Sep 30th, 2003
Here's a tip on MINI bike racks from reader Chris Noble
“I never have found much helpful discussion on the topic of Mini roof racks (thanks for your assistance earlier), but there is a great solution now if any Mini owner is interested. If you bought the Mini installed roof rack, the only choice until now was their upright bike rack. Hard core cyclists prefer fork mount racks – more stable, quicker to get in/out, and they generally feature robust locking systems. I think the Thule V2 is the best of the bunch, and now there is an adaptor kit for the fat Mini cross bars: Part numbers 82720304660, 82720304661, 82720304662 (front & rear adaptors + misc parts) – you need one of each for each rack.Â
Now available for order through your Mini dealer.”
Thanks Chris for the info!
Sep 30th, 2003
I've often heard of people trading in BMW, Audis, etc for MINIs but every once in a while I'll hear of someone doing the seemingly unthinkable and going from an M3 to an MCS. With that in mind I recently had a chance to put an M3 SMG through it's paces and found some interesting observations when comparing to the MCS and the MC.
First off the M3 is almost stupid fast. If you aren't careful you easily get yourself into loads of trouble in no time. There are of course some areas that the M3 (and most BMWs for that matter) naturally excel in comparison to the MINI. General comfort is one. Even with 19″ wheels the M3 has a more compliant ride than the current MINI with runflats. The M3 exudes a certain comfort and refinement that the MINI seemingly will never have.
Another area the M3 naturally bests the MINI in is balance. The chassis is much better sorted in terms of balance and generally gives the driver an inspiring confidence while pushing the car. With the 50/50 weight distribution also helps the M3 easily outclasses the MINI when it comes to handling at the limit. That being said it can also be a little less forgiving in the hands of a novice. The back-end will come around on you in a heartbeat with the DSC turned off. You have to be ready to opposite lock the wheel quickly where as in the MINI it's much more point and shoot. I personally miss this little bit of excitement in my MINI and it's one of the reasons that I'll probably always want at least an older rear wheel drive BMW around to scare passengers from time to time.
I was also quite excited to get behind the wheel of an M3 with the much acclaimed SMG semi-automatic transmission. The SMG is one of the best semi-automatic transmissions out there today and takes much of it's technology from the F1 race track .
However before I go on and on about SMG it's important to remember that it's not an automatic with manual controls but a real clutchless manual transmission similar to what's in the BMW/Williams F1 car. It's a transmission that at once can shift faster than any human yet when in regular automatic mode can go almost unnoticed in daily operation.
Upon sitting down next to the SMG for the first time I have to admit I wasn't entirely sure how to get the thing going. It can be a bit tricky without some explanation at first. The default mode on the SMG is actually automatic but a quick flip of the wrist gets it in manual mode. To change gears there are two paddles just behind the wheel - one to upshift and another to downshift. My first thought was it's like playing Grand Tourismo with the best feedback controller in the world. My second thought was “oh my God this is for real”
One of the keys to fast acceleration in the SMG is switching the sport mode on and turning the shift mode to S5 (as high as it normally goes). If you want to really impress someone you can turn on the somewhat hidden S6 shift mode and enjoy some of the qiuckest and most neck snapping shifts you'll ever feel. Once more, when you downshift the engine it will automatically blimp the throttle to the optimal rpm. The sound is so addicting that you find yourself slowing down and speeding up just to hear it. These upshifts combined with the melodic inline six and the amazing factory exhaust make you want to forget about the radio or CD player. Let's hope this option makes it's way onto at least the next generation MCS.
Interestingly while pushing the car into hard corners the M3 almost seemed to have more body roll than the MCS or an MC with SS+. That is of course until I realized that I was going 20mph faster than I would have been in a MINI around the same corner. This is really one of the best aspects about the M3. Granted there is the advantage of 333 HP where the MCs only has 163 on tap but it's really the feeling of immense stability at speed and at the limit that is so thrilling. Simply put you feel like you can do about anything in this car. Yes the MINI is exceptional in this area but it simply can't overcome the fact that it's wheel base is short (by M3 standards), it's track isn't as wide, and it's a front wheel drive car with an unequal weight distribution.
All said the MINI makes a good showing in this comparison. Despite going up against a huge difference in power and sophistication there are few cars that feel more like a small version of the current M3 than even a base Cooper with SS+. Going from the M3 to my SS+ Cooper I was struck by how similar the two felt at low and midrange speeds in terms of handling. As long as you don't push the MINI beyond a certain point it's handling can be very balanced and confident. In fact the MINI actually had a sharper initial turn-in than the M3!
Beyond that my Cooper is generally more toss-able and in many ways more fun to whip around corners. It's not near as fast and not near as refined but I believe on many levels it's actually more fun.
At the end of the day I came away reaffirmed that the MINI remains an unbelievable value compared with what else is out there in it's price range. And for sheer driving fun there are simply few cars out there that can rival it.
Sep 29th, 2003
From MINI PR:
Strategic Vision's 2003 Total Value Index(tm) Gives MINI Cooper Second Highest Rating Overall
The MINI Cooper has scored extremely well in Strategic Vision's 2003 Total Value Index(tm) (TVI). The index measures buyers' views of whether they got their money's worth from their car purchase. The index is calculated by correlating all economic issues against the quality of the ownership experience.
This award follows MINI's previous segment-topping position in Strategic Vision's 2003 Total Delight Index.
Questioning over 63,000 for the Total Value Index, the MINI Cooper (814) was named “Best Small Specialty Car” and came in second overall-only marginally behind the Audi TT Roadster (817), which offered higher price incentives.
The study measures both immediate economics (value for the money, affordability, price/deal offered, warranty and standard equipment level) and expected economics (durability, future trade-in, mileage, economical to own and reliability).
“Consumers don't measure value just in dollars and cents,” says Dr. Darrel Edwards, Strategic Vision president. “It's what you get for your money. Thus you can't calculate value without the quality, including the emotional response, buyers perceive in the complete ownership experience.”
The top five scoring vehicles are:
MODEL / TVI / MEDIAN PRICE / % INCENTIVES
Audi TT Roadster / 817 / $ 38,500* / 42%*
MINI Cooper / 814 / $ 23,000 / 2%
Lexus GS 300/430 / 812 / $ 41,600 / 27%
Acura RSX / 811 / $ 23,000 / 19%
Audi TT Coupe* / 805 / $ 38,500* / 42%*
Sep 28th, 2003
Here's an interesting email I got the other day out of the blue:
You never heard it from me but I saw a very interesting product planning document that went out to about 2015!!! I only got a quick look - but I did catch in the MINI fields there was the Cooper, Cooper S, Cabrio versions of both, and another field that said “Cooper LWB” or “Cooper EXT” - for long wheelbase or extended. I'd imagine after the cabrio the next thing you'll see will have 4 doors or a 2dr with a stretched boot area.
It would seem that Dr. Panke words will ring true when he said that the introduction of the 4-door MINI would be pushed back until at least 2008. I wonder if we'll see a 2-door, longer wheel based MINI and a 4-door version as well.
Sep 26th, 2003
I've officially broken the 30,000 mile barrier and I'm happy to report… that I'm happy! No plans to upgrade, downgrade, or to drive anything else in the near future.
Sep 26th, 2003
I'm happy to announce that the Chicago MINI Motoring Club is sponsoring a screening of the original Italian Job October 7th tentatively scheduled for 7pm at the Wheaton Grand Theater.
Head over to the Chicago MINI Motoring Club website to get all the details.
Sep 26th, 2003
Well here it is. Back in April we got a sneak peak at it and the reaction was mixed to say the least. I'll be curious to see if opinions have softened a bit.
According to Steve at MINI2 it will be available on week 49 builds forward.
Sep 25th, 2003
For those of you in the Chicago area Kumho will be holding their Tire Challenge at the Ikea in Schaumburg October 14-17. Here's some info from Kumho PR about the event and why a MINI owner might be interested:
FONTANA, CA…The Kumho Tire Challenge will be at the IKEA store in Schaumburg, IL, from October 14-17. The event teaches consumers how tires can make a difference in the way a car performs by giving them the opportunity to drive MINI Coopers equipped with different wheels and tires.
The event will be staged in the parking lot of the IKEA store (located at 1800 E. McConnor Parkway). Participants will drive the cars through an autocross course on the lot.
The Kumho Tire Challenge is a national tour that was launched by KUMHO Tire USA in July of 2003 as a means to educate tire dealers and consumers about how different tires affect the performance and handling of a car.
“”Unfortunately, most people don’t give much thought to their tires,” said Rick Brennan, high performance brand manager for KUMHO Tire USA. “They know they’re round, they’re black, they’re rubber and you have to put air in them.
“But when you give someone a bit of information and then put him behind the wheel of a car and turn him loose on an autocross course, he’ll quickly learn that tires play a huge role in how a car performs,” noted Brennan. “After going through this exercise, most people are amazed to learn that there can be such a difference between tires, and they’re also usually surprised to learn just how well the tires perform.”
Kumho uses three MINI Coopers for the Kumho Tire Challenge. The cars are equipped with automatic transmissions and a variety of aftermarket performance products, and each car is equipped with a different Kumho tire. “We use MINI Coopers for our Challenge program because the MINI is one of the best-handling cars in the world, which makes it the perfect vehicle to showcase the performance of our tires,” added Brennan. “And the MINI is a people magnet. The cars attract attention wherever they go.”
The Kumho Tire Challenge at IKEA will run rain or shine and will be open on a first-come-first-serve basis to the general public on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 15, 11 .m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursday, October 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, October 17, Noon to 7 p.m.
Sep 25th, 2003
Here's an excerpt From the Autoweek story:
Mini USA is playing hardball with a Mini owners-group Web site operator over the domaine name minicooperonline.com.
That's the view of site owner and operator Mark Ferguson, who created the site in 2002.
Ferguson, of Boulder, Colo., says he has been sparring with Mini (mini.com) and Mini parent company BMW's legal team since February regarding what to call the site.
The easy position to take is there's this bully company determined to stop this guy,” says Mini spokesman Michael McHale. “From a legal standpoint, if you don't protect what's yours, it's open for anyone to use.”
Ferguson, McHale argues, is free to trade but should not do so using the Mini name or names related to the car line.
McHale adds that Mini dealers pay hundreds of thousands to sell the small car. It's the trademarked Mini name at stake and operators should be “affiliated with us,” he says.
The site, which has 9,000 members, carries advertising from enthusiasts and about 20 aftermarket companies who want to reach each other - and Mini's powerful sales and marketing network. That the site accepts advertising is a fact Ferguson says he has admitted from the start.
…As a good faith effort, Ferguson says he plans to post this suggestion soon: northamericanmotoring.com.
Despite the troubles, Ferguson says he's still passionate about the car and the company. “At the end of the day, I want to provide a good information source for enthusiasts, the aftermarket community and be conduit for that and Mini.”
You can read the entire article in this weeks Autoweek or on the web here.
Sep 25th, 2003
It has been confirmed and I should have one in my hands by the end of the week. I also intend to find out whether it's possible to have it installed, the software changed and then redo the brakelight mod using the top two lights (the ones used as rear foglights) as additional brakelights. Many of us have that mod for a year now and it would be a shame if this kit took that ability away.
It might be worth mentioning that I was able to get my local dealer to match the Classic MINI sale price of $60. Installation for just the rears should run around $50 total making this retrofit very reasonable.
Interstingly before this retrofit kit came out the extra bank of switches alone cost you just under $200. It would seem as if MINI did some serious cutting of the profit to offer this kit at $75 for the US market.
Sep 24th, 2003
As will be reported in this week's Autoweek BMW has decided to only bring the 4 door version of it's new small car - the 1 series to the US. Here's an excerpt:
BMW AG will build different versions of its new 1 Series for Europe and the USA… Buyers in the U.S., where the 1 Series is due in 2005, will be offered as a traditional four-door sedan.
…Tom Purves, CEO of BMW of North America, said the US market will get only one body style of the 1 Series — not a hatchback — and two engines, most likely six-cylinder units.
In the USA, potential buyers include owners of the Volkswagen Jetta and similar cars “who aspire to own a BMW,” he said.
“We aren't getting completely carried away saying it will be a home run success,” Purves said. “It needs to perform like a BMW that Americans will like. There is a reason we don't sell four-cylinder BMWs in America.”
…BMW CEO Helmut Panke said the 1 Series will be nearly identical in size to the BMW 2002, the predecessor model to the 3 Series.
BMW is designing the 1- 3-Series model ranges to include up to 10 body styles, said Burkhard Goeschel BMW board member for r&d and purchasing.
He would not specify which body styles each range will get, but the large number of derivatives suggests several body styles of the 1 Series are possible.
So my question is did the MINI's success in America kill the idea of a 2 door hatchback BMW for our market? While it was never very clear how BMW would deal with two similar products in a similar price range they always seemed to imply that the full range of the 1 series would be in the US.
Further is BMWUSA CEO Tom Purves' claim of only bringing over the six cylinder for the 1 series in the US a tip off that a 4 door MINI is indeed coming to the BMW family? With the 2 and 4 door MINI obviously only available as a front driver with 4 cylinder engines and the 1 series only available in rear wheel drive inline six cylinder form BMW would be able better define the differences between the brands. This would obviously get murky with a $25k 2 door 1 series and a $25k 2 door MCS.
Sep 23rd, 2003
The moment many of us with stumbles or power “yo-yos” have been waiting for. However before we run out and set-up an appointment to get our MINI updated does anyone have feedback to report on it?
Update: According to several people on MINI2 these issues are not fixed with this update.
Sep 23rd, 2003
According to Ian Culls MINI Blog MINIUSA has issued a parts bulletin (# M 63 02 03) for the Rear Foglights. You can check out the actual bulletin below by clicking on the images:
Thanks Ian for breaking this news! It's worth noting that as of Friday dealers should have the update CD35 which is required for this retrofit. Lets also hope that there are other enhancements for MINI software in this update.
Sep 21st, 2003
According to a recent post at MINI2 It looks like this often rumored feature will finally be coming to worldwide MINI parts counters in the way of a retrofit kit soon. A pretty cool gadget and actually useful for those of us living in tight urban spaces. It's been availble in Japan for awhile now but aparently will be available in most of the outside world soon. Of course judging by the fact that this option is available on BMWs worldwide yet not on US spec BMWs I can only assume this will not be an easily purchased item at US parts counters. Lets hope we can at least get the chance to get our hands a la the parcel shelf.
You can check out the interior switch in comparison to the current standard switch here.
Sep 21st, 2003
Here's one of the first photos that clearly shows how the folding top will stow behind the rear seats on the upcoming MINI Convertible. From all indications the top will be a pretty unique folding roof design that doesn't take up passenger space or room in the boot. Even better it manages to fold down to something smaller than the hump that you see on the New Beetle convertible. You can see another view here. Also of interest the boot actually folds down like a standard tailgate a la the original Mini.
Also evident in this photo is the placement of the third taillight in the chrome beltline that surrounds the car.
