I'm specing out my next MINI and wondering if the rear spoiler serves any real purpose other than ornamental, particular in the regular Cooper. Aesthetically I can go either way, but if it servers a useful purpose I might just get it. I was really wondering if it helps control the flow of air over the back in some way that helps prevent dust from accumulating on the back. (or perhaps not having the spoiler would have this effect, not sure)

Thanks,
Ron

 

As far as the spoiler reducing the accumulation of dust...I would have to say it doesn't do a darn thing.

I've got a 2005 MCS with the spoiler (and pepper white to boot) and it gets very dusty. Mostly because (just my opinion) the hatchback shape creates a big air "dead space" behind the car that just swirls around.

I have no idea if the spoiler helps with airflow or performance, althoug I'd be curious to know. Maybe at high speeds it provides downforce to the rear end?

Sincerely,

Brian.

 

True, but this is not so with the second gen Cooper spoiler (I have an '07). Both the spoiler, the c-pillar profiles, and the more curved rear hatch profile really are functional from an aerodynamic perspective. All told the very clever design does mean it gets less dusty on the back of my R56 than my R50....not dust free, mind you, but it is better.

Now I'm not sure about the profile on the '08 Cooper spoiler, which is different.

 

Plus, on the MCS it's free!

 

I can never understand people ordering up a regular MC & then speccing a bunch of add-ons. by the time you add a few goodies (foglights, sport seats, etc), you're already up to/past the point of an MCS that comes w/ all that at the base price, plus you have more power & better resale.

... But with gas quickly approaching (and in some places already at) $5/gallon for premium, the Justacooper isn't without it's benefits.

back on subject, the design of the rear spoiler on the MCS really looks like they're trying to direct a bit of air down over the back of the car to possibly help with the dust, but with a big square-ish butt, there's not a lot you can do to prevent the dirt accumulation. Most of the dirt swirls up from below and around the sides, odds are something like M7's under-car diffuser would actually do more then the stock spoiler.
.. or you could customize/fit one of the rear window deflectors off an SUV or old station wagon

 

I kinda agree. For years I'd be the one to argue on BMW boards that it made more sense to buy a 330 than a 325, etc. And I've speced out an MC and an MCS each loaded with a lot of options. The difference between the two only comes to about $1000-$1500. You really have to get a bare bone MC to see a significant difference (although I'm sure lots of people would say that $1000 is significant).

Still, only the MC lets you go with 15" wheels (Even though most people don't want them). And the MC has better gas mileage and is cheaper to insure. And I'm no longer of the mind that more power is necessary or better. The MCS might get you better resale, but I bet that is balanced out by the MC's overall lower purchase and ownership costs.

 

I suppose if you're under 25, not a homeowner, the insurance might be a factor, but our insurance on the MCS is really low, I don't think the insurance companies (we use progressive) count it as a 'sports car' ..

If you come from driving cars like a BMW 330, going to the MC might be like a rebound relationship, your initial happiness w/ the fuel savings may turn sour when you find yourself married to an anemic powerplant.

 

Actually, if you look at the lease residual values, it appears that they expect the regular MC to hold it's value slightly better.

 

at 110+ mph, the drag created by the spoiler keeps the rear end behind the front end. Otherwise, the car is not aerodynamic at all.

 

I suspect, but can't verify, that the rear spoiler is designed to control the vortex at the rear to reduce resistance, and possibly improve stability. If you do a lot of freeway driving it might be useful. I'm not sure how you would know for sure.

The rear wing option, I suspect, is mostly for decoration. Might provide some downforce at 150 mph.

 

If you want to know what the spoiler and wing do, look at the race version of the MINI.

At street speed (legal or otherwise) the effects are likely to be very small.

But the look is good.

 

where the pics? i would do it cos i like it...dun care what others think

 

Trust me, the spoiler isn't to reduce backend dust. I get plenty and my wife's yellow Mazda 3 gets very little (we traverse about 200 yards of freaking dirt road to get home, hate it). And her wheels don't get half the dirt mine do either. I don't think yellow shows dirt like my SS does either. IMO the spoiler is for looks only.

 

There are some definite aerodymamic features to mine...I'm just not sure what the intended effect is. Again, it's not for downforce or anything crazy like that...but it does something functional, as do the c-pillars.

 

Yeah. Most of my evidence is anecdotal, and I bet the perceived accumulation of dust on my car is due more to the pepper white color than anything else.

This is just wishful thinking and dreaming on my part, but it would be interesting to do an experiment with the different year models and see what difference it would make: both in dust accumulation and downforce at normal and insane driving speeds...A La mythbusters. Looks like I have now have a mission for my local mini club this summer.

Brian

 

Does anyone know if the rear spoiler is added at the dealership, (like the stripes), or is it done at the factory during production?

 

Well there is no dealer install fee so i would say factory.