That would be a good possible use for the hood scoop, but there are no wires going to the hood. I plan to find the pedestrian alert emitter (a speaker, I expect) somewhere low in the front end. Because the pitch of the pedestrian alert varies with speed, I believe the SE's computer generates the waveform that is emitted by the speaker. I love the way Harry Metcalfe starts off his YouTube video test of the SE by reversing, then quickly zooming forwards to highlight the pedestrian alert sound.
Definitely looks better (and more like the classic Mini) without. I feel the same on the factory paint supply issue. Maybe if a perfect match can't be found one could feather it in with something similar to this:I tried a quick duct-tape fix, but somehow it just didn't look right to me. This fix might have circumvented the waterfall when opening the hood after a rain, but I'd probably have to change the duct tape every year or so. That's too much trouble. So today I took my car to the body shop to paint and install the scoopless MINI Cooper hood I ordered. By Friday I'll have a MINI Cooper SE that looks like the one Design Studio MINI handed over to Marketing last year.
I was surprised to learn that BMW/MINI doesn't sell paint. Wouldn't they be able to charge double the price of generic paint for genuine factory Moonwalk Grey Metallic? I guess they think selling paint would be too much trouble--or else they don't want to see their paint on non BMW/MINI cars. So my favorite body shop will use their considerable expertise to match the paint, but it still might require feathering the hood color onto the fenders to insure it looks consistent.
LOL! I don't want flames coming out of my electric MINI!Definitely looks better (and more like the classic Mini) without. I feel the same on the factory paint supply issue. Maybe if a perfect match can't be found one could feather it in with something similar to this:
http://www.cuttingedgegraphics.net/Pictures/Dealerships/Mini-Flames-1.jpg
I guess lightning bolts would better serve the application
You are a smarter, more rational person than me. I can't really defend my decision, but I still don't regret it. I spent lots of time using Photoshop to simulate some kind of hood-scoop plug--nothing could match the simple beauty of the base MINI Cooper's hood. I also considered adding Knight Rider-style scanning LEDs inside the scoop to emphasize the electricity of my SE. Too gimmicky.
"Determination is doing what needs to be done, even when you don't feel like doing it"
I just lost my appetite...You must have nerves of steel.This morning I took a stroll downtown to the body shop. I probably shouldn't have because now I cannot un-see my distressed MINI Cooper SE.
It was a surprise to discover how much stuff (eg. side scuttles, grille, and bumper) the shop needed to remove to properly blend the newly painted scoopless hood in with the front fenders (and doors?). I guess I'm glad there will be no over-spray appearing on those removed components. Still, it's tough to see my week-old MINI Cooper in such a state of undress. I know, I know, it was my compulsive decision to exorcise the fake hood-scoop, not anybody else's.
I wish MINI would have taken the $1,500 I offered to have the less-expensive, scoopless hood installed before my car's body was painted. How would that switch be any more difficult than the zero-cost/zero-rebate sunroof-delete option they offer? If not for COVID-19, I might have been able to save money and get factory paint by flying to the UK and seeking out the right person at Plant Oxford to bribe.
And a closeup of the wires leading to it's connector.
I'll ask the body shop to look for the noise-maker and take photos. I must admit in my brief 150 miles, I've come to like the SE's speed-sensitive pedestrian warning sound more the chorus of electronic angels singing out from under our Honda Clarity's hood.And a closeup of the wires leading to it's connector.
(for future reference of course)
I called it "the moaning ghosts" sound until I did this:
Thank you for asking. I hate to go on-and-on about my Quixotic vanity project, but since you asked...The "3 to 4 day" job is now starting its third week! MINI Connected told me my SE was locked, so I assumed correctly that it was outside. So I walked about a mile to the downtown body shop and was happy to see the hood was in place, but still without the gorgeous MINI wings at the front. One of my problems with the hood scoop is that it overshadows the nearby MINI logo, which I believe should stand proudly alone on the hood. I'll get the complete story about the delay when I retrieve it, hopefully in the next couple of days.
I have to say that looks really good! Now let's see if you get slightly longer range.Thank you for asking. I hate to go on-and-on about my Quixotic vanity project, but since you asked...The "3 to 4 day" job is now starting its third week! MINI Connected told me my SE was locked, so I assumed correctly that it was outside. So I walked about a mile to the downtown body shop and was happy to see the hood was in place, but still without the gorgeous MINI wings at the front. One of my problems with the hood scoop is that it overshadows the nearby MINI logo, which I believe should stand proudly alone on the hood. I'll get the complete story about the delay when I retrieve it, hopefully in the next couple of days.
