Nov 30th, 2003
Here's an email I recently got from a reader of the site:
My Japanese is limited, but the gist of it is this: It's a charity event art show for the Japanese UNICEF foundation (The United Nations Children's Fund). Artists have created 230 pieces using 1/12 scale models; each peace will sell for about $250; the money goes to UNICEF. The MINI & Art communities together for charity. The pieces will only be sold at the gallery on a first come basis. I wish I had thought of it first….how about individually created Mini Xmas ornaments for charity?, maybe next year.
You can check it out here.
Nov 30th, 2003
Looks like CD 36, the supposed answer to the dreaded MINI stumble, should now be at the dealers. You can read more at this North American Motoring Thread.
According to early reports this update should fix the MCS stumble and uncomfirmed sources report that it eliminates the Cooper yo yo/power surge as well. However from what I've read the jury is still out in regards to the MCS yo yo/power surge.
Nov 30th, 2003
An excerpt from David E Davis' monthly column from Automobile Magazine:
…All of this was running through my head as I tore home in a MINI Cooper S (with the John Cooper Works tuning kit) one Friday night. This latest iteration of the MINI is simply brilliant, and every American male between the ages of sixteen and one hundred and sixteen should drop everything and drive one. if it has any drawback or shortcoming, it might be the very real possibility that you could have so much illicit fun with it that you just might wind up in prison for life. Just about the time you're halfway through third gear, with three gears left to go, you are struck with the truth of the old engineering maxim, “Low mass is its own reward”
This issue also features some positive comments regarding the long term MCS that Automobile currently has in it's fleet.
Nov 28th, 2003
I just recieved this email from a reader regarding the delayed 2004 alarm kits:
Had the alarm installed on our 2004 MCS in Kansas City this morning. The stalk light appears much brighter than on the 2003 we also own. You can also see the interior motion / tilt deactivation much easier now. the stalk tip is on solid at the 2nd press of the “lock” remote. And it even seems to work on a simple quick hand through the open window test..
Nov 27th, 2003
As some of you may remember I had my 4th windshield installed this week due to a large crack caused by a rock.
Since my wife had the car all week it would be her who had to deal with this one. So the next day I got a call from her saying the guy who was doing the work had no clue what to do with the a-pillar plastic covers and didn't really want to find out. In fact he told her we might want to go the dealer to have them looked at. Since I have comprehensive glass coverage from my insurance cover the entire operation I tend not to go the dealer for such things. Typically these installers are good enough to know what to do in about every situation. What’s more they bill my insurance directly so I don't have to deal with paying $400-$500 dollars and getting reimbursed later.
So when I was finally able look at the job I was appalled. Both a-pillar covers were on crooked and not fastened properly at all. At that point I was going to call my insurance again and let them deal with the issue. However things got worse when my wife called me the next day.
Apparently she was driving about 65mph (on the Edens for all you in Chicago) and one of the a-pillar covers broke off and flew straight up in the air landing on the side of the road. Needless to say she was a bit startled as were the drivers behind her. Apparently the sound of one of these things breaking off at speed is not pleasant.
I dropped my car off at the dealer that night and I’ll be having them take care of all my windshield repairs from now on. Obviously the glass company they use has some experience with MINIs.
Has anyone else experienced anything like this before with windshield replacements?
Nov 26th, 2003
According to sources MINIUSA is raising the price of the MINI Cooper S by $450 starting this January. Unfortunately the price increase won't be coupled with any new features. This information should now be in dealers hands in the form of a memo directly from MINIUSA
The memo followed a national meeting of all MINI dealers in Atlanta where they were shown the new MINI Cabrio as well as MINIs in the two new colors for 2004, the light blue and the orange which were previously posted about earlier this year.
Nov 26th, 2003
Hot off the presses at GoMini:
GoMini – the magazine dedicated to the New Mini – goes on sale tomorrow (27 November 2003).
This brand new, high quality 116-page title from A&S Publishing Co Ltd, the people behind successful titles like Mini Magazine and Total BMW, plans to reflect the values that owners expect from this small car phenomenon – the highest quality and fun by the carload.
The editorial approach reflects the owners’ enthusiasm, and will feature the sharpest writing, exciting photography, and contemporary design. With the right mix of feature cars from around the globe, guides to the latest tuning and styling products and reports from the increasing number of New Mini meets and events, GoMini is set to become the must-read title for all owners (and would be owners) of the world’s best small car.
For more info visit www.gomini.co.uk.
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