Sections: Uncategorized Aug 30th, 2003 2 Comments Bridger.us/MINI will once again be taking a little break over the holiday weekend so I thought I'd like offer another look at some of the stories from this past month:
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For a full list of recent posts simply check the Archives.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 29th, 2003 21 Comments Not that it hasn't been said a million times before (and even by me on several occasions) but… Runflats really make for a jarring ride. Soon after I got my Cooper in April of 02 I made the switch from 16″ OEM wheels and runflats to 17″ wheels and non-runflat tires. At the time I noticed a bit of difference but since I haven't had much of a chance to thoroughly drive a runflat equipped Cooper. With my current MINI loaner I have had an opportunity to further experience just what those non-runflats did to my ride.
The truly amazing thing is the larger 17″ wheels/tires combo are actually more comfortable than the 16″ runflat OEM setup that I replaced. Based on my experience I'd strongly urge any Cooper owner who feels their ride is a bit too harsh to try replacing their runflats with regular tires when the time comes. I believe it will be a revelation to most. Of course MCS owners will have to make sure they have a good mobility kit on hand if they want to go this route (or a good mobile phone).
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 29th, 2003 No Comments I've added several more “How To Guides” links courtesy of Jason Livingood:
Of course Jason is also the one originally responsible for the rear foglight petition that MINI eventually listened to. So I suppose a shout out of sorts is in order – well done Jason.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 29th, 2003 No Comments 
After some delays the Chicago MINI Motoring Club website has finally been launched. You can check it out at: chicagominiclub.com.
The site will feature information on upcoming events as well as photos of past events. For members of the club it will serve as a place to catch up on postings regarding weekly and at times daily information about the club and its activities. For non-members it's a good way to better understand what the club has to offer Chicago area MINI owners.
It's designed and laid out in weblog format for easy updating by anyone on the CMMC board. This will allow us to get information out to club members in a timely fashion and increase communication between members.
Enjoy!
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 28th, 2003 13 Comments As many of you know MINI service loaners are a rarity at most dealerships and getting them even at dealers who provide them can be difficult. My local dealer has “one or two” avalaible but in a year and a half I had never gotten one… until now.
I recently dropped off my MINI at the dealer with a loose seam on my leatherette sport seats. Once the issue was determined to be a warranty situation I was told it'll be 2 days and given an Enterprise car. After the wrong part was delivered (due to mislabelling at the warehouse) I was informed that I wouldn't be getting my car back until the Tuesday after labor day. At that point I immediately realized that a stripped down Toyota Echo rental wouldn't sufice for 4 more days.
The Echo was almost as tall as a small SUV but just barely larger longer than a MINI – making for one of the most ungainly looking cars I had ever sen. It had body roll that would have made a Buick owner envious and was as sluggish as MINI on three cylinders might be. Worst of all it felt as if it was built with one tenth the metal and structural intregraty that the MINI has. Needless to say it had to go.
After a quick call from the dealer's parts manager (who I know well) I was able to procure the dealership's only demo/loaner MINI for the weekend.
So enter a fairly stripped down Yellow and Black Cooper. It was optioned with 16″ Wheel/Runflats, DSC, chrome line, and the CVT. Of course I looked at this experience as an opportunity to compare various options and packages to what I had on my Cooper. While I didn't actually have the opportunity to spec our car it did come as loaded as was available in April of 2002. It's a Indie/White with Sport, Premium packges, heated seats, Xenons, 17″ S-lites, Chrome Line, Euro Parcel shelf, MINI FINI Cup Holder, Remus Exhaust, etc etc etc.
Upon first entering the cabin of the loaner I was greeted with many less buttons and no leather steering wheel. I love the idea of the manual heating and cooling controls but they seem a bit less well-executed in comparison to any 3 series from the past 15 years. The steering wheel texture really will take some getting used to as well. I never would have thought I had to have a leather steering wheel but man I really miss it already. Well maybe I don't need one but I really like the feel :)
While I love my Xenons I imagine the lack of them won't be a big deal until I get out of the city this weekend. As it stands I barely noticed the difference once I started driving.
The CVT is the biggest change I had to deal with overall. I had driven a CVT before and had come away from the experience determined that it just wasn't the right option for me. I think a lot of that experience and my current opinions has to do with the lack of a software upgrade on both CVT MINIs I've driven. I'm absolutely shocked at how much of a stumble there is in this car from a standing start. In the 90 dgree + heat of a Chicago afternoon it's almost embaressing when pulling away from a light. MINIUSA this is a real issue!
The other huge difference between this car and my own Cooper is the absense of the full length sunroof. You really can't overestimate the difference this makes in the overall feel of the cabin. Of course it's something that you wouldn't miss if you didn't live with it daily. The problem is I live with it daily and I certainly miss it :)
So all this comparing got me thinking about all the personal desicions that go into specing a new MINI. The difference between ordering a MINI and ordering, lets say, a Ford Focus is that the MINI is typically a much greater expression of your own personality. Thus it makes the process almost a series of very personal choices.
So it seems that there really is no bad spec when it comes to a MINI – only what you are used to and how it works with your lifestyle.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 28th, 2003 No Comments As sent in by a reader:
ATTENTION: Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana Mini owners.
A small group of area Mini owners are trying to organize a local club. Something low key that allows us to organize events to motor to interesting places and share our enthusiasm for Mini’s.
New Mini’s and classic Mini’s are welcome.
Contact us at KentuckyMini@yahoogroups.com
Also I'd like to add that if anyone has any advice for our friends in this region of the US to either post it here or respond via email.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 27th, 2003 5 Comments <
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Autoweek's editors give us their quick impressions on the JCW MCS in this week's edition. Here's an excerpt:
MANDEL: “The extra 37 ponies make this car sing, and I found the throttle pickup quick and smooth. I feared we’d see torque steer galore, and that is not the case. Yeah, if the wheel is cocked and you stomp the throttle, you’d better hold on, but in a straight line you can hold the wheel by fingertips and feed in the gas quickly. I was impressed that you can chirp the tires in gears one through three-figured that one out on a highway on-ramp. The great news is that if I hit the lotto, I can identify one great frivolity that will go to my own Mini. But first, the oversized Monte Carlo-style driving lights…”
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p>You can check out the entire article here.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 26th, 2003 1 Comment 
Here's a follow-up video from Ken at MINI Eagle Racing who recorded the original Spa video I posted several months ago:
“Here is a video from a recent practice session at Circuit Zolder here in Belgium. I suspect this circuit is more famous across the pond as the place that took the life of Villeneuve Sr. (hence the Villeneuve Chicane). Its a fun little track that has a nice rhythm. You're almost always busy at the wheel and rarely at zero G lateral forces.
Anyway, go here: thetouristreport.org/zzz…and right click and save this file:thetouristreport.org/zzz/mini-zolder-warmup-640×480-2mb-44khz.wmv (39.2MB).
You can also do the same for this file: my1stminivid-studio-edit-1500kbps.mpg (6.5MB). This is a video of a few outside shots of me practicing with my wife's MINI at Zolder from this past February.
FIY, I cleaned up the soundtrack in my original Spa video and if you're interested in that, you can right click and save this file (the 27MB file is gone): /mtps-studio-edit2-640×480-2mb-44khz.wmv (71.1MB).
Although it still has the Jamaroquai song “20 Zero One” as the soundtrack, I've faded some of the tire/engine noise where there wasn't nearly as much annoying wind noise.
Hope you enjoy them.
Ken Rahaim, MINI Eagle Racing
Thanks Ken – this is a fantastic collection!
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 25th, 2003 4 Comments 
While Bridger.us/MINI has had about a dozen posts about the upcoming MINI Cabrio in the past 6 months I thought it might be time for another update of information that has been compiled thus far. If you'd like to read what's already been posted check out the this post from last June. Now onto the info…
According to current plans in a years time the MINI Cabrio should be either arriving at dealerships or already in the hands of eager owners. In general the car has been one of MINI's worst kept secrets. For instance we know that it will come in both MC and MCS flavors. We also know that it will be available in two new colors and have colored trim to match the exterior of the car. Don't be surprised to see other small modifications to the interior of the car as well.
On the exterior we know that the car will have a bottom hinged (tailgate style) boot similar to the classic MINI. The Cabrio will feature a revised antenna placed an inch or so behind the center of the windshield. With no stationary point above the belt-line I would imagine that the third tail-light placement could actually be within the rear chrome trim (blacked out on this photo) where you can see a slight bulge in the above photo.
The top itself will be a folding variety similar to the current Beetle convertible but should lay flatter and thus produce less of the dreaded rear hump seen on many drop-tops (including said Beetle). You can see the folded top clearly here. The Cabrio will also feature two roll protecting loops behind the rear passenger seats. They seem to be situated low enough to not become a dominant design attribute while still doing their intended job protecting the car's occupants.
In the drivetrain area the Cabrio will be the first Cooper to see the new Getrag 5-speed gearbox that will be standard on all 2005 Coopers. Other than that there shouldn't be too many changes mechanically to the cars. They will certainly be less agile and quick off the line due to the curb weight increasing and it will be interesting to see how the already super stiff MINI structure copes with no roof.
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p>Finally the MINI Cabrio (or should we call it the Open?) will be a fairly rare occurrence in the US. Word has it that all production will indeed come from the same Oxford plant that the current MINI is produced at. With that factory running at capacity already it doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that this car will be produced in low numbers throughout the world. My guess would be to expect the Cabrio to be less than 15% of all MINIs sold in the US. One thing we know for certain – they will be a premium for at least the first six months. So if you want a drop-top MINI and aren't already on your dealers preliminary list I would recommend taking action soon.
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[Thanks Chris for the heads up on the top photo]
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 24th, 2003 12 Comments 
With the decision just announced that MINI will be switching from the Midland R65 5-speed in the current Cooper to a new 5-speed Getrag transmission I thought I'd offer some background information on why the Midland unit was chosen originally. This excerpt comes from Graham Robson's New MINI – a book about the origins of the new MINI and the development process that went along with it.
“BMW had wanted the car to have a Getrag gearbox, but we (the original UK engineers) put in the R65 gearbox instead, because it was $170/car cheaper, more compact with a two-shaft as opposed to a three-shaft layout, and no inherent cyclic vibrations, so a mass damper was not needed.”
“Because the design of the front-wheel drive Rover 75 had already been finalized around a new-generation Getrag gearbox – BMW had been patronizing this German specialist for more than three decades – the proposed link-up was logical, but the British didn't see it that way. The Getrag box, which would be all-new, would necessarily be costly and take time to develop.
The R65, on the other hand, was an existing major component, which was already being manufactured on the Longbridge site, and was in large scale use in other Rover Group front-wheel-drive cars. Originally a PSA (Peugoet-Citroen) design, it was well-proven, and well thought of.
Unhappily, it took Rover Group ages to convince BMW that this should be done, as there seemed to be a growing culture in Germany which (to alter George Orwell) stated: 'German engineering Good, British engineering Bad.' To many over-worked British engineers, it seemed, they saw an attitude which suggested that the only acceptable method was the BMW method.
On this occasion, though, Chris Lee (MINI Product Leader '96-'99) and his team stuck to it's convictions, produced rafts of evidence regarding costs, performance and service experience. Back-to-back tests, evaluations on the road and comparisons of torque capacities were all made. In addition, major improvements to the R65's change quality, a reduction of free play and healthy attention to warranty claim records were all needed before Rover won the argument.
Then, when the Cooper S derivative came along, the R65 couldn't cope with it's increased torque, and BMW had to choose a 6-speed Getrag gearbox after all…”
I think this is pretty fascinating insight considering that there have been various reports on some MINI forums about a rash of manual transmission failures in Coopers. This would seem unusual considering all the work they did on the R65 transmission and the fact that it's been called “well-proven, and well thought of”
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 22nd, 2003 4 Comments Sent in by Tony:
I am travelling historic Route 66 over the next two weeks. I have to go to San Diego on business and my employer has agreed to pay me equivalent airfare to take my Mini Cooper S.
So, the plan is: to take two weeks to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles following what's left of America's “Mother Road” and see lots of the sights in between; I then have to spend a week in San Diego on business; and then I plan to take about six days to drive home.
I left home (Ottawa, Canada) on 10 August and started the actual Route 66 portion of the trip on 11 August as I passed through Chicago.
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p>You can follow along with Tony on his trip via his website: www.magma.ca/~alderton/route66/index.htm. To see photos of his trip so far check out the map portion of his site here.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 21st, 2003 1 Comment <
p>Here's some MINI trivia for everyone out there. Many of us are aware of the sales success that the new MINI has had over the past two years. However what would surprise most is that we're not even close to the yearly numbers that the Classic Mini enjoyed in it's heyday. For instance in 1973 alone the Classic Mini sold an astounding 343,000 units worldwide (except for of course the US where it wasn't being sold).
As expected that number diminished greatly by the 2000 model year (the last year of Classic Mini production) when just 12,000 were sold world wide. However it's safe to say with a total production since 1959 of over 5,400,000 the Classic Mini is firmly established in automotive history as one of the most successful vehicles of all time.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 21st, 2003 12 Comments <
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Scott over at the Madison MINI Group has detailed instructions on how to make your foglights yellow – as they should be according to some:
“Yellow fog lights work better than white in most weather circumstances. We don't know why most auto makers insist on using clear lenses. So, how do you fix the clear lenses on your Mini? MMG has searched the world for you, and found that RSpeed sells protective light film kits for headlights, turn signals, and fog lights. You can get these kits in clear or blue for the headlights, and clear or yellow for the fogs. MMG invested in the yellows. RSpeed is very accomodating, and shipped the laminating kit immediately. They are a snap to install – literally all you need to do is to clean your lens, spray the usual soapy water on both the lens and the cover, and slide into place. Fifteen seconds, tops. Once the covers “cure”, they are good to go. Presto – yellow lights AND protection against stones and ugly bugs. Granted, they aren't as yellow as amber lenses might be, but they work fine.”
You can check this mod out in more detail here.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 20th, 2003 7 Comments Today MINIUSA introduced four new commercials highlighting the 2003 North American Car of the Year Award.
and my personal favorite:
You can read posts about other MINI commercials from around the world here (UK) and here (Canada). And finally you can always check out the entire list of commercials at Bridger.us/MINI in the “Video” section on the right hand side of the site.
Oh and while your at MINIUSA.com checking out the new commercials be sure to check out the two new games and other content that has been added as well.
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 20th, 2003 24 Comments Posted by Maxwell:
I would like to encourage anyone with a free Saturday up his or her sleeve to try to make it up to Phil Wicks' Midwest Driver event August 30th.
For anyone who wasn't able to make it to the latest Chicago MINI Motoring Club meeting, it will be a multi-part class. The class is at Gateway International Raceway, just north of St. Louis on the Illinois side. It is essentially an entire day running from 8 am to 5 pm. It begins with some MC/MCS-specific class-time discussing your car and its functions, followed by some in-car practice with braking, skids, emergency maneuvers and general driving technique, and then finally we are out on the track, which is actually located on the infield of Gateway International and utilizes part of the main oval for one portion. (You can check out the lay of the land at www.gatewayraceway.com/mapOval.html — the gray portion is the main part of the track we will be using.)
As has been previously mentioned, the regular price of $275 is lowered to $220 for all Chicago Mini Motoring Club members (and members of other MINI club as well). Also, if you have had some track time or a driving school class in the past, then you may wish to take the intermediate level class which will include more track time and costs only $140 instead of the usual $175. They also require a DOT approved helmet for everyone, so any motorcycle helmet will do–I've got a spare or two in my basement if anyone needs one.
Finally, to anyone from the Chicagoland area who is interested, I am going to be spending the night in a hotel in Collinsville Friday and Saturday night. To all those who plan to go, you should let me know as soon as possible if you have not already made reservations. If we get a few people together who all want to spend the night there, we can probably qualify for a group rate.
If you have not yet signed up, but you do plan to attend, I recommend calling Phil, and getting your name on the list; then just fill out the entry form on his site and send it in via snail-mail.
Contact information:
Me: Maxwell Heathcott (aka Chitown_COOP)
mheathcott@hotmail.comPhil Wicks/Midwest Driver:
midwestdriver.com
racerwicks@aol.com
(314) 330-6449Hope to see a lot of you there!
Copyright © 2002-2009 Gabriel Bridger
