Mini Cooper S R55 R56 Air Inlet Grille Bonnet Hood Sparkling Silver 2751736

Visual condition of the part

The product shows signs of use visible in the photos.

Mini Cooper S R55 R56 Air Inlet Grille Bonnet Hood Sparkling Silver is an original component from the Grilles and radiator covers group, designed for installation in the front part of the bodywork. Finished in an attractive Sparkling Silver Metallic - A60 color, it allows for restoring the consistent look of the hood and proper airflow to the engine compartment in the sporty Mini Cooper S versions.

Specifications and technical data

• SKU: P0430302-SS
• Mark: Mini (Genuine OE)
• Condition: Used
• OEM Part Number: 0430302
• Substitutable numbers: 2757697, 51132757697, 2751736, 51132751736, 0430302, 51130430302
• Location on the vehicle: Front
• Color: Sparkling Silver Metallic - A60
• Category: Grilles

Purpose and function of the air inlet

The presented air inlet is a component mounted in the front part of the hood, in the area responsible for supplying air to the engine compartment and for the characteristic, dynamic look of the Mini Cooper S. As a part from the Grilles and radiator covers group, it contributes to the front section of the body, influencing both the aesthetics and the functionality of the cooling system.

A properly selected air inlet helps maintain:

• a consistent, factory design of the hood in Cooper S R55 and R56 versions,
• proper airflow guidance towards the radiator and engine compartment,
• an aesthetic finish of the vehicle's front after body and paint repairs.

Color and visual matching

The Sparkling Silver Metallic - A60 color is a characteristic, metallic shade used in the Mini range, which allows for visually matching the inlet to the originally painted hood. Thanks to this, the element integrates well with the body line, reducing the need for additional paint work, provided the vehicle has the same paint code.

Choosing an inlet in this color is particularly beneficial for:

• local hood repairs after minor collisions,
• replacing a missing element after disassembly or damage,
• maintaining visual consistency in vehicles kept in their original paint specification.

Installation characteristics and condition

The element is designed for installation in the front part of the vehicle, in the place of the factory hood air inlet in the R55/R56 generation Mini Cooper S. As a used part, it comes from disassembly, which allows for maintaining the original geometry and fitment with the hood and adjacent components. Such OEM components usually provide better fitment than replacements, which facilitates installation and reduces the need for additional adjustments.

Before installation, it is recommended to perform a standard verification of visual compatibility with the hood and check the mounting points to ensure stable seating of the inlet and no looseness during vehicle operation.

Application in Mini repairs and upgrades

The hood air inlet in the Cooper S version is often used both for post-accident repairs and for restoring the car's original look after previous modifications. Thanks to its factory styling, it allows for restoring the characteristic, sporty front of the Mini without interfering with the hood structure.

This solution will work particularly well when:

• it is necessary to replace a damaged inlet after a collision or cracking,
• the car was operated without the original element and the owner wants to return to the factory look,
• the priority is to maintain the original body lines and compatibility with other front-end elements.

Support with selection and related parts

If you are planning a comprehensive repair or upgrade of the front body area in your Mini and need other elements from the same group, such as grilles, radiator covers, or additional inlets, check the available parts in the Mini Grilles and radiator covers category.

In situations where original parts are no longer available in the authorized service network, it is worth considering professional parts from disassembly. To better understand how to effectively use such components when repairing older models, check out the guide: No parts at the dealership? How to deal with repairing older models using parts from disassembly.