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.
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.
