I live far from a Mini dealer, and had one coil fail this winter (~37,000 miles on 2013 base Countryman, manual). Even though these are covered by an extended warranty, it did me no good because a non-Mini coil was used locally (I had tried to get Mini to cover it, they wouldn't). I decided to change all of them with new Mini coils as a preventive measure and not be stuck on a rural road, and they are pretty cheap from Mini of Peabody parts ($63.64 each). The new coils have a different part number (Mini of Peabody had told me that when I ordered, this is an improved version), and have what looks a 3 layer metal shield on the coil. The old ones were just plastic. However, there was already a metal shield in the hole above the spark plug when the coil is out. They seem firmly in there. I asked Mini parts Peabody if I can just put the new ones in, leaving the original shield. There is plenty of room, not a tight fit at all. They said that was fine.

Does anyone know what these metal shields do, and is leaving the original ok?

 

What was the part# of the new coils you picked up from MINI ?

 

Part #12138647689