Archive for November 2003
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.
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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..
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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.
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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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Nov 25th, 2003
Ever wanted to know what month your car was made or what the exact model number is of your transmission? If so then I'd like to present to you the BMW (and now MINI) VIN decoder. It's a little bit of code someone wrote awhile back to let us all learn just a bit more about our cars. It was originally meant for BMWs but since the MINI relies on the same VIN numbering system it will also work for us.
Check it out here: http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi.
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Nov 24th, 2003
As you head out this weekend to start your holiday shopping MINIUSA has some tips for a carefree MINI experience that they'd like to share. From MINIUSA Press:
If everyone in the New York area drove a MINI Cooper, imagine how stress-free the holidays could be! With parking spaces in short supply, and holiday shoppers attempting to parallel park large cars in spaces made for a MINI, the holidays can be a time of short fuses and hot tempers.
Add to the estimated 3.2 million cars that pile into New York City on any given weekday, an influx of holiday shoppers and site-seers in town to view the famous store windows and the Tree, you've got a city that comes to a virtual stand still.
According to Michael McHale, Communications Manager for MINI USA, parallel parking is a forgotten “art” that clogs up city arteries and gets people hot under the collar. “There are very definite ways of negotiating a parking space that are essential to city driving,” says McHale. “Of course, driving a MINI is a great way of pulling into any parking space, but short of that, any driver can be an ace parker.” McHale suggests the following simple steps:
- Once you've found a space that's at least six feet longer than your car, apply your brakes and your directional so that the car behind you is aware of your intention to park
- Pull up so that your rear wheels are parallel with the rear bumper of the car in front of the parking space — keeping about 3 feet between the two cars.
- Put your car into reverse and turn the steering wheel all the way to the right.
- Back up slowly so that your car is at a 45-degree angle from the car in front of you and stop. (Your car will be sticking out into the street at this point, so be aware of street traffic.)
- Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left while rolling backwards very slightly.
- Continue slowly backing up into the space until you are parallel with the curb, and about 12 inches from it.
- If you start off short or are too far from the curb, it's often smarter to start the park all over again. Practice makes perfect with parallel parking.
McHale also suggests putting a MINI on your list to Santa. With ample seating for four, rear seats that fold down to allow for all your holiday shopping, maximized grip and maneuverability and an economical 142.8-inch length, the MINI can park where most cars fear to go.
Here are some additional tips for keeping your Holiday driving happy:
- Plan your route before you leave.
- Plan alternate routes.
- Listen to traffic reports and go online.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going.
- Keep a charged cell phone and hands free ear piece in your car.
- Go to the restroom before you leave.
- Be familiar with traffic patterns and traffic signage.
- Let the other person have the right of way – even if you're in the right.
- Practice parallel parking before you need to attempt it on a busy city street.
- Remember where you park – write it down.
- Be sure to have your most up-to-date license, insurance card and registration with you at all times.
Nov 24th, 2003
You saw it here first November 24th – almost a full year before their release!
R91 17″ Wheel also known as the “5 Star Bullet” – Aprox. 10kg. This will be option for MINI Convertible.
R92 16″ Wheel also known as the “7 Fin Spoke” – Aprox. 8kg. Possibly available for all MINI Models
R93 15″ Wheel also know as the “5 Star Rocket” – Aprox. 6kg. Optional on all MINI One & Cooper Models.
It looks like this report from someone within MINIUSA, while somewhat correct, was off by several months.
More info to come…
Nov 24th, 2003
Someone asked me about this yesterday and I referred him to the search engine on my site not quite knowing when it was originally posted. However I realized that many newer readers of the site might not have delved that deep into the archives yet so I decided it may be one of those items I repost from time to time. So with that in mind here's the original post about touring the MINI prodcution facilities in Oxford UK:
This information is taken directly from an internal MINI document:
Official tours of MINI production at Plant Oxford have started on 7 May 2003. This will bring MINI and the phenomenon of its successful market launch to both the community in and around Plant Oxford, as well as the growing global audience. External visitors will be given a chance to see at first hand the key steps in MINI production, and our trained tour guides will provide commentary and safe stewardship through the Plant.
Visiting production areas The tours will start in the Plant Oxford Info Centre, with the main focus of the tour being the Body in White (welding) and Assembly Halls. For Health and Safety reasons, visitors will not go into the paint facility, but instead be introduced to key highlights of the paint process with visual aids in the Info Centre.
How to book your group in If you have requests for a visit to MINI production at Plant Oxford then please direct these to:
E-mail: Oxford.Plant-Tours@bmwgroup.com,
In writing to : Plant Tours,
Communications Dept. (TO-K),
BMW Group Plant Oxford,
Oxford, OX4 6NL.
We regret that children below the age of 14 are not allowed on site for Health and Safety reasons. Our maximum group size will be 30 people. Plant Tours start at the times shown below, and last approximately two and a half hours.
Tour Times:
AM Tour PM Tour
M to TR 09h30 13h45
Friday 09h15 12h45
Nov 23rd, 2003
Get your TIVOs ready! The Simpsons are going to England and the episode will feature a MINI Cooper as transportation through London. I'm told we'll see some questionable driving by Homer in the MINI and an eventual collesion with the Queen.
Nov 21st, 2003
MINI2 has a photo of what looks to be a almost fully finished prototype of the MINI Cabrio. It looks like the spy photos we've been seeing are right on the money. And the info about color coded interior trim looks corrrect as well. You can check it out here.
Nov 20th, 2003
Ah that old question… can I get an actual MINI loaner when my car is in for service or will I be stuck with the dreaded Toyota Echo again. Here's an interesting email I received the other day on that topic from someone who wished to remain anynomous:
“In a recent conversation with a MINI USA representative about poor dealer service, I was informed that the policy on loaner cars will soon change. I mentioned that my dealer wouldn't give me one since I didn't buy mine with them and I was told “that will be changing soon.” I am assuming that this is will go into effect for all dealers, not just mine.”
While it's hard to verify this information at this time it is somewhat apparent MINIUSA has a lot of unsatisfied customers when they drop off their cars for service. I think part of that is also due to housing MINI service centers within BMW ones. MINI owners see the BMW owners coming in and leaving in a brand new 325i for the day while we're many times stuck with a smoke filled Malibu or the aforementioned Echo.
Can MINIUSA actually do something about this? From my knowledge loaner cars are traditionally handled by individual dealers and their own expense. So it really may be wishful thinking to say that MINIUSA will be stepping in and providing all dealers with loaners for their customers. Granted the cars are substantially cheaper than even the lowest priced BMW but the costs associated with providing all dealers with these loaners would be staggering. But who knows – they've surprised us in the past. Of course this question becomes even more interesting when you take into account the recent rumor that some US BMW dealers (w/no MINI dealership attached) may also start servicing MINIs. I suppose time will be the judge of it all.
Nov 19th, 2003
This news from comes from Media Life Magazine:
For all we have to thank the internet for, somewhere up near the top is the opportunity for businesses to break out of their pin-striped mindsets and indulge in a bit of creativity. We see more and more of that creativity every day when we surf around the web…
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The most-nominated site, BMW’s miniusa.com, took home awards in two of the three categories it was nominated in, best branding and design and best automotive.Â
The site helped launch the Mini Cooper in the U.S. and encouraged more than 75 percent of owners to register on the site, in addition to generating 15,000 sales leads.
The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, which also awards the Webbys, recognized a total of 18 winners in 19 categories, with the Mini site the only double winner.
Kudos to MINIUSA.com and Euro RSCG Circle, the creators of the site. As a web designer myself I am constantly amazed at the overall quality of everything that is done on MINIUSA.com. Simply put it's the best Auto company site on the web.
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