Archive for August 2004

2005 MCS MotoringFile Review

Sections: R53 (Coupe), Reviews Aug 31st, 2004 92 Comments

Recently I had a chance to take a 2005 MCS out for few hot laps around the neighborhood circuit and found a lot to like. However instead of a typical review which we've all read over and over again I thought I'd instead focus mostly on the differences from the previous MINIs that are on the roads today.

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The MCS Convertible 1st Drive

Sections: R52 (Conv.), Reviews Aug 30th, 2004 32 Comments

While we'll have our own MINI Convertible for a long term test in several weeks I wanted to give a sneak peak of the MCS convertible since they are now at dealers.

As expected motoring in the convertible MINI Cooper S is a blast. Virtually all the performance of the hard top with an incredible view as a bonus. While there is some slight steering wheel quiver over railroad tracks and rough Chicago roads it's an exceptionally solid open top car. The extra weight is somewhat apparent but nothing that really dulls the overall senses of the car.

We'll have a huge review in the next several weeks but until then here are some pics to hold you over [ one / two / three / four ]

Ask a Motoring Advisor

Sections: Uncategorized Aug 30th, 2004 57 Comments

MotoringFile is happy to announce our third edition of Ask a Motoring Advisor. Again this is a chance to ask an actual MINI salesperson (Motoring Advisor in MINI Speak) non-technical questions about the purchase, spec or overall buying process of a MINI.

Here's how it works; post the questions in the comments section that you'd like to see answered. We'll cut off all questions by early this Wednesday. From there the most appropriate questions will be chosen by the MA. Naturally not all are guaranteed to be chosen as I'm sure there will be a few redundancies and some might be too technical in nature. We should have the answers to you by the end of the week.

The Motoring Advisor responsible for the answers will remain anonymous but rest assured – he/she has a ton of real world MA experience!

This session of Ask an MA is now closed. We should see answers for the selected questions in a day or two.

Design Parts GMBH Armrest Reviewed

Sections: Uncategorized Aug 29th, 2004 10 Comments

This review was prepared for MotoringFile by DK…

Unlike the more affordable armrests, this one is spare in appearance, stylish and unobtrusive. It is what it says: an armrest. No room for phones, change or cups…just arms.

Installation was a matter of seconds. The front arms pop in on either side of the brake console. At the cupholder side, was a strip of mild adhesive, which seemed more like caulking or silicone than anything else. It seems to function like a gasket/sealant, and was only a couple of inches around the circumferance.

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First Cabrio MCS Review from the US

Sections: Uncategorized Aug 27th, 2004 24 Comments

This comes from a friend who got pretty lucky this evening…

Talk about being in the right place at the right time.. I was picking up my Cooper from its 2 year service tonight, and I stopped by to say hi to my favorite salesmen at Knauz MINI. David mentioned that they had just gotten a new Convertible Cooper S today.

Cool Blue with a blue top and blue leather interior. The leather looked more like an “off black” with reddish/orange stitching. Not bad, but not really blue. I didn’t see it with the top up, so I can’t comment on the color. The chrome gauges look very sharp (I was not expecting to like them), and I really like the body colored dash.

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MINI and CP+B Advertising Win Yet Again

Sections: Uncategorized Aug 27th, 2004 7 Comments

Here's a cool piece of mail that found it's way to the currently overflowing MotoringFile inbox this morning. It's a fascinating glimpse not only at MINI's award winning advertising but also the pieces that never made it to the public:

I'm working on the Tulsa Ad Fed newsletter and we're gonna view the Kelly Awards show video at the next meeting. Of course, Crispin Porter + Bogusky won a Grand Prize for their MINI campaign. Here's a video about their work on the campaign. Oh the things that never saw the light of day!

[VIDEO]

And you can check out their winner's page here.

Thanks Angie!

Attack of the Electronic Folding Mirrors!

Sections: Uncategorized Aug 27th, 2004 33 Comments

This video shows the factory optional electronic folding mirrors in action. Incredibly useful for those tight urban areas! The mirrors are operated by a small button near the mirror switch. While it should be available worldwide it's unfortunately not an option for the US market. Regardless it's totally cool – check it out:

[VIDEO] 2.5MB

Thanks to Alex from NewMINI-Technik for sending it in!