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Archive for January 2006

The JCW GP & Traveller Spied Testing

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R55, R56 Jan 31st, 2006 21 Comments

MPH-Online has a few new MINI spy photos today. The first two are of the Traveller testing mule that has been spotted quite a bit over the last six months. The photos give us a good overall glimpse of the shape of this new MINI but little else. As with other images we’ve seen, the rumored rear suicide doors appear to be covered up by plastic cladding.

The other two spy photos are the first seen yet of the JCW GP out on the road. If there are exterior design changes to come this testing mule doesn’t show them. However I have to say that the GP looks infinitely better in “prototype black” with those new R105 18″ JCW wheels than the grey/4-spoke combo that will be on the car at the time production this summer.

You can check them out below:

[ Mini Traveller and Mini Cooper S Works GP Spied ] MPH

Official MINI Sirius Install Instructions

MotoringFile Sections: DIY Jan 31st, 2006 24 Comments

We’ve got some new DIY goodness for you. These are the official PDF install insutructions for both the MINI Sirius antenna and receiver. Enjoy:

[ MINI Sirius Antenna Install PDF ] Official PDF (200k)

[ MINI Sirius Receiver Install PDF ] Official PDF (400k)

M7 Tuning

MINI UK Navigates a Path to Garmin

MotoringFile Sections: Official News Jan 30th, 2006 9 Comments

BMW and MINI in the UK have launched a new range of portable navigation devices in co-operation with Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Available through the BMW and MINI dealer network, the Garmin StreetPilot c310, c320, c330 and nuvi 350 models are now offered from as little as £299.

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MINI Concept Detroit: Web Round-up

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R55 Jan 30th, 2006 4 Comments

Now that NAIAS is over I thought a quick round-up of coverage on the MINI Concept Detroit was in order:

[ BMW to Build MINI Concept ] Autonews.com

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MINI Magnetic Badges

White Roof Radio Podcast #32

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Jan 30th, 2006 No Comments

mini

By popular demand Randy Webb is back! Randy discusses some upcoming home-grown Webb Motorsports products and general MINI info. Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning a little bit more about performance products for the MINI. Check it out below:

Subscribe | Show Notes | iTunes Link | MP3 Link (30Mb)

MotoringFile Aero Kit Specials

MotoringFile Sections: MF Deals Jan 29th, 2006 26 Comments

05

We’ve got two MotoringFile advertisers running some great specials this week on Aero Kits.

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Out Motoring

MINI Gets Creative with New Agency

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, Marketing Jan 28th, 2006 6 Comments

BusinessWeek has a revealing article in its February 6th issue about MINI’s recent search for a new ad agency. Powerpoint and dark suits, it was not:

MINI started out following a standard script, up to a point. McDowell’s first move was to hire Raleigh (N.C.)-based consultant Hasan Ramusevic, who handles a dozen ad agency searches a year. Ramusevic began with 50 candidates; MINI whittled them down to eight, inviting them to answer long questionnaires and visit headquarters. Of those, four were selected for a rigorous tryout process that would last two months.

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MotoringFile Reviews for February

MotoringFile Sections: Site News Jan 27th, 2006 18 Comments

We’ve got a couple of reviews that are on tap for Februrary that I thought you ought to know about:

  • 2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI (DSG)
  • John Cooper Works Cold Air Intake
  • Supersprint Street Exhaust (MCS)

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Prestige MINI

Auto Express Reviews the JCW MCSa

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, R53 Jan 27th, 2006 34 Comments

Auto Express got behind the wheel of the new JCW Cooper S automatic recently and came away less than impressed. Here’s an excerpt:

Under the bonnet is the manual car’s 1.6-litre engine. Although it features an uprated supercharger, performance air filter and modified head, the auto’s torque converter drops output by 7bhp to 203bhp. And unlike VW’s DSG, the MINI’s conventional six-speed auto not only drains power, but is slow to change gear, too.

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BMW Group Posts Record Revenues for 2005

MotoringFile Sections: Official News Jan 27th, 2006 14 Comments

The BMW Group has grown faster than the market as a whole and faster than all relevant competitors in the financial year 2005 and has achieved new record figures for sales volume and revenues. Group revenues rose by 5.2% to euro 46,656 million (2004: euro 44,335 million). Revenues of the Automobile segment increased by 7.8% to euro 45,861 million (2004: euro 42,544 million). The Motorcycles segment recorded revenues of euro 1,223 million (+18.9%; 2004: euro 1,029 million). Revenues of the Financial Services segment increased by 14.4% to euro 9,408 million (2004: euro 8,226 million).

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2007 Cooper S at the Nürburgring (video)

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R56 Jan 26th, 2006 56 Comments

mini

AutoExpress as an article this month on the new MINI that recaps most of what we’ve been saying on MotoringFile for the past year or so. However it’s not the article that you’ll want to click over for. They also have a two and a half minute long video of the new MINI Cooper S ripping up the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Not only can you see the car on the track for the first time but you can actually hear it’s engine note. While it doesn’t have the supercharger whine that most love, the new turbocharged hi-tech mill has an aggressive note that is sure to impress.

You can check out both below:

[ The 2007 MINI at the Nurgurgring Video ] AutoExpress (4MB/Quicktime)

[ The New MK2 MINI ] AutoExpress

Top Gear on the Next MINI

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R55, R56 Jan 26th, 2006 8 Comments

Top Gear does the best job of any of the larger media outlets in cutting through the rumors and getting to the fact about the next generation MINI. While there’s probably nothing in the articles that MF readers would consider new information, it’s a great recap of what we know and what we’ll see in the coming years.

[ New Age Traveller ] MotoringFile

Italdesign Helps Engineer the 2007 MINI

MotoringFile Sections: R56 Jan 25th, 2006 34 Comments

We had heard rumors last year of Italdesign’s involvement in the next generation MINI but at the time they were sketchy and hardly worth a mention. Well they’re sketchy no more. Automotive news has put the pieces together and is reporting that Italdesign is working with BMW to help engineer the car’s chassis and body structure. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

BMW styled the new Mini and designed the Mini’s powertrain jointly with its cooperation partner PSA/Peugeot-Citroen and it will be built at Mini’s UK plant. But Italdesign is handling all other development — including developmental engineering of the body, structure and chassis — and parts validation.

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Next Generation MINI Drops the CVT

MotoringFile Sections: R56 Jan 25th, 2006 21 Comments

The much loved (and loathed) CVT transmission available on the MINI One and Cooper will be dropped by MINI in favor of a standard style automatic. No details have been confirmed yet but expect something similar to what is currently found in the Cooper S. And for those that are of the manual persuasion, the Cooper will go from five to six forward gears for it’s manual transmission in 2007. This will undoubtedly go a long way in making those high speed road trips easier on the ears.

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Next Generation MINI Production Timeline

MotoringFile Sections: R56 Jan 24th, 2006 25 Comments

With BMW introducing the new MINI late this year, there have been lots of questions from MotoringFile readers about future availability of both the new and current car. With some recently received information we are now able to give a more accurate view of 2006 and early 2007 production.

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Previous Select MF Features

2007
MINI Officially Updates Line-up for 2008
New Models & Production Locations Confirmed
MotoringFile's MINI United Coverage
2007 JCW Kit Officially Announced
MINI's Top Secret Colorado Project
2009 Factory JCW MCS (Stage II)
More MINI Variants Officially Confirmed
MINI Clubman Official Photos and Specs
R56 Pedestrian Crash Analysis
Future JCW Vehicles Revealed
MINI USA's Motorby Pilot Program
MINI Clubman Update & Sketch
BMW To Re-Brand JCW
2007 MINI MotoringFile Q&A
MINI One and MINI Cooper D Now Official
2007 MINI Reader Reviews
2007 MINI USA Pricing and Options
MINI Unveils the Sidewalk

2006
MF Design Analysis: 2007 MINI
2007 JCW Accessories Revealed
MINI Names the R55: The Clubman 2007 MINI In Detail (Part 2 / Part 3)
2007 MINI Official Photos (Part 2 / Part 3)
2007 MINI Drops Weight
Official 2007 MINI UK PDFs
2007 Nav Includes iDrive-Like Controller
2007 US Market Options Packages
Hey Stracco: The Interview
Let's Plan: MINI Clubs & MTTS
MINI's Official R56 Preview Photos
MINI's Official R56 Preview
Next Generation MINI Revealed (#2)
'07 MC & MCS Spotted in Death Valley
2007 MINI Color List (US Market)
'07 MINI Gets More Power/Less Weight
MF Review: MINIs on the Dragon
MINI USA Releases JCW GP Pricing
JCW Cooper S Long Term Review
Seven New Colors for 2007
MINI Release Info on Next Gen Engines
Chicago Autoshow Gallery
JCW GP at Geneva (final release info)
2006 JCW Product Info
MINI Concept Detroit - In Detail
MINI Sourced Triump Still Years Away
US Connection for MINI's new Roadster
First MINI Now Triumph?
More News on the MINI Triumph Concept

2005
Behind the Wheel of the 2007 MINI
MINI Concept Tokyo - In Detail
MINI Concept Frankfurt - In Detail
Driven: The Nürburgring Nordschleife
MINI Wins at Targe Newfoundland
2006 JCW Accessories
US Market Color Changes for 2006
Getrag's All Wheel Drive MINI In Depth
BMW/MINI to Buy JCW?
Official 2006 MINIUSA Pricing
Special Editions/Package for 2006
Checkmate Options Package (USA)
JCW Direct From to the Factory in '06
Tips on How to Sell Your MINI
2006 Model Year Timeline
MINI's 2006 Color Changes
Next Generation MINI Revealed
Official MINI Armrest Revealed
MotoringFile Review: MCS Auto

2004
Details on the MCS Limited Slip Dif
MotoringFile 2004 Holiday Gift Guide
Getrag Tests All-Wheel Drive MINI
Q&A on the OutMotoring ARC Armrest
2005 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery
MINI USA's JCW GP Delivery Program
2005 MINI Changes
The Cabrio In Depth / Gallery
Special Edition MC40 / Gallery
MINI Plant Tour Review
Hood Rub Service Bulletin
2004 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery

2003
MINI Accessory Additions for 2004
CVT Paddles Retrofit
2005 MINI Spotted
Rear Fogs Almost Here
New Prince Engine Caught Testing
MINI Releases Hood Rub Bulletin
MINI_Motion Launched
MINI Conquers Snow and Ice
MINI One D Announced
MINI Named North American Car of the Year
Black Wow
Helix Minisports

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MF Club Mappr mini
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MotoringFile Buyers Guides

R50 ('02-'06 MC) Buyers Guide
R53 ('02-'06 MCS) Buyers Guide

MotoringFile Reviews

Auto Reviews:
'08 MINI Clubman
Comparison: '08 BMW 135i
'06 R53 MCS vs '07 R56 MCS
'07 R56 JCW (Stage 1)
'07 MINI Cooper S Long Term
'07 BMW Z4 M Coupe
'07 MINI Cooper & Cooper S
Audio: '07 MC/MCS at the Track
'06 JCW GP Long term
Reader Review: JCW GP
'06 JCW Cooper S Long Term
Comparison: '06 Lotus Elise
Comparison: '06 Mazda MX5
Comparison: '06 UK Focus ST
Comparison: '06 Civic Si
Comparison: '04 TVR T350
Comparison: '06 Nissan 350z
Comparison: '06 VW GTI w/DSG
Podcast: Cooper S Auto
Podcast: BMW 325i
Podcast: JCW MC Soundkit
'04 JCW MINI Cooper Tuning Kit
'05 MCS: One Month Review
'05 MCS Auto
'05 JCW S 1st Drive
'05 MINI Cooper
'05 MCS Conv. Long Term
'05 MINI Cooper S
'05 MCS Cabrio 1st Drive
'04 JCW MCS First Drive
'04 MC w/JCW Tuning Kit
BMW M3 SMG Vs. MCS
'04 MINI Cooper CVT
'02 MCS 3 year Review
Autocrossing the MINI Range

cafepress



Performance Accessories:
R56 JCW Suspension (Track)
R56 JCW Suspension (Street)
R53 Craven Speed Short Shifter
R53 M7 Understrut System
Kumho Ecsta SPT Tires
R53 M7 Strut Tower Plates
R53 JCW Alcantara Wheel
R53 JCW Brake Kit
R53 Webb 15% Pulley
R53 Helix MCSa 15% Pulley
R53 H-Sport 19mm Sway Bar
R53 MCS Supersprint Exhaust
Podcast: R53 MCS SS Exhaust
R53 JCW Cold Air Intake
Reader Rev.: R53 JCW Brakes
R50 Supersprint Exhaust
R50 Remus Exhaust
R50 Promini Intake
R50 Remus Dual Exhaust
Schroth Harness System
R50 CVT Steering Wheel Paddles

Exterior Accessories:
Miniature's Receiver Hitch
OEM White Tail Lights

Lifestyle Accessories:
MINI_Motion Watch
MINI_Motion Driving Shoe

Audio:
MINI Digital SoundModul
ICE-Link Plus iPod Adapter
Official BMW/iPod adapter
ICE-Link iPod Adapter
Kenwood iPod Interface
Alpine iPod Interface
Harman Kardon Stereo

Interior Accessories:
JCW Alcantara Steering Wheel JCW Leather Dash
MCAW Auto Up Circuit
MINI Rear Camera
MINI Rear Saddle (official)
MINI Rear Cargo Storage Case
Official MINI Rear Saddle Bag
2004 MINI Armrest Reviewed
Mymini Knee Pad
MINI Bluetooth Kit
MINI Video Input
Aftermarket Bluetooth Integration
Ian Cull Auto-up Circuit
Universal Mobile Phone Holder

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MINI Model Number Cheat Sheet:

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Coupe
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Coupe
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: One/MC/MCS Coupe
R57: One/MC/MCS Convt.
R60: MINI SUV