So I noticed on my new 2010 MCS that there is no hood insulation. I did a search and found that 2007-2009 MCS's have hood insulation just under the scoop.

Is mine missing or can anyone confirm that MINI deleted this for 2010?

 

None on my 2010 either, week 36 build.

 

Maybe they simply changed the construction of the hood scoop so that it will not melt and the insulation is not needed! Just a thought

 

...or they found that the hood insulation on the prior years didn't prevent hood scoop melt so they figured they'd cut costs and just remove the insulation.

 

Thanks 10Zero...So that's two 2010's. I guess MINI figured it wasn't necessary for whatever reason. I remember my 2003 had a full hood insulation. Funny thing is, I can't even hear the turbo. Kinda wish I could. hehe

 

Or they found it was trapping heat in the engine bay and causing more problems than it was solving.

Or, maybe they enhanced the turbo cooling system and the insulation was no longer needed.

 

No problem, I wondered too. Not because it was there before, but the fact the mounting tab and anchor holes are still there. Probably dropped it from production for whatever reason, but didn't retool the stamps.

 

...or John in procurement forgot to order more. Remember it's British built so they can plausibly say if may have fallen off the car while being driven.

 

If you want to hear the turbo more buy an open style air intake like and Alta, M7, Helix, Etc. If that doesnt make enough sound for you, void you warranty and put in a blow off valve!!!!

 

blow off valves void the warranty?

 

I have an 09 MCS and the insulation is in back of the scoop and not close enough to it to prevent the melting problem. So they wouldn't have removed it because the scoops no longer melt; it never prevented that to begin with. It's even farther away from the turbo so it's not there for that either. It looks like it's there for just engine heat in general.

 

Just checked my 2010 S (week 43 2009) - no insulation.

 

Coope's a late 09 cooper s (week 34) - no insulation.

 

Weird. Not only can I hear the turbo (when I turn the radio off), but I can hear it blow off when I lift off the throttle to shift on relatively hard acceleration. Sounds sweet.

 

Really? It is so strange. When I test drove the MCS before I ordered, I could totally hear the turbo. Now, I can't hear it at all. Even with the windows down. That is one thing I loved about my 2003 MCS, the supercharger always sounded good.

I wonder why mine is so quiet?

 

They gave you an MC, rather than an MCS.

 

The insulation has been discontinued.

In other news, a little birdie told me to be on the look out for metal hood scoops in the future. This isn't 100% sure but I have a fairly reliable bird.