Archive for August 2005
Aug 31st, 2005
White Roof Radio Podcast #9 is a wrap and it looks like we’ve got the best one to date. We were lucky enough to have the famous Randy Webb from Webb Motorsports on to answer questions and to give his thoughts on all things MINI. The only problem is that I just can’t wait for it to be released later in the week. So as a special mid-week surprise for MotoringFile readers I’m happy to present a bit of a bootlegged version for early release.
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Aug 31st, 2005
We do our best to make MotoringFile your window into the MINI world. In doing so we typically like to keep world news out of our general scope. However, I think the recent events in the southern US warrant a mention. If you’d like to help victims of Hurricane Katrina please follow the link below:
[ Help Needed for Hurricane Victims ] Fema.gov
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Aug 30th, 2005
We’ve got the goods on the three new OEM wheels for the 2006 model year including full weight numbers. In the US all three will be available as dealer accessories with the Flame Spoke (aka the Horseshoe) also being part of the Checkmate package. Outside the US the Delta Spoke will come on the MINI Cooper S7ven; the Bridge Spoke on the Cooper Parklane; and the Flame Spoke on the MCS Checkmate.
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Aug 30th, 2005
There’s no word on whether MINI will be using a system like this but it’s fascinating nonetheless (from Reuters):
IBM is set to give details Tuesday about plans to sell sophisticated search technologies allowing automakers to cut warranty expenses, which cost the car industry about $14 billion annually.
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Aug 30th, 2005
I have the good fortune of having a friend and coworker that recently acquired a classic Mini. It needs a little work, but looks great, runs well and is in overall good shape. Not to mention it makes me more than a little jealous,..
After conferring with other local classic owners, inspecting and test-driving their cars, he’s beginning to gather the bits and pieces to complete his car and to give it a bit more pep. Which for me (being a fellow Mini/MINI fanatic and general car nut) is a fascinating process.
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Aug 29th, 2005
Winding Road is chock full of MINI related info in this latest issue. In the past several issues Winding Road has been counting down the top 50 driver’s cars and in this latest issue they’ve finally revealed the top ten. In a move that recalls a similar ranking by Evo a few years ago, the MINI has come in at a lofty 3rd. What’s ahead of the Cooper S? Well that would be a sleek little coupe from Stuttgart and some mid-engined monster from Modena. Here’s what they had to say about the MINI:
In a world where colossal SUVs rule and boys dream of decadent Maybachs or 600-hp supercars, it would seem there is little room for a diminutive hatchback with about a quarter of an Enzo’s power. The explosive little Mini, however, can hold it’s own in today’s daunting world of automobiles. It’s backed up by a heritage of conquering Goliaths, and after driving one it’s not hard to see how the little Brit could win rally stages.
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Aug 29th, 2005
The PDF based car magazine, Winding Road, has a MINI related comparison in it’s most recent issue. Pitted against the MINI are two very different cars, the Ford Mustang GT and the Nissan 300ZX. Here’s an excerpt from the PDF magazine:
Part of the Mini secret is that is has quick steering and a suspension tuned for flat,
linear handling. The quick steering amplifies the sense of agility that the short wheelbase provides automatically. Not only that, but you get a good sense of what the contact patches are doing. The flat handling inspires confidence, which is helped along by the uncanny feeling that the Mini wants to ove-steer. This is a front-driver after all, and everyone knows that front drivers under-steer. But BMW has built in a subtle initial move at the rear that communicates the desire of the car to rotate. This would be a risky strategy if the car couldn’t cash the check written by this tuning, but the front just tracks away up to some pretty high limits.
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Aug 29th, 2005
From Montereyhistoric.com:
Cooper will be the featured marque at the 33rd Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, August 18-20, 2006, announced Steven J. Earle, president of General Racing Ltd. and founder of the event. Cooper Car Company will be part of a larger celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, featuring the racecars and champions that have competed there.
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Aug 29th, 2005
All wheels all the time! White Roof Radio podcast #7 is up and it’s all about the MINI OEM wheel. Wheel designs, wheel weights and those pesky wheel numbers no-one can remember. If you’re a newbie especially, this show is for you. You can check it out at the links below:
Subscribe | Show Notes | iTunes Link
Aug 26th, 2005
This bit of info comes from frequent contributor Drew Lavyne
Just wanted to report in to the mothership here… got my mcsa back from service today for the (what seems like) common 2005 supercharger belt/alternator squeal. they replaced the alternator drive belt and fan belt and all is great. But that’s not why I am writing in.
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Aug 26th, 2005
Well… certainly one of the ultimate MINIs. Casey Swenson, employee at Promini/BMP and a good friend of MotoringFile is selling the famous Bluethunder MINI Cooper S. The car was originally bought by Promini as a way demonstrate some of their higher-end products. It’s got about everything you can imagine and a total of 245hp. And stickers!
Casey is asking 25k for what has to be one of the most incredible MINIs out there. You can check it out below:
[ Blue Thunder For Sale! ] Autotrader
Aug 25th, 2005
All you Podcasting fans know the drill. White Roof Radio has another Podcast and I’m guesting again. You can check it out at the links below:
Subscribe | Show Notes | iTunes Link
Aug 25th, 2005
The lightweight MCS is just one of thosoe rumors that doesn’t seem to go away. Paul over at MINI2 has been adamant (in the face of some skepticism) that it will be built and released before the current generation car is out of production. Yet we’ve seen very little mention of it in the standard automotive press and I have yet to hear any specific rumors myself.
Now it would appear that Edmunds.com has picked up the story from MINI2 and added a few wrinkles. Here’s an excerpt:
A Mini enthusiast Web site says the lightweight Cooper S will probably be announced at the Frankfurt auto show next month, and the model will be a strictly limited edition probably 2,000 cars worldwide.
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Aug 24th, 2005
MINIUSA has just announced that they will be offering the official John Cooper Works Challenge Decals as dealer accessories. The decals are featured in the JCW Challenge racing series as seen in the above pic (the checkered stripe at the bottom of the car) and in this photo from the recent Let’s MINI event in Germany. Here’s the part number and retail pricing info:
51 14 0 393 101 / MSRP $81.25
The decals should be available at US MINI dealers as of this week. (They’ve been out for a while now in the UK and Europe)
You can download the official PDF release here.
Aug 24th, 2005
Lately we’ve heard of a couple reports from folks that have been having various (seemingly related) window issues. Here’s a great write-up from a long time reader about his issues and what seems to be the only quick fix at present:
My late-2003-build Cooper S has developed an issue with the passenger window motor three times in the past two or three months, it has stopped working, making it impossible to roll down the window. When you press the switch, you hear something engage, but nothing happens. No dip, no roll, the window stays up.
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