiler doesn't help reduce it. Now I'm not an engineer nor do I have a wind tunnel in the back yard. However after a few weeks with this new product I'm using my rear wiper less in the rain and after a fun weekend with some local MINI's on some dusty roads, I know this new product works at "reducing" (key word) the dust that collects on the rear. More soon.
PS, putting a number on the reduced amount would be very hard and marketing russian roulette.

 

As I said, I'll be interested, but the only approach I've ever seen that works is to sort of turn a spoiler upside-down, into a vane pointing down over the back of the car, as seen on some vans. By doing so, you can force air downward over the window and move the vortex back away from the car, so not as much dust deposits.

Unfortunately, forcing air downward has the opposite effect of a real spoiler (as opposed to the stock MINI decoration), and it lightens the rear end instead of providing down-force.

So I'll be waiting to see this product - I hope it works well.

 

Here it is, http://www.autoxcooper.com/Jsart_Mini_Wing_Tip.html

 

Thanks for the replies and the part number as well. For anyone who's yanked their spoiler, do you have any close-up shots of the rear portion of the roof as well as the caps? I wouldn't mind seeing what they look like in a little more detail. I'm a little torn about removing the spoiler, but I'm thinking it would look really good without it...

 

YES, Pete has some........40 plus shipping;

http://www.minspeed.net/JCWFK.htm

 

If you go to ACE hardware you can pick up some small rubber things (used as feet for furniture) they come with an adhesive backing on them. I picked up a box of 4 for $3 to cover the hole when I removed my antenna

 

Ace hardware also has "hole plugs" that are flatter, and don't protrude as much.

 

Upon reading your posts, I took my rear spoiler off of my 06 MCS. I like the looks much better. I found some very flat hole plugs at HD that fit almost perfectly, just a little bit of exacto knife action on the under part. I'll do pics later.

YD

 

can anyone point out where they are on the mini in the OP?
i don't know where to look. i was considering de-spoilering my jb04