I think my hood scoop is melting...
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
I am just starting to get the melting hood scoop problem after owning the car for 4 months. The droop is not super noticeable yet but I don't want to replace the scoop with another plastic one if BMW doesn't do anything to fix the problem. My question is, since it doesn't look like most dealers are going to replace plastic hood scoops with carbon one, has anyone had any luck at least getting a discount on a carbon one. A new plastic scoop goes for about $80 (retail) and with paint and labor I would think the cost to the company would be at least $100 to $150. If I could get a dealer to sell me a carbon scoop less the cost to replace the defective one I would probably jump on it
And you think the plastic gets hot???? Wait until someone touches a couple hundred degree piece of metal.
Remember the lady that had the hot coffee spilled on her privates and had to have skin grafted? Wait until some amorous couple leans on the hood of a mini.... She's gonna have a horizontal welt built into her azz.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Deb, see my post above (#191). The chrome scoop is ABS plastic. The same as the stock scoop.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Just have the dealer replace the scoop with a new one under warranty (thats what I did). Hopefully, if enough of us get the scoops replaced under warranty (and keep having to since the new ones will melt as well), that will get MINI to do something about it in terms of a permanent fix. Why doesn't someone come out with a scoop made out of aluminum?
Agreed. When they have replaced too many under warranty, they will come up with a solution.
I like the idea of the bolt-on custom heat shield a vendor had on here, but I would want some input from MINI that its ok to use this shield while under warranty. It also appears there was a rubbing issue with the custom shield and the underside of the hood. I think the vendor is trying to fix right now.
Agreed. When they have replaced too many under warranty, they will come up with a solution.
I like the idea of the bolt-on custom heat shield a vendor had on here, but I would want some input from MINI that its ok to use this shield while under warranty. It also appears there was a rubbing issue with the custom shield and the underside of the hood. I think the vendor is trying to fix right now.
I like the idea of the bolt-on custom heat shield a vendor had on here, but I would want some input from MINI that its ok to use this shield while under warranty. It also appears there was a rubbing issue with the custom shield and the underside of the hood. I think the vendor is trying to fix right now.
Thanks,
Mark
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, VA
Blerg, do you guys think this is enough of a concern to purchase the $300 carbon scoop before I get my mini in September/October? I guess I won't be driving it in summer heat for almost a year - and it seems to be some combo of sun exposure and improper heat distribution that causes it, but... this way I'll be able to finance the hoodscoop!
Or am I being paranoid because I spend too much time reading the Stock Problems/Issues board?
Or am I being paranoid because I spend too much time reading the Stock Problems/Issues board?
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Check out M7 for the heat shield. I had one, but sent it back since I preferred to not have my hood paint being worn off down to the metal everytime I closed the hood. They are coming out with a redesigned one, so it may correct the problem.
I just got my M7 heatshield installed. It is one of the new shields with slotted holes. I checked clearances using modeling clay between the shield and hood. There is 1/4" of clearance at the closest point so there should be no rubbing issues with their new shield.
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I called my dealer last week when my hood release broke to make an appointment to have it fixed and also mentioned the scoop melting....they acted like this has never happened before (not the best acting though). Today they took one look at it and ordered me a new one.....hopefully mini will get tired of giving away scoops soon and come up with a better fix.
Thanks for the heads up, I missed the post or I would have responded sooner.
Thanks again,
Mark
Leave the clay on
Good luck!
Matt
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Hurricane Alley
Yesterday I noticed my hood scoop is starting to deform. Sagging on top...in the middle. 2008 MCS, 4 months old, 2500 miles.
Anybody had luck with dealer replacing and successfully matching paint?
Anybody had luck with dealer replacing and successfully matching paint?
How did you open your scoop? I just did mine and opened all the little holes one at a time.
Not sure if it's going to make a difference but we'll see.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 1
I stopped by Desert BMW to see what used minis they have on the lot, here is a couple of pictures from a used MINI Clubman for sale.... Its prety obivous the scoop is melting on a very NEW car!. Also hard to believe a Clubman already 4 sale on the used car lot????
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
[quote=orangecrush;2458632]How did you open your scoop? I just did mine and opened all the little holes one at a time.
Not sure if it's going to make a difference but we'll see.
My newly opened scoop looks just like this picture and I used the same tools, it is not perfect but hard to notice unless you are looking for it. A lot better than a melted scoop, if it works...
Not sure if it's going to make a difference but we'll see.
My newly opened scoop looks just like this picture and I used the same tools, it is not perfect but hard to notice unless you are looking for it. A lot better than a melted scoop, if it works...
Hot Chocolate Clubman, 6 months old, 11K miles. The dealer calls start tomorrow. 
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Hurricane Alley
This is exactly what mine looks like.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Playa Vista, CA
If you drill the holes... how about water going in.. raining or washing car... do you think it will be ok?? ill just drill the hole thing out.. hahah and add a mesh grill from home depot.. lol
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Mine's not quite that bad, but a photo would show it if taken at the same angle. I'm over half way through the warranty (by miles). I don't know if I should bug for a replacement, drill, pull out the screen, change to carbon fiber, or what.
It's like the arm rest problem. It slides open super easily--rest your arm on it and it opens. I had the original one replaced for this problem; less than a year later this one is exactly the same. They won't pay for the "clam-shell" type that is available in Europe.
It's like the arm rest problem. It slides open super easily--rest your arm on it and it opens. I had the original one replaced for this problem; less than a year later this one is exactly the same. They won't pay for the "clam-shell" type that is available in Europe.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
My dealer just called to let me know that I will be getting a "new" scoop this week. They have received it and it is being painted now. According to the dealer the "new" scoop is made from a plastic which should no longer melt. I'll keep youse guys posted...
The "new" scoop your dealer is putting on, do you have a part number or bulletin? I called my dealer and they had neither.
I most certainly don't want them to order another one and have it do the same thing.
Thanks,
Mark