Sections: Site News Nov 30th, 2006 20 Comments Along with the Season’s 1st Winter Storm.
I’ll be getting our official GP test car tomorrow, along with potentially 6 to 10 inches of snow. So if someone sees a GP in a ditch somewhere on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago around 6pm, please lend a hand. And no you can’t have the wing!
Sections: MotoringBadges, R52 Nov 30th, 2006 23 Comments What a year. In the past nine months MotorinBadges.com has sold over 3000 badges. We now offer more than 100 different badges and over 200 total products. And today we’re happy to announce our latest additions. These will most likely be the last new badges of 2006 and we think they round out the collection well.
But first let’s take a quick look at the new collection of badges:
Sections: Awards, Official News Nov 30th, 2006 1 Comment Los Angeles, CA — November 29th, 2006… MINI took home three honors in Kelley Blue Book’s “2007 Best Resale Value Awardsâ€Â. MINI was awarded two top spots with “Best Resale Value†in the Hatchback category and “Best Resale Value†in the Convertible category. In addition, the MINI Cooper has achieved a spot in the list of models ranked with the Top 10 Best Resale Value.
“As a testament to the MINI Cooper’s unwavering appeal, both the hatchback and convertible versions top their respective categories in this year’s resale value awards,†said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “With an additional placement in the overall top 10, the expressive and fun MINI remains a resale champion.â€Â
Sections: Awards, In the Press Nov 29th, 2006 13 Comments Consumer Reports has again rated the MINI in the top 10 best cars at holding its initial value. Here’s an excerpt from CR:
Which cars hold their value the best? According to Consumer Reports’ depreciation ratings, several affordably priced models—such as the Toyota Prius hybrid, Mini Cooper, and youth-oriented Scion models—hold their value better than higher-priced sports and luxury models. And while all of the top 10 models have either Japanese or European nameplates, nine of the bottom 10 are domestic models. Contributing to their high depreciation is the fact that many are older models, commonly used by fleets and rental companies, and often heavily discounted.
Sections: R50, R53, R56, R57, Sales Nov 28th, 2006 34 Comments 
Today marks the end of product for the first generation MINI coupes as the R56 MINI officially went into full scale production this morning. This means that, for every four R56’s that are assembled, a solitary R52 (Cabriolet) is now being built. Quite different from just 24 hours ago when those numbers were reversed.
With orders ended and production now ceased, we can officially say the first generation coupe era has ended. The cars will be on dealer lots for a few months yet (especially in the US where they will be the only coupes available until late January or early February) but actually trying to find what you want will start to get pretty difficult.
Sections: R50, R52, R53, Reviews Nov 28th, 2006 46 Comments 
DPSM: The JCW kit for your MINI’s sound system
It’s possibly the best kept secret among all MINI options for the now retired MINI Cooper and Cooper S models. The impact of this relatively simple add-on will make your driving experience no less than breathtaking. And it has absolutely nothing to do with your car’s power train.
Developed in co-operation with the HiFi specialist AUDIO MOBIL, the Digital Power SoundModul (DPSM) provides yet another reason to never leave the seat of your car.
Sections: Podcast Nov 28th, 2006 No Comments 
Since we didn’t work on Thanksgiving, Todd put together about 12 minutes of out-takes, flubs and other things that don’t normally make it into the show. Yes, including it taking me 4 tries to do the intro!
Check back next week and we’ll back in full force!
If anyone is planning on going to the LA Auto Show this coming Saturday, I’ll be hanging out with Fireball Tim most of the day. Stop over and say hi, I might even have WRR swag!
Sections: R56 Nov 27th, 2006 44 Comments 
The new MINI USA configurator has verified some news we heard a few weeks back. As was the case with the previous generation MINI, the US market will be getting a different (i.e. less cool) version of the lower cushion on R56’s sport seats. Due to the US airbag sensor mandated in the front passenger seat, MINI’s had to design a simple, less contoured bottom cushion. With the previous seat design, this wasn’t a terrible loss. However with the new bottom cushion design (not to mention the English Leather seats), the change is clearly a downgrade from what is available elsewhere.
It’s worth noting that the change mostly just affects the aesthetics of the seats, not really how they grip. And yes, the US market will still be getting the $1900 “English Leather” seat option.
Sections: MF Feature Nov 27th, 2006 2 Comments The gloves finally come off in the MINI Challenge.
The gloves were literally flying off in race two of the MINI Challenge at Ruapuna this weekend as the drivers took to the circuit like a pack of Canterbury Rugby football forwards.
Starting positions for race two were determined by the fastest times in qualifying session or race one which saw Canterbury’s Wayne Timms in the IDL MINI #30 on pole position alongside Timaru driver Brent Collins in the PDL MINI #44.
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Sections: DIY, R56 Nov 24th, 2006 7 Comments 
It’s DIY Friday here at MotoringFile and we’re going to continue on with the R56 theme. Today it’s the new Rear Carrier. The MINI Rear Carrier system allows owners to carry up to two bikes and can be folded down for easy access in the boot. It’s compatible with both the 2007 Cooper and Cooper S.
Rear Carrier System Install Guide (2mb)
You can also read more about the new carrier system by downloading the following MINI brochure about the accessory:
R56 Rear Carrier System Brochure (1.6mb)
Sections: In the Press Nov 24th, 2006 9 Comments Please join Fireballed! Racing and South Bay MINI for the premiere of the next two Hollywood-Themed Fireballed! MINIs at this year’s LA Auto Show!!
Sections: In the Press, R56 Nov 23rd, 2006 13 Comments Evo, one of our favorite print mags at MotoringFile, compares the 2007 MCS to the new Renault Clio 197. Great article and a fascinating comparison. Here’s an excerpt:
The goalposts may have shifted, but the F1-style diffuser (on the Renault Clio 197) has to count for something. Which makes it something of a surprise when, on our first twisty mountain ascent, the Cooper S (25bhp down, remember) steadily pulls away from the throughly wrung-out Clio 197. Going down the other side, the pair are evenly matches but, when the tarmac becomes steeper and more tortuous again, the MINI wrests back a decisive advantage.
Sections: In the Press, R56 Nov 23rd, 2006 1 Comment Auto Express pits the R56 MCS against the best that Renault, Ford and VW have to offer on some of the UKs twistiest roads.
Competition in the hot hatch market has reached boiling point — and there’s no better way to find out if the MINI can take the lead in the pocket rocket race than to square it up against Renault’s thrilling Clio 197. Taut, muscular and with carefully honed suspension, it’s more mature than before, but hasn’t lost its sense of fun.
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Sections: DIY, R56 Nov 22nd, 2006 9 Comments Our first official R56 DIY PDF is the highly anticipated JCW Aero Kit. The kit will be available this spring as a dealer installed option. However for those who like to get their hands dirty or simply want to know more about what exactly is included in the kit, we offer you this official MINI PDF detailing the parts and the full installation. Enjoy:
R56 JCW Aero Kit Official PDF (2.0mb)
Sections: Site News Nov 22nd, 2006 57 Comments Welcome to the new MotoringFile.com. This new version of the site comes a little over one year since our big move to the Wordpress platform and is well over a year in the planning. In fact MF 3.0 represents the biggest visual changes to the site since the summer of 2004.
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