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Archive for August 2006

24 Hours of MTTS: St. Louis to Indianapolis in the JCW GP

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, MTTS, Reviews Aug 31st, 2006 24 Comments

Just back from a whirlwind MTTS trip that went above and beyond all my expectations. We got to St. Louis a little too late for the baseball game but just in time for a little after hours MTTS party. Early this morning Todd and I headed out to the Arch. At this point the GP was starting to sink in as a real live car and I must say that it was getting better looking the more I saw it.

After our Arch photo opp was over I was handed the keys to a GP courtesy of MINI USA. I might add that this particular car was broken in by none other than Fireball Tim and Hubie (the men responsible for the fastest MINI in the world). So I got some quality time to the tune of about four hours with the GP. First impressions: better than wow. This car is a complete package like nothing we’ve ever seen before. It’s not the fastest MINI out there, just the most complete MINI I’ve ever drive. MINI and BMW did a great job inside and out with the small details. The look of the car really makes sense in the real world as compared to the 2D world as seen on this site or countless magazines. In other words, don’t make your mind on this car’s looks until you’ve seen it in the flesh.

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2007 Navigation System to Include iDrive-like Controller

MotoringFile Sections: R55, R56 Aug 30th, 2006 40 Comments

As we reported 18 months back, MINI’s new navigation system will indeed feature a simplified iDrive-like controller behind the shifter. The controller will mange an interface that is similar to the BMW iDrive system but redesigned to look a bit more MINI like. The main screen (as seen in the image above) will feature “entertainment”, “communication”, “navigation”, and a link for set-up. This is very different than the version found in the latest 3 series which also includes a link for controlling the climate control. It’s assumed that BMW decided to keep the climate system in the new MINI controlled exclusively via the standard interface found on the center stack.

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Prestige MINI

MTTS Coverage: Gabe checks in

MotoringFile Sections: MTTS, Podcast Aug 30th, 2006 2 Comments

FINALLY Gabe gets to play along with the MTTS coverage! Actually behind the wheel of a GP he tells us what he thinks. Plus, an update from Fireball Tim on last nights happenings and a special birthday wish for his wife Cathy!

I’m seeing lots of voicemails coming in gang! Keep ‘em coming. I’ll be doing another voicemail show later this week. You know the number, right? (206) 33_WHITE

Download || Subscribe | 14:00 | 9.62MB

An Electric MINI with 640hp (Updated)

MotoringFile Sections: Efficiency, In the Press Aug 30th, 2006 13 Comments

Several weeks back we brought you a link about a company that was creating a fully electric MINI. The concept includes four electric motors (one per wheel) with a combined horsepower of 640. This information has circulated quietly on the web for over a month now with little notice outside the MINI community. Until today when a Treehugger.com story was posted on Digg. So with all this recent publicity we thought we’d re-post a link to the information for those that missed it the first time around.

[ The Hybrid MINI ] Treehugger.com

Minspeed.net

New Adventure for MINI UK’s Charity Activities

MotoringFile Sections: Official News Aug 30th, 2006 No Comments

MINI UK has been working with the charity Whizz-Kidz since 2002 and has helped raise funds and awareness during this time. With the launch of the new MINI on the horizon, the time is right to see how MINI can help another organisation. From January 2007, MINI will be offering its support to a new charity partner. Whizz-Kidz is dedicated to transforming the quality of life of disabled children and young people across the UK through the provision of customised mobility equipment, training and advice.

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MTTS Coverage: Fireball Tim and Hubie

MotoringFile Sections: MTTS, Podcast Aug 29th, 2006 2 Comments

This morning I caught Fireball Tim and Hubie Fuh on their way to St. Louis via Metropolis. Hubie told me about his plans for breaking more records in New Jersey and Tim can’t wait to meet Superman!

Don’t forget, if you have anything to add to our MTTS coverage, feel free to leave us a voicemail message at (206) 33-WHITE!

And watch for Gabe and Todd in St. Louis later today as well! Tell ‘em db says hi!

Download | Subscribe | 11:26 | 7.89MB

Knauz MINI

Alfa to take on the MINI?

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press Aug 29th, 2006 28 Comments

Looks like another automaker will be trying to emulate the MINI sales success. Automotive News is reporting that Alfa Romeo is planning on building a MINI fighter for 2008. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

Due by 2008, the Junior will become Alfa’s new entry model, fitting below the lower-premium 147, which will be replaced in late 2008 by the larger 149.

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New Clubman Test Mule Photo

MotoringFile Sections: R55 Aug 28th, 2006 36 Comments

Edmunds Inside Line has a new photo of the MINI clubman test mule with one of the rear “barn doors” open.  Keeping in mind that this is a test mule, some noteable features still stand out from the photo:

  • The doors feature a simple hinge, not the complicated parallelogram hinge shown in the concept.
  • The clean lines of the concept’s rear doors show some signs of changing to incorporate the rear license plate and the lights to illuminate it.
  • The tail lamps move with the door in the photo.  This isn’t expected to carry over to production.  Rather, much like the Concept the tail lamps may remain attached to the body, and the rear doors would have holes in them that the tail lights would sit behind.

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MINI of Manhattan

MTTS: St. Louis & Indianapolis

MotoringFile Sections: MTTS Aug 28th, 2006 4 Comments

After some creative scheduling changes I’m happy to report that I’ll be joining Todd (along with some friends from Chicago) at the St. Louis and Indianapolis MTTS stops. I’ll be arriving Tuesday evening in St. Louis and then doing the leg to Indy. I’ll also get a chance to get behind the wheel of a GP for some initial thoughts before my long term test this fall. Both Todd and I will have photos on the MTTS & MotoringFile Flickr site throughout the short trip.

MINI USA Saves the Day at MTTS

MotoringFile Sections: MTTS Aug 28th, 2006 16 Comments

This was reported on yesterday’s Whiterooradio MTTS update but I thought it was worth a second mention:

Picture it: a young MINI owner is enjoying MTTS while driving in downtown Dallas. In an effort to get to the MTTS party the he makes a completely safe (however slightly illegal) u-turn in the middle of the street. As fate would have it (cue dramatic music) one of the Dallas po-po happen to see the nifty move and decide to throw the book at our young friend by giving him a $200 ticket. (mental note: u-turns in Dallas aren’t a great idea.)

But here’s where MINI saves the day. Head of MINI USA Jim Mcdowell heard of the unfortunate incident and decided to right the wrong of Dallas’ finest by giving the ticketed MINI owner a $200 MINI MotoringGear gift certificate.

MTTS Coverage: The photos

MotoringFile Sections: MTTS Aug 28th, 2006 9 Comments

1 week down, about 8 more days to go. If you are still running, don’t worry, you are almost there!

I actually wanted to take this time to recap the week in pictures. There are lots of excellent pictures getting posted around the MINI Community and I wanted to get a few samples posted here!

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White Roof Radio #89

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Aug 27th, 2006 1 Comment

miniWhat? Was that Stracco again? Giving us a weather report? We get the chance to speak with him during the Woofcast and the accessory development manager for MINI. Plus, news of the week.

Feedback? You know what to do. Leave a comment below OR email us feedback@whiteroofradio.com OR play along with the voicemail line at (206) 33-WHITE.

Show Notes | WRR @ iTunes | Subscribe

MTTS Coverage: Fireball Tim does Dallas!

MotoringFile Sections: MTTS, Podcast Aug 27th, 2006 2 Comments

Fireball Tim, driving from Dallas to Memphis on the longest segment of MTTS, gives us an update about last nights festivities in Dallas at the Gypsy Tea Room.

Sounds like a great time! A couple of HUGE surprises, but you are going to have to listen!

Don’t forget, if you want to share your experience during MTTS, call up the voicemail line at (206) 33-WHITE and we’ll be playing those back in the upcoming week.

Download | 9:41 | 6.65MB | Subscribe

MTTS Coverage: Todd wrap-up

MotoringFile Sections: MTTS, Podcast Aug 26th, 2006 2 Comments

Today, Todd is on his way home after participating on the first 5 stops of MTTS. He gives us his thoughts on the event and, of course, his new GP.

But don’t think our coverage is going to stop here! Fireball Tim will be on-the-MTTS-road correspondant from here on. And, if you like, you can too. If you are participating in MTTS, even only 1 leg, feel free to call in to the voicemail line at (206) 33-WHITE with your experience and we’ll post that later next week!

Download | Subscribe | 15:23 | 10.5MB

MINI Looks to Improve Service

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press Aug 26th, 2006 39 Comments

Service. Ask any MINI owner and you’re likely to hear both good and bad tales. For a brand new car and brand new company it’s certainly an understandable issue. However for BMW and MINI, anything less than good was unacceptable. This week’s Autoweek covers MINI’s effort to make the bad service good and the good service great. Here’s an excerpt:

“When we first launched, we knew we had had a good brand and purchase experience. But Mini owners felt they were second-class citizens in the service area,” says Richard Steinberg, manager of aftersales and product strategy for Mini, in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. “We were getting dinged by quality at the service level.”

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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
Otto's 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

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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