Comments on: Detroit Auto Show Galleries http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/ MINI Cooper news, reviews and opinion. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:26:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: nick http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15535 nick Tue, 01 Feb 2005 16:18:01 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15535 <p>hey, my name is nick barger, im 16 yrs. old and i live in Columbia City, OR. im a big fan of cars, especially all of the new ones that are now comeing out also the concept cars. i have bunches of pics of my own designs, i was hoping if you saw them you'd like 'em. P.S.write back soon.</p> <p>Nick.</p> hey, my name is nick barger, im 16 yrs. old and i live in Columbia City, OR. im a big fan of cars, especially all of the new ones that are now comeing out also the concept cars. i have bunches of pics of my own designs, i was hoping if you saw them you’d like ‘em. P.S.write back soon.

Nick.

]]> By: Marcus Strom http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15533 Marcus Strom Mon, 17 Jan 2005 05:53:07 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15533 <p>MrV & supergimp, excellent pics of the steering wheel! That confirms the new bluetooth pack and the paddles for me! Muchos Gracias!</p> MrV & supergimp, excellent pics of the steering wheel! That confirms the new bluetooth pack and the paddles for me! Muchos Gracias!

]]> By: Pete Foglia http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15532 Pete Foglia Mon, 17 Jan 2005 03:54:18 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15532 <p>LIke those BBS's-gotta look into that...</p> <p>Thanks for the coeverage!</p> <p>Pete Foglia MyMini</p> LIke those BBS's-gotta look into that…

Thanks for the coeverage!

Pete Foglia MyMini

]]> By: morknmini http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15531 morknmini Mon, 17 Jan 2005 03:07:25 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15531 <p>I couldn't decide between the Lexus convertible or the Mercedes Grand Tourer for Clever Design in the Real Car category. Both are beyong my means anyway. </p> <p>Auto Pacific claims there are 251 car models to choose from in 2005! Mark Scheuem has shown some of them at their best (but how did he get that bird's eye view of the family of large mouthed Audis?). An excellent photo gallery. I got tired just thinking of how many hours it must have taken to get those beautiful photos!</p> <p>I agree with Vanwall that the Mini, compared to all others, comes off as a classic. Perhaps not quite in the same league as the 550. But quirkiness counts and the current Mini design has plenty of that. I hope BMW doesn't smooth out the shape too much in the next series. </p> <p>Thanks for a quality post! Happy MLK Day.</p> I couldn't decide between the Lexus convertible or the Mercedes Grand Tourer for Clever Design in the Real Car category. Both are beyong my means anyway.

Auto Pacific claims there are 251 car models to choose from in 2005! Mark Scheuem has shown some of them at their best (but how did he get that bird's eye view of the family of large mouthed Audis?). An excellent photo gallery. I got tired just thinking of how many hours it must have taken to get those beautiful photos!

I agree with Vanwall that the Mini, compared to all others, comes off as a classic. Perhaps not quite in the same league as the 550. But quirkiness counts and the current Mini design has plenty of that. I hope BMW doesn't smooth out the shape too much in the next series.

Thanks for a quality post! Happy MLK Day.

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15529 Vanwall Mon, 17 Jan 2005 01:09:24 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15529 <p>Nice shots! There are some really nice ideas coming up for the car world in general, to judge by some of these. Yeah, I know, there are a lotta butt-uglies too, but lets hope the Aztek has cured any delusions of grandeur that might linger in the air. Nice to see the MINI is still holding its own as a styling exercise - because it's so iconic, anything even remotely resembling it seems like a cheap knock-off. ;-) </p> <p>Very surprised but pleased to see Kling's Panamericana class-winning Porsche 550 in attendance - it's ultra simplistic design is so clean and cool-looking, (like a MINI's!) it's actually quite refreshing. Those first few 550s were just beautiful.</p> <p><pre><code> BCNU, Rob in Dago </code></pre></p> Nice shots! There are some really nice ideas coming up for the car world in general, to judge by some of these. Yeah, I know, there are a lotta butt-uglies too, but lets hope the Aztek has cured any delusions of grandeur that might linger in the air. Nice to see the MINI is still holding its own as a styling exercise – because it's so iconic, anything even remotely resembling it seems like a cheap knock-off. ;-)

Very surprised but pleased to see Kling's Panamericana class-winning Porsche 550 in attendance – it's ultra simplistic design is so clean and cool-looking, (like a MINI's!) it's actually quite refreshing. Those first few 550s were just beautiful.

      BCNU,
    Rob in Dago

]]> By: drew http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15530 drew Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:09:51 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15530 <p>i did - very cool! i'd love to see the back of wheel if anyone has a shot.</p> <p>cheers - drew</p> i did – very cool! i'd love to see the back of wheel if anyone has a shot.

cheers – drew

]]> By: MrV http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15528 MrV Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:07:34 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15528 <p>Drew,</p> <p>Have you seen these ?</p> <p>http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?p=453664#post453664</p> Drew,

Have you seen these ?

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?p=453664#post453664

]]> By: drew http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15527 drew Sun, 16 Jan 2005 20:09:21 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15527 <p>yes - more pics of the paddles on the MCSa would be most welcomed! ; )</p> yes – more pics of the paddles on the MCSa would be most welcomed! ; )

]]> By: Marcus http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15526 Marcus Sun, 16 Jan 2005 20:05:49 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15526 <p>Evan, thanks for the info! I needed confirmation on the new bluetooth! Awesome! Any pics you have would be great! Thanks!</p> Evan, thanks for the info! I needed confirmation on the new bluetooth! Awesome! Any pics you have would be great! Thanks!

]]> By: MrV http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15525 MrV Sun, 16 Jan 2005 19:46:27 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15525 <p>Yeah, anyone got more interior pics ? My MCS doesn't get here for another 1.5 months.</p> Yeah, anyone got more interior pics ? My MCS doesn't get here for another 1.5 months.

]]> By: kcollins http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15524 kcollins Sun, 16 Jan 2005 18:43:32 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15524 <p>Hey if anyone is interested (or cares) I managed to get the NAIAS MINI Press kit! Pretty posh - but not as nice as the kit that came out of Jaguar or Land Rover! :-)</p> Hey if anyone is interested (or cares) I managed to get the NAIAS MINI Press kit! Pretty posh – but not as nice as the kit that came out of Jaguar or Land Rover! :-)

]]> By: jordan http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15523 jordan Sun, 16 Jan 2005 18:23:59 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15523 <p>more pics please</p> more pics please

]]> By: Evan http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15522 Evan Sun, 16 Jan 2005 18:23:51 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15522 <p>I noticed a few subtle things too. First was the new windshield washer fluid light- all of the 10/04 builds at the show had that addition (which I wish I had on my 2004). The second was the addition of two "phone" buttons on the MFSW that I had never seen before. Apparently the R/T and phone symbol buttons are now on the wheel to the right of the audio controls. And the corresponding bluetooth fob on the down post looks smaller, but still awkward. And the answer is that yes the wheel with the extra buttons is retrofittable (at least according to the MINI rep at the show) and he said it would be about $400 w/o labor... </p> <p>There was also a MINI with a center armrest. It was aestetically good but quality wise seemed flimsy and blocks the rear cupholder for all but a soda can. It did flip back though, supporting arms and all. I have the "official MINI armrest" from the group buy that's not official anymore and it is a much better piece, even if its legs look a little awkward.</p> <p>The webspokes are very nice in person with great detail and the revised interior is nice too, subtle changes that help it appear in better shape. One last thing was a "passenger airbag" light near the sunroof controls. I didn't see a keyturn shut off but maybe they've added a weight sensor to the passenger seat? Any info on that would be cool.</p> <p>The MINI display was incredible and tons of fun! If you can get to the show, you really should. The best part was spending 8.5 hours there looking at every car and realizing how perfect my MC purchase was. The only car I considered taking home was another MINI....!</p> <p>Motor On.</p> I noticed a few subtle things too. First was the new windshield washer fluid light- all of the 10/04 builds at the show had that addition (which I wish I had on my 2004). The second was the addition of two “phone” buttons on the MFSW that I had never seen before. Apparently the R/T and phone symbol buttons are now on the wheel to the right of the audio controls. And the corresponding bluetooth fob on the down post looks smaller, but still awkward. And the answer is that yes the wheel with the extra buttons is retrofittable (at least according to the MINI rep at the show) and he said it would be about $400 w/o labor…

There was also a MINI with a center armrest. It was aestetically good but quality wise seemed flimsy and blocks the rear cupholder for all but a soda can. It did flip back though, supporting arms and all. I have the “official MINI armrest” from the group buy that's not official anymore and it is a much better piece, even if its legs look a little awkward.

The webspokes are very nice in person with great detail and the revised interior is nice too, subtle changes that help it appear in better shape. One last thing was a “passenger airbag” light near the sunroof controls. I didn't see a keyturn shut off but maybe they've added a weight sensor to the passenger seat? Any info on that would be cool.

The MINI display was incredible and tons of fun! If you can get to the show, you really should. The best part was spending 8.5 hours there looking at every car and realizing how perfect my MC purchase was. The only car I considered taking home was another MINI….!

Motor On.

]]> By: Mark Scheuern http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15534 Mark Scheuern Sun, 16 Jan 2005 14:09:42 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15534 <p>Thanks, guys, and it was great fun running around the show with Ryan.</p> <p>Mark</p> Thanks, guys, and it was great fun running around the show with Ryan.

Mark

]]> By: Rick http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15521 Rick Sun, 16 Jan 2005 04:55:25 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15521 <p>I am heading up Thursday. Anything I should seek out?</p> I am heading up Thursday. Anything I should seek out?

]]> By: Ryephile http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15520 Ryephile Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:06:42 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15520 <p>It was great hanging out with Mark S. during the press days. As you can see his photography skills are top shelf!</p> <p>I did see the amber warning lamp on the end of the wiper stalk where the red alarm light used to be. Same thing, different color and function!</p> It was great hanging out with Mark S. during the press days. As you can see his photography skills are top shelf!

I did see the amber warning lamp on the end of the wiper stalk where the red alarm light used to be. Same thing, different color and function!

]]> By: Jim http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15519 Jim Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:03:07 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15519 <p>Wow ! Just like being there, Marks photos are just great, thanks</p> Wow ! Just like being there, Marks photos are just great, thanks

]]> By: Damon http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15518 Damon Sat, 15 Jan 2005 20:59:49 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15518 <p>Are the new bonnet stripes for the Cooper now the same as the ones for the "S"? The "S" always had white with black edges or black with whites edges like the picture above and the Coopers had just plain stripes. Anyone know why the Cooper above has "S" stripes?</p> Are the new bonnet stripes for the Cooper now the same as the ones for the “S”? The “S” always had white with black edges or black with whites edges like the picture above and the Coopers had just plain stripes. Anyone know why the Cooper above has “S” stripes?

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15517 Gabe Sat, 15 Jan 2005 19:34:35 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15517 <p>I was thinking of LA - fixed.</p> I was thinking of LA – fixed.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/15/detroit_auto_show_galleries/comment-page-1/#comment-15516 Ryan Sat, 15 Jan 2005 18:13:09 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/01/15/#comment-15516 <p>Coming to a close? The show doesn't open (to the public) until Jan. 15. It runs until Jan. 23. Cool post though.</p> Coming to a close? The show doesn't open (to the public) until Jan. 15. It runs until Jan. 23. Cool post though.

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