I don't understand why every criticism of the R56 is met with the accusation of jealousy. Does that mean we're all jealous of SUVs too?

Quit being such babies, it's just a car.

 

Or maybe everyone can move on from the bickering in this thread and get it back on topic...

It is interesting that MINIUSA would call the scoop functional, just for the fact that on the R53 it is truly for the intercooler, and on the R56 it is mostly there to distinguish it from a Cooper. Like I said before, I like the possibilities, but aside from that, I too think it is a little lame to "fake-scoop" any car. Reminds me of Mustangs with their blocked off hood scoops and side vents...

Drew

 

I dunno...I think rections should be expected. First...this is a MINI-enthusiast web-site. Second...R56 is a MINI. Third...folks are criticizing a MINI that many here are now actually buying and motoring in. If folks still insist on criticizing...fine...but R56 enthusiasts will have a very different view.

I suggest hedging the negative comments and supporting what is good while, yes, maintaining our own personal opinions.

(for example, you couldn't pay me to buy an R53 MCS much less a GP, but I don't talk about that here. See...doesn't come across very well. Best to keep some thoughts to myself.)

 

Excellent idea!!

 

Homme - I just read the entire thread and nobody accused anybody of jealousy.

What happened here is that someone - not naming names, go back and read for yourself - suggested that people with a lower total of posts (newbies perhaps, R56 buyers perhaps) appear to be the people who have no objection to the "fake" hoodscoop, hence the question of what is meant by that?

Perhaps they meant its just because these are the people buying 07s, so natch they would like it better? OR maybe they meant that these newbies don't understand the mini spirit - how could they with a fake scoop, or have lower standards, or miss the point of owning a mini, or maybe that R56 isn't really a mini afterall - the fat bloated mini-wannabe, or maybe its about time we deleted the R56 section and deleted the accounts of all these 07 buyers - good riddance to them, or maybe its time we barred R56s from NAM - lets get rid of those convertibles too - who came up with that sh-t, or maybe its time we went down to our local Mini dealer and pitched a brick through the plate glass window - the traitor, how could they?.

So, we were just wondering. What did that mean anyhow?

 

 

Or maybe she just noticed a correlation between preference and post count. We have/had our share of horses boots, but bamatt isn't one of them.


Back on topic - I can't see where directing toward the turbo would do much - those suckers cook! I'm sure the innovative owners and aftermarket will find a use for it. While I'm not big on fake (my Scooby wagon has a fake hood scoop) this one makes more sense than most both for continuity and for model differentiation.
Motor on!

 

For accusations of jealousy - just tour some of the other threads.

Just because people are critical of the mini's redesign doesn't mean they think of it as seperate from the rest of the mini community. That division isn't coming from the R53 owners, it's coming from the R56 owners—who meet every little negative observation with ridiculous hyperbole.

 

Hey! No fair glaring at your own post.
If the wagon is heading for the cliff, you have to turn the reigns, not just whip the horses.

 

Here's me agreeing with gokartride: this is an excellent idea!!


also I also prefer the R50 MC to the R53.

Then again, I also really like the way the direction it looks like an R55 clubman S JCW may take.

 

no need for need for new hood, ALTA, M7, Mania, and all the others must be currently working on a diverter that will make a big difference.....



in your wallet of course!!!!

 

Trying to redirect air from the hood scoop to the intercooler sounds futile - the intercooler is at the lower grill where it needs to be. Aftermarket cold air intake mods seem like a natural. Even so, directing cold air into the engine compartment, while not "fake" seems gratuitous. But hey - I can't complain about that - I want racing stripes on my R56. How gratuitous is that?

 

I thought I read some where that the hood on an R56 S is slightly higher...? Without a duct forcing the air some place, I'd be cautious of opening up the scoop and allowing rain to be directed right onto the spark plugs.

 

wow, there are a lot of people on this thread with a lot of underlying problems !

 

it's just a f***ing hood scoop. get over it already!

 

I would gladly take a 'fake' hood scoop for:

-Shock towers that don't mushroom
-Better seats
-More horsepower
-Better gas mileage
-Better interior
-Keyless start/entry

etc.etc.

So what if it has become a design element? I also agree with other posters that directing air flow directly onto the turbo housing sound like a good idea. I wonder why it wasn't built that way from the factory?

 

Yeah, making the scoop functional would be a piece of cake. It's perfect for a cold air intake.

Look where the aibox is, up high in the rear. I won't be too tough to make an open-top replacement airbox cover (cone mass flow filter replacing the stock cartidge-style), with a funnel lip with a gasket that mated against the underside of the hood, riding over the top of the engine/valve cover area and lined up with the scoop. Basiclly shaped like a dustpan with a gastet along the top and a hole in the rear into the airbox funneling air directly to the new mass flow air filter (make sence?).

The only down side to my vision would be removing the new aibox top every time you had to service/access the top side of the car... but how hard is that, really?

It will be functional on some of 'em, for sure.

 

Yeeeesh.

I'm one that's bothered by the "fake scoop". In principle. In fact, it's one reason why I got a 4Runner Limited instead of a 4Runner Sport -- the Sport has a fake hood scoop. (And frankly, a fake hood scoop on an SUV is insane.)

Am I going to worry about it? No.

If I was going to worry about that, I'd start saying the Aero Kit was stupid, because it doesn't really do anything, it's mostly cosmetics. And paint. And bonnet stripes. Or OMG, I'm getting driving lights, that'll increase wind resistance and block airflow into the radiator!

And be honest -- how much genuine functionality is offered by the spoiler? Or the JCW cosmetic parts, including the spoiler? Or any number of other pure or mostly cosmetic things about the car, aftermarket or factory.

(Rhetorical question, for those playing at home...)

The scoop on the R53 was not just "functional" it was necessary. The R56 doesn't need a scoop because they intercooler in in a different place, so it's not like you're losing anything by the scoop being putatively non-functional.

Granted, it's as goofy as leaving the external radio antenna on the car when you have a window-mounted radio on the car, but is it really something to get worked up over?

 

that the turbo piping is going to put a heck of a lot of heat under the hood? And that flowing some fresh air through there will help to keep the rest of the stuff from cooking? As more and more are learning, with pumped up little motors, IAT management is real important. I'm sure that just getting the fresh air through the scoop will lower IATs a bit, and routing directly to the air box will help even more.

So high post count, and not a scoop hater!

Matt

 

That alone would makes it worthwhile...and the R56 MCSers will be the ones who have the last laugh. I love it!!!

 

Okay people, play nice.

The scoop might be decorative for now, but just leave it to some of the more creative people in the MINI community, and it will no doubt become worthwhile. Additional oil cooling, keeping temps down around the turbo, general fresh air for the engine compartment, etc, all good things.

Also, the market for Knight Rider scanning lights remains secure.

So, those bitching about the scoop, wanna make something of it (literally)?

 

Like the hood scoop...think it actually will cool things better as others have said. Looks good too. and it will undoubtedley be used in some future mods.

Also, while I'm not a frequent poster I have been on NAM longer than anyone on this thread, except for Dave, if that counts for something .

 

OK, everyone stop bickering for 5 minutes...I gotta get more popcorn.

 

Hood scoops rock, if they do something. Fakies for the sake of model differentiation is just silly.

I do look forward to seeing what Alta, M7, Pilo, Helix, Webb, etc. have got up their sleeves for routing cold air to the intake... That will make the scoop functional...

But anyway, NAM is plenty big enough for everyone's opinions. If you don't like someone's opinion, ignore it and move along.

No need to get confrontational.

 

Enthusiasts are just that enthusiastic!!!!! Some about the R50, some the 53 some the 56 and so on. Everybody has their preferance or combination of preferances. I pointed out a few months ago (and was summarily flamed for even suggesting it) that there will be enthusiasts of current models that will not like the new one. AND GUESS WHAT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE PEOPLE!!!!!!

I have found more and more here (NAM not this thread, and yes I know Rick) are seeing a conflicting veiw and taking it personally instead if being able to accept someone else has different preferences. (Y'all need to go watch the MINI ad where the cat and bulldog share the passneger seat and window happily) Mr. Kart couldn't be paid to own a 53 and thats ok I've got little intrest in owning a 56 and given the choice I prefer the 53 over the 50 but we've both managed not to have wonderful experiances on NAM and gotten to know each other in many conversations in the OT, we have different preferences but we both respect those choices and love MINIs so its never an issue. Stop taking it personally and respect each other. Its a new model the cars will be different not everybody will like it, and 56 owners I hope you bought the car for your enjoyment not to show off to the current generation of owners because while a MINI it is a different car.

And now back on topic, the MINI version of functionality

It's from MINI not me!!!

Play nice everybody