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Section: MF Mailbox

The MINI D in the US, Part II

MotoringFile Sections: Efficiency, MF Mailbox Jul 14th, 2008 23 Comments

Bosch sure is being generous with it’s handing out of the test drives on the MINI Cooper D they have in the US for testing. This time, NextAutos gets a shot.

We at Winding Road and NextAutos are always eager to test the diesel offerings from global manufacturers and we were grinning with excitement when the folks at Bosch offered us the keys to a Mini Cooper with a 1.6-liter diesel engine. According to Bosch, this Mini will achieve fuel economy numbers in upwards of 50 miles per gallon, which will shame many hybrid offerings currently sold in the States.

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Electric MINIs coming to the States?

MotoringFile Sections: Efficiency, MF Mailbox, Rumor Jul 9th, 2008 40 Comments

According to Autoweek, BMW plans to build a few electric MINIs and send them to the states to help meet the need for zero-emissions vehicles sold in California.

BMW plans to export nearly 500 electric versions of its Mini car to California, company sources said.

The electric Minis are being built at the Mini factory in Oxford, England, without engines, gearboxes or fuel tanks, then shipped to Munich, Germany, where they are being fitted with electric powertrains.

BMW sources told Automotive News Europe that 490 of the Minis will be leased to selected customers in California and 10 will be used as show cars.

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Knauz MINI

MINI USA VP on Fox News

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox, Sales, Video Jul 4th, 2008 27 Comments

Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA on a recent episode of Fox News talking about MINI sales, what’s getting traded in and who is driving the cars.

Thanks Adam for sending this in!

MINI Cooper Weiner Mobile

MotoringFile Sections: Best of the Web, MF Mailbox, R53 Mar 15th, 2008 26 Comments

picture-2.pngWe all know the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile, right? A giant motor-home shaped like a hot dog in a bun, painted the colors of mustard and ketchup.

Well, someone over there thought it would be neat-o to give that same treatment to a MINI Cooper S. Same bubble top, same mustard and ketchup paint scheme, but this time, with chrome S-Lites. Bonus, we even have video of it from Good Morning America!

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MINI of Manhattan

Holiday Greetings from MINI’s Design Team

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox Dec 23rd, 2007 24 Comments

Usually when we get cards around this time of the year from friends in the MINI world, we’re not asked to share them with our readers. However the card (seen above) we received recently was created for MotoringFile and its readers by none other than MINI Design in Munich.

One of my favorite MINI related memories of the year was getting know some of the talented people at MINI design at MINI United this summer. However it wasn’t just meeting them that was the highlight. It was finding that they are open and self-effacing people who are genuinely enthusiastic about the MINI and about automobiles in general. Or in other words, they’re enthusiasts like all of us.

So on behalf of our readers out there, I’d like to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the talented people at MINI Design and everyone who works so hard to create the cars we love to talk about.

(Click the image for a larger 1200 x 1600 version)

The Clubman Photoshopping Has Begun

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox, R56 Sep 13th, 2007 14 Comments

Worth a look if you’re a potential (mod happy) Clubman owner.

[ Clubman Photoshopping Contest ] Motoringunderground.com

M7 Tuning

Upcoming Event: Rolex Vintage Festival

MotoringFile Sections: Events, MF Mailbox Aug 17th, 2007 6 Comments

rolex_vintage03__2_.jpg Summer is winding down. Vacation time is almost all used up and school is going back in session. You do have one more chance to check out a great event in your MINI!

Motoringfile Sponsor MINI of Manhattan is arranging unofficial MINI hospitality at this years Rolex Vintage Festival at Limerock Park which is going on August 31st through September 3rd.

The event is the Rolex Vintage Festival, and I am working with the staff at LRP to arrange “unofficial” MINI hospitality (MINIUSA will not have a formal presence this year). They are going to be setting up a corral for us on Monday for the races, as well as offering discounted tickets for pre-purchase.

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Reader Review: R56 iPod Adapter

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox, R56, Reviews Jul 15th, 2007 20 Comments

For those of you wondering about the OEM iPod Adapter and how the installation goes, MF reader Stephen Phillips has you covered with this great review!

One of the unfortunate side effects for those of us who took early or first delivery of a 2007 Mini was the lack of accessories that could be included in the car at the time of ordering. One of the biggest areas that seemed to have no options available was in the audio department. The prospect of receiving the next generation iPod adapter seemed a daunting task. Luckily, my salesmen, Dave, assured me that as soon as it was available, he would notify me. Late May, nearly four months after taking delivery, they became available and I began my quest to have the iPod adapter installed in my R56 Cooper S.

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MINI Magnetic Badges

MF Exclusive: The MINI Incident (Video)

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox, Video Jul 13th, 2007 14 Comments

Sent in by daily Motoringfile reader David Sims

Last May, Brian Mathis and I drove my 2004 MINI Cooper S in the Nevada Open Road Challenge, better known as the Silver State Classic. That’s the “high speed rally” where you drive as fast as you want on a Nevada public highway for 90 miles.

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Lack of UK Delivery Option for the MINI

MotoringFile Sections: Best of the Web, In the Press, MF Mailbox, Sales Jul 12th, 2007 23 Comments

Most everyone knows this already. You want a MINI. You want to pick it up at the factory, cruise around the UK or Europe for a spell, load it on a boat and bring it home. Think again. However MSNBC has some fresh info on the idea of MINI UK delivery (for those located outside Britain) and how it relates to what other manufacturers are doing.

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More R/C MINIs

MotoringFile Sections: Best of the Web, MF Mailbox Oct 28th, 2006 6 Comments

We’re you one of the unfortunate that was not able to get a GP? Remote control car maker Carisma has you covered.

gprc5.jpg gprc2.jpg gprc4.jpg

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Counterfeit MINIs

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox Oct 28th, 2006 12 Comments

mini_opti.jpg

But not like you have ever seen before. There is a Japanese company that makes a Kei car, as well as the newly introduced Suzuki MR Wagon, look like a MINI or VW Beetle.

Blog Auto already leaned on several occasions on this strange propensity of the Japanese to disguise their cars in the other cars. A recent mania which must be connected in the psychÒ© national one with this other hobby popular, the cosplay, which a pleasure will be made of explaining you in detail the amateur of mangas of your entourage. Always it is that the discovery of today is a new manifestion of this phenomenon, with the company ESB STYLE which claims this time to graft an air of BMW Mini to various kei, of which the news Suzuki MR. Wagon and Mitsubishi older.

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John Cooper Garages Closed

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox, Official News Oct 17th, 2006 6 Comments

From johncooper.co.uk:

John Cooper Garages will be closed throughout October 2006 due to reorganisation. Unfortunately we cannot be contacted (phone or e-mail) during this time and it will not be possible to place internet or mail orders.

Normal service will resume on 1st November 2006 and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Related:

[ Channel 4 reports on JCG Closure ] Motoringfile

[John Cooper Garage Closes Shop ] Motoringfile

MF Reader on the ‘Ring

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox, Video Sep 22nd, 2006 32 Comments

This Friday brings us Motoringfile reader Andrea Gritta, who writes:

I’ve been at the Nurburgring the previous weekend, and I’ve made a new personal record. Check out my lap if you’ve got time:

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The MF Mailbox: The 140hp Cooper?

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox, R56 Aug 17th, 2005 21 Comments

Another from the MotoringFile mailbox that I thought a few might be interested in. We’ve gotten a few of these questions over the months about the potential for a new mid-range Cooper with the introduction of the next generation MINI. For those that don’t know, the new 4 cylinder family of engines (designed by BMW, planned by PSA and built in the UK) destined for the R56 feature a mid-range naturally aspirated 140hp engine. It would seem quite a few have taken a special interest in this engine and are hoping to see MINI offer it in conjunction with the new 115hp and 170hp powerplants also scheduled. Here’s the question (from Craig):

My concern is whether they are planning on incuding the 143hp engine in the MINI COOPER for 2007. I have put off ordering my next MINI because I wanted more power and like the style of the MINI COOPER a bit better than the “S”. Although if this is not to be the case for 2007, I am leaning more and more with each passing day on a 2006 MCS.

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Previous Select MF Features

2007
MINI Officially Updates Line-up for 2008
New Models & Production Locations Confirmed
MotoringFile's MINI United Coverage
2007 JCW Kit Officially Announced
MINI's Top Secret Colorado Project
2009 Factory JCW MCS (Stage II)
More MINI Variants Officially Confirmed
MINI Clubman Official Photos and Specs
R56 Pedestrian Crash Analysis
Future JCW Vehicles Revealed
MINI USA's Motorby Pilot Program
MINI Clubman Update & Sketch
BMW To Re-Brand JCW
2007 MINI MotoringFile Q&A
MINI One and MINI Cooper D Now Official
2007 MINI Reader Reviews
2007 MINI USA Pricing and Options
MINI Unveils the Sidewalk

2006
MF Design Analysis: 2007 MINI
2007 JCW Accessories Revealed
MINI Names the R55: The Clubman 2007 MINI In Detail (Part 2 / Part 3)
2007 MINI Official Photos (Part 2 / Part 3)
2007 MINI Drops Weight
Official 2007 MINI UK PDFs
2007 Nav Includes iDrive-Like Controller
2007 US Market Options Packages
Hey Stracco: The Interview
Let's Plan: MINI Clubs & MTTS
MINI's Official R56 Preview Photos
MINI's Official R56 Preview
Next Generation MINI Revealed (#2)
'07 MC & MCS Spotted in Death Valley
2007 MINI Color List (US Market)
'07 MINI Gets More Power/Less Weight
MF Review: MINIs on the Dragon
MINI USA Releases JCW GP Pricing
JCW Cooper S Long Term Review
Seven New Colors for 2007
MINI Release Info on Next Gen Engines
Chicago Autoshow Gallery
JCW GP at Geneva (final release info)
2006 JCW Product Info
MINI Concept Detroit - In Detail
MINI Sourced Triump Still Years Away
US Connection for MINI's new Roadster
First MINI Now Triumph?
More News on the MINI Triumph Concept

2005
Behind the Wheel of the 2007 MINI
MINI Concept Tokyo - In Detail
MINI Concept Frankfurt - In Detail
Driven: The Nürburgring Nordschleife
MINI Wins at Targe Newfoundland
2006 JCW Accessories
US Market Color Changes for 2006
Getrag's All Wheel Drive MINI In Depth
BMW/MINI to Buy JCW?
Official 2006 MINIUSA Pricing
Special Editions/Package for 2006
Checkmate Options Package (USA)
JCW Direct From to the Factory in '06
Tips on How to Sell Your MINI
2006 Model Year Timeline
MINI's 2006 Color Changes
Next Generation MINI Revealed
Official MINI Armrest Revealed
MotoringFile Review: MCS Auto

2004
Details on the MCS Limited Slip Dif
MotoringFile 2004 Holiday Gift Guide
Getrag Tests All-Wheel Drive MINI
Q&A on the OutMotoring ARC Armrest
2005 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery
MINI USA's JCW GP Delivery Program
2005 MINI Changes
The Cabrio In Depth / Gallery
Special Edition MC40 / Gallery
MINI Plant Tour Review
Hood Rub Service Bulletin
2004 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery

2003
MINI Accessory Additions for 2004
CVT Paddles Retrofit
2005 MINI Spotted
Rear Fogs Almost Here
New Prince Engine Caught Testing
MINI Releases Hood Rub Bulletin
MINI_Motion Launched
MINI Conquers Snow and Ice
MINI One D Announced
MINI Named North American Car of the Year
Otto's MINI
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MotoringFile Buyers Guides

R50 ('02-'06 MC) Buyers Guide
R53 ('02-'06 MCS) Buyers Guide

MotoringFile Reviews

Auto Reviews:
'08 Clubman S (Auto)
1st Drive: '08 MINI Clubman
Comparison: '08 BMW 135i
'06 R53 MCS vs '07 R56 MCS
'07 R56 JCW (Stage 1)
'07 MINI Cooper S Long Term
'07 BMW Z4 M Coupe
'07 MINI Cooper & Cooper S
Audio: '07 MC/MCS at the Track
'06 JCW GP Long term
Reader Review: JCW GP
'06 JCW Cooper S Long Term
Comparison: '06 Lotus Elise
Comparison: '06 Mazda MX5
Comparison: '06 UK Focus ST
Comparison: '06 Civic Si
Comparison: '04 TVR T350
Comparison: '06 Nissan 350z
Comparison: '06 VW GTI w/DSG
Podcast: Cooper S Auto
Podcast: BMW 325i
Podcast: JCW MC Soundkit
'04 JCW MINI Cooper Tuning Kit
'05 MCS: One Month Review
'05 MCS Auto
'05 JCW S 1st Drive
'05 MINI Cooper
'05 MCS Conv. Long Term
'05 MINI Cooper S
'05 MCS Cabrio 1st Drive
'04 JCW MCS First Drive
'04 MC w/JCW Tuning Kit
BMW M3 SMG Vs. MCS
'04 MINI Cooper CVT
'02 MCS 3 year Review
Autocrossing the MINI Range

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Performance Accessories:
R56 JCW Suspension (Track)
R56 JCW Suspension (Street)
R53 Craven Speed Short Shifter
R53 M7 Understrut System
Kumho Ecsta SPT Tires
R53 M7 Strut Tower Plates
R53 JCW Alcantara Wheel
R53 JCW Brake Kit
R53 Webb 15% Pulley
R53 Helix MCSa 15% Pulley
R53 H-Sport 19mm Sway Bar
R53 MCS Supersprint Exhaust
Podcast: R53 MCS SS Exhaust
R53 JCW Cold Air Intake
Reader Rev.: R53 JCW Brakes
R50 Supersprint Exhaust
R50 Remus Exhaust
R50 Promini Intake
R50 Remus Dual Exhaust
Schroth Harness System
R50 CVT Steering Wheel Paddles

Exterior Accessories:
Miniature's Receiver Hitch
OEM White Tail Lights

Lifestyle Accessories:
MINI_Motion Watch
MINI_Motion Driving Shoe

Audio:
MINI Digital SoundModul
ICE-Link Plus iPod Adapter
Official BMW/iPod adapter
ICE-Link iPod Adapter
Kenwood iPod Interface
Alpine iPod Interface
Harman Kardon Stereo

Interior Accessories:
JCW Alcantara Steering Wheel JCW Leather Dash
MCAW Auto Up Circuit
MINI Rear Camera
MINI Rear Saddle (official)
MINI Rear Cargo Storage Case
Official MINI Rear Saddle Bag
2004 MINI Armrest Reviewed
Mymini Knee Pad
MINI Bluetooth Kit
MINI Video Input
Aftermarket Bluetooth Integration
Ian Cull Auto-up Circuit
Universal Mobile Phone Holder

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MINI Model Number Cheat Sheet:

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Coupe
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Coupe
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: One/MC/MCS Coupe
R57: One/MC/MCS Convt.
R60: MINI SUV