I thought it would be easy to find, but I haven't seen a photo of the stock engine bay on a 2009 MCS R57 (no JCW upgrades).

I even looked for pictures showing sway bars and struts. My issue is that I think the dealer kept my engine cover. I can't prove I had one to begin with but the car has some open screw holes that make me think there was one there to begin with: (see attachment below with triangles pointing to the open screw holes)

So, post some pictures of your engine bays just so we can have that collection here if people are interested. Of course, I am especially interested in seeing the 2009 R57 engine bay to see if it came with a cover. If you have this MINI, please take a moment to shoot a photo and upload here. I appreciate it!

 

I have the same question!! Hopefully an original owner can post up a pic.

 

Btw mine looks like yours except you are missing the mini emblem.
I will post up mine tonight so you can compare.

 

JT//MC thanks for your post. You are right about the mini emblem. That's what's missing. I had my car in for regular service and in May, I went in to have tires rotated and balanced. Service Rep asked if I was having any cold start issues. I let him know I did during winter and only every now and then did it happen now in spring. That was enough for him to order the timing chain be replaced.
Turns out when you have that done, they replaced the cover that carries the MINI emblem as well. The new parts don't come with the MINI emblem. However, since my car did have one to start with and the MINI is still under warranty...he ordered an emblem to be put on the cover. Do I really need it? No. Am I going to have it put on...yes.

So I was also told that because the spark plugs stick up as they do on the 2009 models, that's why the cover is small. He took me into the bay area of the shop and let me see some older and newer MINI engine bays as they were being serviced. The newer MINIs have spark plugs that are lower into the engine and the new cover actually covers them. The MINI emblem is back on the cover for these models. Once I have the new emblem installed. I'll post again.