Sections: MF Mailbox, Sales, Video Jul 4th, 2008 13 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!
Sections: Reviews Jul 3rd, 2008 16 Comments 
It doesn’t get much further removed from the MINI than a $60k BMW M3 sedan, but think of them as kindred spirits. And the M3 is one of those “it” cars for 2008 that simply makes for a fun review and a good comparison to the small car we all love. As you may have guessed it, our sister site BimmerFile was able to get their hands on an M3 sedan for a full week’s test. A highly recommended read if you’re at all interested in one of the ultimate sports sedans out there.
Sections: R60 (Colorado) Jul 2nd, 2008 41 Comments 
More information about the MINI that everyone loves to hate is being reported by Leftlane news among other outlets.
The upcoming Mini SUV, thus far dubbed Sports Activity Vehicle, or SAV, is likely to be the basis for a front-wheel drive hatchback in order to keep costs down, today’s reports say. The SAV is due to debut at the Paris motor show this October, though the brand’s biggest hatch isn’t likely to come out until 2012.
continued →
Sections: JCW, MTTS Jul 2nd, 2008 13 Comments 
After quite a bit of feedback from attendees at both MTTS Miami and Boston, MINIUSA will be making a few minor changes to the Chicago and LA events.
They are still working on LA, but for Chicago, the Sunday events will be trimmed down at Road America. The early word is that the party will head back down to the Chicago area mid day on Sunday for a wrap up and a pleasant surprise at our good friends Ridemakerz. That will still allow plenty of time Sunday morning for you to get some seat time in the Factory JCW MINI at Road America! In addition, for those Chicago-landers who couldn’t make it up to Road America, this will, potentially, allow another local opportunity to get in on the fun.
You already knew about the Factory JCW MINIs being available to drive, right? MINIUSA felt bad that Rauno was not going to make all 4 MTTS venue’s, so Chicago and LA will have a limited number of these special MINIs available to you to drive. Win win in my book.
Sections: Best of the Web, Safety Jul 2nd, 2008 18 Comments Washington and California joined the ranks of about 30 other states yesterday banning the use of cellular phones while driving.
The new laws are almost identical in both states, with California having stiffer rules for those under 18 and Washington having a total ban on text messaging too (since Jan 1).
The good lads at Jalopnik did a great break down of the new laws in both states.
Sections: Sales Jul 2nd, 2008 3 Comments 
MINI USA Press Release MINI USA reported sales of 5,211 cars, a 24.8 percent increase compared to 4,174 cars sold in the same period a year ago. Year-to date, MINI USA also reported sales of 26,400 cars, an increase of 33.6 percent over the 19,759 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.
“The last three months have been the best in our history as the significant structural shift to small cars has brought into our dealerships a diverse range of vehicle owners that currently drive large cars, SUVs and trucks. Our retailers tell us these people recognize the combination of efficiency, great dynamics and premium values MINI provides and it allows them to downsize their vehicle without downsizing their aspirations,” said Jim McDowell, Vice-President MINI USA. continued →
Sections: In the Press, Official News, R55 Jul 1st, 2008 3 Comments 
MINI Press Release. A MINI Clubman designed inside and out as a pleasure palace by British avant-garde lingerie maker Agent Provocateur for the annual Life Ball charity in Vienna, Austria, has been sold on eBay for $73,388 (e45,000). This is the eighth year MINI has supported the event with a vehicle which was subsequently sold on the on-line auction company’s site. In total the cars have raised in excess of $495,726.94c (e304,002) to go towards HIV/AIDS research.
Sections: JCW, MTTS, Podcast Jul 1st, 2008 14 Comments 
The JCW Show! We talk about the Factory JCW, the JCW Challenge Car and I give my thoughts on the R53 vs R56.
See that R/C car up there? Ridemakerz are only making a limited number of them, and they will only be available at the last 2 MTTS events!
Speaking of limited number, Todd is also selling a very limited edition Motoringbadge that is also only available on-site at MTTS. If you want one, you’d better find him early ’cause they go quick!
Woofcast 254:
Sections: JCW, MF Feature, Motorsports, R56 Jun 30th, 2008 24 Comments
While at MINI Takes the States in Boston, I had the opportunity to crawl in, on and around the JCW Challenge Race Car with camera in hand. While I was taking photos, I also got some great information.
Mechanically, this is a Factory JCW MINI. The engine, transmission and clutch are from the Factory car you’ll be able to buy later this month. The brakes are the same 4 piston brakes of the JCW car. The wheels are OEM JCW wheels that you will be able to order with your Factory JCW car.
Once this car is built, it’s sent out “body in white” for it to become a race car. The interior is completely stripped except parts of the dash and the emergency brake boot (which is odd) and all of the safety equipment is installed. One feature that I wasn’t familiar with is the air jacks. There is a quick-release air jack in the boot where you plug in an air hose and the entire car raises. A nice feature for a race car to be sure.
Sections: R55 Jun 30th, 2008 9 Comments 
CNN Money, as they like to do, has compiled another list of cars. This time based on JD Powers surveys taken within the first 90 days of ownership of a car.
Buyers are surveyed within 90 days of purchasing their new autos. They’re asked about 80 different vehicle attributes. Historically, cars that score high on this survey tend to sell well without needing heavy incentives, according to J.D. Power.
Sections: Podcast Jun 29th, 2008 4 Comments News of the week from Motoringfile.com, but since it was mostly MTTS related, we recapped the week instead.
We had a great week and you’ve seen most of it. To recap, we posted over 700 photos, over an hour of video and almost 2 hour of audio! Thanks everyone for checking it out or coming by to say during the event. It was great to meet you all!
Planning to attend Chicago or LA? Don’t forget to register. They also posted quite a few updates during Miami and Boston that you can see here.
Sections: Efficiency, R56 Jun 28th, 2008 13 Comments 
With more and more people trying to get into more fuel efficient cars, resale values of used cars is going up. From Forbes.com.
It’s not just used hybrids seeing a price increase, however. This year’s Mini Cooper buyers expecting to find a lower-priced used 2007 Mini were in for a big surprise. They paid, on average, $2,300 more for a used Mini in mid-June, a 12% increase over the average transaction price on Jan. 1 of this year. The car has proved its value during the past six months; it gets an average EPA estimated 29 mpg.
continued →
Sections: JCW, MTTS, R56, Video Jun 27th, 2008 36 Comments You heard the audio and read Todd’s thoughts about it, but I also got it on video! Enjoy.
Updated by request. This version has no music. Enjoy. continued →
Sections: MTTS, Video Jun 27th, 2008 6 Comments
Another great event put on by MINI USA! This time, the venue changed to the campus of the University of Massachusetts.
It was kicked off Saturday morning with a meetup and drive starting at Pier 4, up to Gloucester and back to the UMASS campus. I think there were over 300 MINIs for this run, so traffic was a little slow. But, surrounded by MINIs, it wasn’t so bad. continued →
Sections: MINI Competitors, Reviews Jun 26th, 2008 7 Comments 
The 135i may not be a MINI, but it’s one of the most talked about cars of the moment on MotoringFile and our sister publication BimmerFile just wrapped up a full week’s worth of driving it. A highly recommended read if you’re at all interested in the smallest of BMWs and (dare we say it) the most MINI like.
Copyright © 2002-2007 Gabriel Bridger