For $2500 bucks I am hoping to get more than just bling out of the aero kit. I understand that the corrected drag coefficient has to do with the frontal area of the car (20-24 ft2 depending) and that the uncorrected drag coefficient for the MINI is 0.37, but am curious to know if anyone knows what the new drag coefficient is post aero kit install.

Thanks.

 

$2,500.00????????

did you buy it yet? It cost me $1,500.00 painted and I installed it less than 2 hours, doing bunch other things with it (changing foglights...etc.) That is too much money, unless there is more to it.

 

no. i am in the same camp...$2500 is too much . i am going to install myself after getting that quote. i found some instructions online (here and at mini2.com) and i've been practicing removing the bumpers for a week or so (much to my wife's dismay).

 

Let me know if you need any help

Berk

 

You'll get a lot of bling, but not much else other than rock chips unless you get the clearbra. :smile:

 

Aero kit is only for looks.

 

The Aero Kit looks good, but that's about it. Being a daily driver myself, I agree with what's been said: expect rock chips...

Aero Kit:


Rock Chips: (Look closely towards the fog-light area and turn signal)


There are many more (and worse) on the actual hood, but a little touch-up and they won't show as bad. A clear bra is a great idea.

By the way, $2,500.00 is extremelly expensive. The actual kit goes for about $1,200.00, paint (for mine) was $850 (including sanding the pieces, etc) so total would be $2,050.00. Where is the other 450 coming from???

Just for the record, that's not how much I paid, though. Didn't get the frong bumper and saved on an "already purchased" rear apron - guy bought the wrong item, so I got it for 50% off.

Good luck with everything,
Leo.

 

if ur gettin' a whole lot of rock chips on the aerokit it's due to paint/application not the kit. the kit's NiCE but not much there for function.

.......dont like the stickers in the rear fascia myself!!
its also one of the best LOOK's kit out there.

 

L8RG8R,
I would estimate that the drag coefficient after aero kit install would be nearly the same as stock. It might even be worse, it's hard to tell. Therefore, without wind tunnel testing and some reliable data collection the aero kit is well, not so "aero" in the strict sense of the word but rather largely appearance oriented.

Things that "might" help lower the drag coefficient:
Smaller total front area facing the wind.
Less drag from the front scoop, wipers, all grilles,side mirrors, fog lights, or rough surfaces on the front bumpers and head lights.
Any holes from items on the bumper not installed- no fog option.
Removed the front license plate and holder
Lower the car
Front splitter?
Install narrow tires?
Use tape to cover up all those cracks and rough surfaces.
Keep your windows up and your sunroof closed.

 

Is this your opinion, or do you have proof that there's no performance merit?

That said, the Aero front bumper uses the same mounting points, and it's lower lip is in a simlar location to the stock air dam, so the frontal area is similar to stock.

 

hey 'minihune' that was good i feel that the bull nose design of this car would be real hard to smooth out & the aerokit cant help

 

Our MINIs aren't really designed with "good aerodynamics" in mind.
If they were, then we'd be sitting down squatter and not have such a high windshield- but that would take away from the head room which is such a plus for taller drivers not to mention it's easier to get in and out.

Check this out on Cd in automobiles:
http://www.answers.com/topic/drag-coefficient-1
Of note-
"The typical modern automobile achieves a drag coefficient of between 0.30 and 0.35. SUVs, with their larger, flatter shapes, typically achieve a Cd of 0.35-0.45. Certain cars, notably can achieve figures of 0.25-0.30, although sometimes designers deliberately increase drag, in favour of reducing lift."

Some notable examples:

* 2.1 - a smooth brick
* 0.9 - a typical bicycle plus cyclist
* 0.7 to 1.1 - typical values for a Formula 1 car (wing settings change for each circuit)
* at least 0.6 - a typical truck
* 0.57 - Hummer H2, 2003
* 0.51 - Citroën 2CV
* 0.42 - Lamborghini Countach, 1974
* 0.39 - Dodge Durango, 2004
* 0.38 - Volkswagen Beetle
* 0.372 - Ferrari F50, 1996
* 0.36 - Citroën DS, 1955
* 0.36 - Ferrari Testarossa, 1986
* 0.36 - Citroën CX, 1974 (the car was named after the term for drag coefficient)
* 0.34 - Ford Sierra, 1982
* 0.34 - Ferrari F40, 1987
* 0.33 - Dodge Charger, 2006
* 0.31 - Citroën GSA, 1980
* 0.30 - Saab 92, 1947
* 0.30 - Audi 100, 1983
* 0.30 - Porsche 996, 1997
* 0.29 - Porsche Boxster, 2005
* 0.29 - Honda Accord Hybrid, 2005
* 0.29 - Lotus Elise, 1958
* 0.28 - Porsche 997, 2004
* 0.27 - Infiniti G35, 2002 (0.26 with "aero package")
* 0.26 - Toyota Prius, 2004
* 0.25 - Honda Insight, 1999
* 0.212 - Tatra T77, 1938
* 0.19 - Mercedes-Benz "Bionic Car" Concept, 2005 (based on the boxfish)
* 0.137 - Ford Probe V prototype, 1985

Figures given are generally for the basic model. Faster and more luxurious models often have higher drag, thanks to wider tires and extra spoilers.

 

Thanks for everyone's comments (and PMs). I kinda figured that the bling would win out over an actual improvement in the drag coefficient, especially considering the relatively square front of the MINI. Does anyone know where I can get the arch trim to match the body color? Is this an option on the aero kit or is it aftermarket? Thanks again.

 

Common sense for most people, especially if you have any kind of background in automotive design and testing (7 years at Johnson Controls ASG pour moi).

 

like the purple pill, we want proof.

7 years at JCI = comfort factor, but as any engineer would state, does not mean crap.

 

hahah very nicely handled

www.mini-clubsport.com offers an altered aero kit that has lengnthened the front splitters and extended the sideskirts a bit, presumably for downforce since their cars are strictly track cars. Shipping would be crazy, but its an option if you want aero kit+ possible aero gains.

 

Thanks Minihune for that great list. I've always been intrigued by any given vehicles cd. I'ts not always what you think it might be. I remember the Lexus LS 400 in it's debut being incredibly slippery for it's size and shape.

You can feel the drag on the MINI once into triple digit speeds for sure. (on the track)

 

I was going to start a new thread on this, but I searched and found this one... time to resurrect...

In the latest MC2 magazine (Issue #2, Spring 2006), on page 6, MINIUSA has an advertisement for the Aero Kit that states in larger bold text:

LOWER DRAG COEFFICIENT. HIGHER DROOL FACTOR.

This seems to suggest that the Aero Kit will reduce drag on the car, in theory helping with performance. Could this be true? Up until now I was more or less under the expectation that it was a "bling only" mod, and in fact added weight to the car, therefore making it a performance decrease!

What do you think? If it doesn't actually reduce drag, then it seems like false advertising to me.

 

They're also advertising Higher Drool Factor. Do we have any Salivation Engineers here who can confirm this?

 

Edge I too saw that ad and wondered the same thing.

 

Too bad they didn't also release #'s, pics, and stats.

 

LOL - good one... but seriously, one statement is scientifically quantifiable and fixed, the other is near impossible to quantify and subject to varying personal tastes.

I sure wish we had solid CD numbers on Aero Kit vs. stock!

 

"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines."

E. Ferrari

Otherwise known as:

"Their ain't no substitute for cubic inches"

Anon.

Even if the drag coefficient were lower, it's not going to make the car accelerate faster, rather it will allow for a greater top speed since the car is already a flying brick