Sections: DIY Feb 28th, 2005 27 Comments (From MINIUSA):
Due to a wiring change in 7/04, a new Satellite Radio Antenna was developed for 2005 or newer MINI Cooper and Cooper S Coupes. The appearance of the antenna remains the same. However, the connector for the AM/FM portion o the antenna and the power connector have changed and a new antenna mast must be used.
Sections: Site News Feb 28th, 2005 37 Comments Time to reset your cache and refresh your browsers, today is a big day at MotoringFile. We’ve added a new way to read MINI related news from around the web and refined (yet again) our look and feel.
As some of you may know MotoringFile was the first MINI website with an RSS feed and we continue to be big proponents of the technology. With increased use of these feeds by MINI related websites, many people have found a new and efficient way of reading their favorite websites with RSS news reading software. However, the vast majority of users haven’t adopted the standard. Whether it’s a case of not wanting to download yet another program or simply not knowing about RSS, there remains a large group that haven’t taken advantage of the technology.
Sections: DIY, JCW, R50, R53 Feb 26th, 2005 43 Comments 
Now that the JCW Brake Kit is readily available at dealers (and even on MINIUSA), let’s take an closer look at some of the specs (From MINIUSA):
Aftersales is pleased to announce the release of the new John Cooper Works Sport Brake Kit.
The John Cooper Works Sport Brake Kit can be installed on all MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtop and Convertible. The Brake kit was designed and developed by John Cooper Works in conjunction with the BMW Group brake specialists and has been tested and approved on the basis of the BMW/MINI requirements.
Sections: Official News Feb 25th, 2005 14 Comments 
From the Korea Times:
German auto giant BMW yesterday unveiled the premium compact Mini to Korean consumers, targeting the younger generation eager to take up the latest fad.
BMW sold 187,357 units of the Mini in more than 70 countries last year. BMW Group Korea said the car will appeal to those in their 20s and 30s who pursue distinguished lifestyles.
Sections: DIY, Official News, R50, R52, R53 Feb 25th, 2005 13 Comments Here’s some important information for all those with US spec MINIs built after 1/05 (from an internal MINIUSA bulletin):
The MINI Cooper and Cooper S production 01/05 and forward will have an OC3 mat in the passenger seat. Therefore the seat covers and sheepskin seat savers are not to be installed on the passenger seat of these models.
Sections: DIY Feb 24th, 2005 23 Comments MINI has finally introduced an official retrofit kit for the chrome line interior kit. Here’s all the info:
The chrome Tach-meter and the chrome Speedo/Tach-meter on the steering column (in combination with the chrono pack or the navigation system) are only available as complete units, as the chrome bezels on these items cannot be changed. They are not included in the kit and must be ordered separately.
The entire kit and individual parts should be available now at your local MINI dealer. For part numbers and pricing download the PDF below:
Sections: Events Feb 22nd, 2005 43 Comments 
If you must roll your MINI, do it into snow!
The recent Hudson Bay Or Bust road trip took MINIs north into Canada and freezing cold, and David Rose (Ducttape on MINI2), led with the top down on his convertible!
David had driven the same route before but not in such cold; Months of planning and discussion on the MINI2 thread prepared everyone for their journey, but nothing could prepare them for the accident that occurred, when Davids convertible lost traction and flipped into a snow bank!
First reports were worrying but hopeful: “Just heard some bad news. No one hurt from what I hear but David rolled his MINI. Both passengers are ok. Happened with the top down. It did a couple of 360’s. Very icy roads up there“; later we heard “There’s speculation that the cabrio may still be driveable!” (from Cape Cod Mini)
Now, David is back home and safe - with his MINI!
Sections: MF Feature, Rumor Feb 22nd, 2005 36 Comments 
With the revolution that is the iPod exploding around us, many companies have sought ways to integrate the car audio with digital music. This has given the MINI owner several viable options of listening to an iPod through the car stereo. However all these choices still involve wires or at the very least some type of connecting cradle and aren’t quite as integrated as some might hope. Now comes word of a new solution that could not only make us rethink the way our car can interact with an iPod, but our work seamlessly with our mobile phones as well.
Here’s an excerpt from a recent article at Appleinsider:
In an interview with Radio France, Nedelcou let it slip that consumers will soon be able to broadcast music wirelessly from their iPod through their car speakers. Similarly, he said that users will be able to answer incoming phone calls without having to operate their mobile phone handset.
Sections: MF Feature Feb 22nd, 2005 23 Comments [ CCC Border Raid Video ] Counterfeitmini.com / 3MB Quicktime
It just gets better and better…
Sections: R53, Reviews Feb 21st, 2005 67 Comments 
Few things have garnered as much debate as the new for 2005 optional automatic transmission for the Cooper S. Quite a few MINI enthusiasts have expressed outrage at the idea of an automatic transmission in the MCS and believe the reputation of the car will be suffer from it. Yet, there are those with physical limitations, long commutes, or who simply don’t know how to drive a manual that have welcomed the new option and praised MINI for finally bringing it to market. Needless to say the debate as raged on for months with no end in sight for those most opinionated.
Despite all the debates and opinions, the MCSa will be out on the streets of the US in large numbers within months. In fact, more than one Motoring Advisor I talked with was seeing about 75% of all recent MCS orders equipped with the automatic. What’s more, he was seeing a shift in the customers that were coming in to specifically ask about the MCSa. The type of customer that simply wanted the fastest and most expensive MINI equipped with a transmission they could finally drive. Certainly it’s all enough to get the diehard manual fans out there up in arms.
However, with this review I wanted to try to put all this debate aside and focus on one simple question. How does it drive?
Sections: Sales Feb 18th, 2005 28 Comments From MINIUSA Press:
MINI USA announces it has achieved a sales milestone, retailing the 100,000th MINI in the US market. With initial sales targets of 20,000 units per year at the time of launch, MINI has consistently exceeded expectations over the last three years, reaching the 100,000-unit mark a full two years ahead of projections.
Sections: Best of the Web Feb 18th, 2005 18 Comments From the BBC:
It’s been a great week for the Mini, as BMW puts another $188m into its Oxford factory. Business has been buoyed by 36,000 sales in the US - but can it be comfortable driving a Mini on American roads where other cars are as big as tanks? Magazine reader and Mini driver Candace Sleeman, from New Jersey, here tells of the view from the kerbside.
“When I park my Mini next to one of the monster SUVs, or 4×4s as you call them in the UK, it’s maybe a third of their length. Those things are huge now, they are just getting bigger and bigger, believe me.”
Follow the link for the entire article:
[ Confessions of a US Mini driver ] BBC
Sections: DIY, Official News, R50, R52, R53 Feb 18th, 2005 33 Comments 
From MINIUSA Aftersales:
This accessory protects the paint of the rear bumper from getting scratched by loading and unloading the MINI. With adhesive backing, the bumper protection can be easily installed on all MINI hardtop rear bumpers, including the aero kit bumper. The protection stripe matches the structure of the other black edges around the bumper and the fender flares.
In case you’re wondering, the part number is 82 11 0 393 995 and it retails for $40.
Sections: Official News Feb 18th, 2005 1 Comment 
By now this if very old news. But for the sake of making it completely and utterly official here’s BMW’s press release on the topic of the MINI plant expansion at Oxford (via MINIUSA press):
The BMW Group will be investing over $188 million USD in the Oxford plant between now and 2007 and will be creating around 200 new jobs in MINI production. Most of this investment will be in the further optimization of the plant?s production capacities, mainly in a new body shell production building and in further modernization of the paint shop.
Sections: Spotlight Feb 17th, 2005 18 Comments 
MotoringFile Spotlight is back from it’s winter slumber with a little taste of southern California. In this edition we’re spotlighting Don Burnside (or db as he’s known in the MINI world):
Hi. My name is Don Burnside and I’m a MINIac, born and raised in Southern California for the last 36 years.
My obsession started in 2002. I was in the market for a new vehicle and nothing was really working for me. On my list were cars ranging from sport coupes to full sized pickups. Then I saw it.
Copyright © 2002-2007 Gabriel Bridger