Oct 26th, 2003
You may have noticed some changes at Bridger.us/MINI recently.
Over the last year we've strived to make this website as usable as possible. This started with creating a frame work that allows the site to be updated quickly and from anywhere and any computer (with a connection) in the world. Secondly I attempted to design an interface that was so simple that it was almost transparent to the user. Information could either be found in the right hand column or in the news archive (which contains the entire post history of the site).
But with more content comes more challenges in trying to keep the site simple and easy to navigate. Because of this the first of our recent changes was altering the font throughout the website to something (A) more readable in small sizes and (B) more common on more systems. Secondly we introduced a small top navigation that will replicate or in some cases replace links that have been on the right side of all the site's pages. And be sure to look for more small changes in the coming weeks along these same lines.
As always if you have suggestions and/or feedback for the site please feel free to contact us via the link above.
Oct 26th, 2003
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I just got this info from Denison USA about the shippment of the highly anticipated ICE-link iPod controller which allows not only the MINI (and BMW) stereo to allow an iPod to play through it but for multifunction steering wheel to actually control it.
We are scheduling shipments for the first week of November for ICE-Link for the 3rd Gen iPods with initial shipments including BMW, AUDI, VW, FORD compatible and Sony systems (ICE-Link for CLASSIC iPods are scheduled to be released by the end of November). Initial quantities are limited, pre-orders will be filled first.
If you'd like to find out more check out Denison's website.
note: This site is in no way sponsored or supported by Denison USA
Oct 26th, 2003
Here's an email I got from a reader recently regarding the 3M Invisishield MINI Clear Bra that is a dealer installed option:
I picked up my new liquid yellow MINI on October 7th. I am having a problem with stone chips on the bonnet. I contacted the dealer about the problem wondering if there is any protection system to prevent this. The dealer told me there is a film they will install on the bonnet, headlights and mirrors to help prevent stone chips and bug marks. It is made by 3M. Has anyone had this installed or heard about this product? Any information would be helpful.
Does anyone have any experience with this product or others like it?
Oct 26th, 2003
This may come as old news to some but MINIUSA now has the 2004 manual available for download in PDF form. You can access it directly by clicking here (the MC & MCS have the same manual) or by signing onto the Owners Lounge and downloading it from there. I'll also have the file in my downloads section in the lower right-hand corner of my front page.
The above diagram is from the '04 manual and shows the new 3-Spoke wheel and how to use it's cruise control.
Oct 24th, 2003
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This rather shocking news comes from MINI2 and Paul Mullet:
“Word on the grape vine is that in summer '04 our (my) beloved Indi Blue will be no more for the MINI range.
I thought that was a bit of a shocker, but it appears to be true.
Good news is it seems another blue will take it's place, but will be as good as Indi Blue? Who knows.”
Here's the MINI2 thread: Adieu Indi Blue?!. BMW has long had a history of changing color hues slightly every 2-4 years and this seems to fall into that catagory. It looks like next summer will bring quite a few changes into the MINI range.
Oct 23rd, 2003
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After way too much drama and a couple of weeks of simply not being able to get to my dealer I finally picked up my new toggle panel with all the switches.
First a big thanks to Ian Cull and all the great rear foglight info on his weblog. As far as I'm concnered his site is “Rear Foglight Central”.
Interestingly when the first bulletin was released for this part MINI released the wrong numbers for the full panel. As you can see on this image MINIUSA switched the numbers between the full toggle panels for cars with front fogs and cars without. Because of that many parts managers across the country simply ordered the wrong part. It would seem that those who looked at the standard MINI parts CD-Rom had the correct information and those that looked at the bulletin didn't. Too much drama over a little switch if you ask me. Lets hope that MINI gets it's parts numbers straight in future bulletins.
For those that missed this info the correct part number for those with the full panel of switches is 61 31 6 917 993
Oct 22nd, 2003
It may be old news to some seasoned CVT owners but there is a great thread (even if it's 8 months old) over at MINI2 that talks about some of the best techniques for using the transmission. Check it out here.
