they are indeed blocked off. go check one out at a dealer. they look, however, to be easily removeable to feed cooling air to the engine bay

 

It has been reported here that the early ones were completely blocked, but more recent ones are partially open.

The signature photo for colea (although a carbon fiber scoop) shows a partially open grill in the scoop.

 

Mine is partially open. Picked it up 4/21

 

The only thing sillier than designing in a phony sealed scoop is for BMW to partially open it a few months into production to give it some sort of technical justification. I think it's more motivated by Mini marketing than BMW engineering.

 

There are so many things on the MINI (as well as other cars) that are for show, I think it's rediculous to pick on the hood scoop. Does anyone think the spoiler really does anything for performance?

 

Can't say for sure, but I know the car feels very stable at 110

 

So someone please just tell me:

Do British R56's have a burble or not????????

 

Yes, in fact the rear spoiler in the new and old S do serve a purpose, and that is, to keep the rear of the car firmly planted to the road by allowing air to downforce it at higher speeds.

 

Hi, yes they do. Here is a YouTube.com video of the exhaust burbles on an Euro Spec R56 MCS: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BLnoDTHnAGQ I believe this was in Spain. Cheers, Otto

 

Thanks. Then there still is hope. Yes!

//Looking forward to a burble in my NEXT MCS.....coming sometime in 2011.

 

In fact, the car cannot go fast enough for that spoiler to have made any positive difference. Actually, the spoiler has the negative impact of creating drag. If you look at functional spoilers on real race vehicles, you will notice they have much larger surface and are not practically flush with the body.

 

Burble is caused by less than optimal tuning. Sure it's a cool sound, but I like the sound of my S and prefer proper tuning.

 

I'm of the opinion that the spoilers on are little cars are there to make them look cool. Little more than the equivalent of jewelry on your car.

I agree, a properly tuned car shouldn't burble. But I do have to say that my R53 MCS bubbles & I like the sound. Reminds me of my old race cars leaky exhaust.

 

But it gives the car character. I often drive mine with the windows down and the radio turned off just to be able to capture the burble sounds! It is intoxicating.

 

By 2011 a R56 replacement will be pretty much production ready.

 

This is true. I can understand that. But, I'd prefer to have proper tuning. I could see a burble button, but wouldn't want it permanently de-tuned into my car.

 

Another good burble video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8C_C-xOYGo0

I would like the option to return the burble. From what I understand, it was programmed out of the US spec MINI due to the customer complaints as mentioned above. I wouldn't complain if it was there. I promise.

 

Agree 110% with LynnEl. The fuel rich mixture may not matter in terms of efficiency as pointed out by the mpg ratings before and after in the last generation mcs, but the less than optimal mixture will contribute to higher emissions of unburned (HCs), nitrous oxides, etc. It is no wonder the previous generation had a very poor emissions rating, where as this generation is drastically improved and in line with other cars.