Archive for June 2006
Jun 30th, 2006
We’ve got a few updates of random facts for those eagerly anticipating their GPs.
- GP roof numbers are in for many owners. If you haven’t received yours, it should be arriving soon.
- The GP will not include rear speakers due to weight saving measures. That means only 4 speakers total.
- The 18″ GP wheels (aka the R107) weigh in at 19.84 pounds. Officially the lightest 17″ or 18″ wheel from MINI.
- Roof numbers for those getting their GPs at Monterey are based generally on a first come first serve basis. So if you wanted to low number car you needed to opt for a MTTS delivery.
- For those getting their GPs at dealers, roof numbers will appear to be fairly random. I’m told there’s a system to it, just not one that owners will be able to identify or influence.
We’ll have more in the weeks ahead.
Jun 29th, 2006
A year and a half ago we dropped the scoop that MINI USA was preparing to introduce a pre-owned program very similar to BMW’s “Certified Pre-Owned program” called MINI Next. This weekend, that program becomes a reality.
The system virtually mirrors BMW’s CPO program in the way it handles prep and warranties on the cars. MINI USA will be launching the program with the help of eight “pilot” dealers. At this time we can only confirm Patrick MINI will be the Central Region pilot for MINI Next.
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Jun 29th, 2006
MotoringFile reader Jeff Steele has taken some great shots from today’s North American MINI Cooper Championship race today at Summit Point Raceway. Randy Webb won the first race, and would have won the second but had to drop out due to fuel problems. In fact he barely made the start of the first race because of a power steering problem. He was fixing the car up to the last minute! We’ll have a full race recap soon. However until then you can see the photos here.
Jun 29th, 2006
I’ll be traveling down to the USGP at Indianapolis tomorrow with the same crew that did the Dragon earlier this year. Only this time the trip will be the start of my long term MCS JCW test that will run for the next week. Expect a few images posted on the MotoringFile Flickr site throughout the weekend along with some thoughts on the MCS JCW kit on MotoringFile.
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Jun 28th, 2006
Rounds 7 and 8 of the UK based MINI Challenge at Castle Combe in Wiltshire provided the most entertaining races so far this season. It appeared that Arthur Forster (#1) and Gareth Nixon (#3) both took double-wins in the S-Class and Club-Class respectively however Forster was later disqualified from the result of race two due to a technical infringement.
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Jun 28th, 2006
Since the introduction of the Cooper S in 2002 people have been finding new and improved ways to gain horsepower. New exhausts, upgraded air intake systems, modified ECUs and a host of other additions can help satisfy that lust for more power. Yet there’s one magic bullet in the MINI aftermarket that is head and shoulders above the rest in creating power: the super charger reduction pulley.
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Jun 28th, 2006
Finally, something to do with the dust on the back of your MINI:
[ Dust Art ] Statesman.com
Jun 28th, 2006
Automotive News is reporting that DaimlerChrysler’s Smart fortwo will make its US debut in 2008 and will be sold by Roger Penske at select dealerships. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
DaimlerChrysler expects to sell 20,000 Smart fortwo models annually in the United States, with an emphasis on urban markets on the West and East coasts. Smart’s U.S. sales target is about half that of BMW’s Mini brand.
[ Penske will sell Smarts in U.S. ] Automotive News (subscription required)
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Jun 27th, 2006
A few weeks ago we had showed an exclusive picture of two new R56 colors; Nightfire Red and Laser Blue. We now have further details on those two along with a few others that will make up the R56 palette.
For starters, Nightfire Red will be avilable for the MC only. Think of it as taking Solar Red’s place. Laser Blue on the other hand will be an MCS exclusive and will be taking the place of the much loved Electric Blue. Oxygen Blue will be another MC only color and will be a (gasp) non-metallic color. It’s reportedly lighter than Laser Blue.
Other colors (as mentioned previously) will be Mellow Yellow, Sparkling Silver and Lightning Blue. Chili Red and British Racing Green are the only current colors that have been confirmed for the 2007 MINI. We should have a more full rundown in the coming weeks.
Jun 27th, 2006
Just one problem for most of us, the review is in Dutch. But I suppose you soon to be GP owners will take what you can get.
[ JCW GP Video Review ] Telegraaf.nl
Jun 26th, 2006
The O.Z. Racing Superleggera, light, strong and aggressive. They’ve been a favorite wheel of mine for quite awhile. When I bought my MCS last year with the JCW wheels, they were the “other” choice I secretly lusted after. This year O.Z. introduced a new wheel that took the Superleggera to a new level. And at 16.8lbs, the 18″ Ultraleggera had my name written all over it. My rational was that, if I’m going to give up my beloved JCWs, I might as well go as light as I can.
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Jun 25th, 2006
Somehow the account of whiteroofradio became compromised and everything was deleted. It’s going to be a couple of days until everything is 100% back to normal. I will be working on getting the most current shows posted ASAP. Thanks for your patience.
Jun 25th, 2006
A quick public service announcement. As we add more magnetic badges, we’ll also be retiring older ones. To start with we are retiring five as of next week. So if you want to get your orders in for any of the following badges, make sure to do it by next week. This decision is based purely on sales numbers with one except; the 2006 Dragon badge. As we mentioned previously, the Dragon badge was meant to only be produced for a limited time and that time is up.
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Jun 25th, 2006
Now that MINI has held it’s first Journalist test drives for European publications, we should start to see a handful of reviews popping up over the next few weeks. First up (after MINI2’s review) is Peter Burgess from MSN Cars UK. Here’s an excerpt:
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Jun 23rd, 2006
Update: The decision has been made and I’ve gone aftermarket. Better yet thanks to Tirerack’s super fast shipping to Chicago, my new wheels and tires have arrived. Big thanks to everyone who gave advice below. I hope that it is a great resource for others considering the same choice. I’ll let the world know what I got in a day or so once I get them on the MINI.
In the meantime my JCW 18″ wheels are now officially for sale. If you’re interested in a smoking deal on both the tires and rims, send me an email via the contact link above.
As I toy with the idea of selling my 18 inch JCW wheels and going aftermarket, I’ve been thinking a lot about the positives and negatives of the two choices. When I got my car, I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse that included the wheels. I love them now as I did then, but as always, I’m ready for something new and different. I won’t go into details yet as to what I’m considering (now let’s see if those who know can keep quiet) but I will say that it doesn’t stray too much from what I currently enjoy.
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