Apr 30th, 2007
Believe it or not, this is a really great review.
The suspension on the Cooper S is no longer race-car stiff. Seat-of-the-pants evaluation says the combination of a more comfortable ride and a 2.3-inch increase in the vehicle’s length mean its handling isn’t quite as sharp when pushed to the limits. But honestly, unless you’re strapped into a five-point harness and wearing a helmet, you’ll not miss the little bit of handling edge that was left on the table to make the new Cooper S less brutal for everyday use.
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Apr 30th, 2007
As heard on Whiteroofradio recently, MINI USA is in the early planning stages of a large event similar to 2006’s MINI Takes the States. We had heard noise last year (as early as during MTTS) that the power that be at MINI USA were pro the idea. However we had not heard a definitive statement that “something” was going to happen until now.
Now the only questions left are what, when and where.
Apr 29th, 2007
We do go a little long tonight, but we had a lot to talk about it.
We start with odd noises we are hearing. db has crickets, Todd has a sump pump keeping his basement water free! Surprisingly enough, Gabe didn’t have any cock fighting sounds going on.
Who is listening to the MTTS coverage? We don’t mind, just curious is all. Speaking of which, Todd got some interview time with Trudy Hardy and Gina Koutros from MINIUSA about MINIUSAs plans for MINI United plus a special surprise that you are just going to have to listen for.
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Apr 29th, 2007
As with any website that allows for reader feedback, MotoringFile fights a daily battle against spam. And as the popularity of the site has grown, the spam issues has grown exponentially. What started as one or two spam comments a day has grown well into the 100’s.
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Apr 28th, 2007
Just a quick reminder for all those heading to MINI’s on the Dragon next week: We’d like to cordially invite all MotoringFile readers to swing by the cabin for a casual (aka BYOB) gathering after the Brew Swap wraps up Friday night. If you’ve ever wanted meet the people who make MF happen, here’s your chance. You can tell us how much you love the site or tell us off – either way it’s BYOB.
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Apr 27th, 2007
MotoringFile Exclusive: The presentation of the 2008 Clubman, hosted by Plant Oxford Director Oliver Zipse, took place today and we have first-hand account from one of our always reliable sources.
Approx 3000 associates were crammed into a small room in a place known as ‘T -Building’ on site, at just before 1pm. When we were assembled Mr. Zipse began! All the usual “Good afternoon, for those of you who don’t know me, I am the new plant director….” etc took place first – nothing at all exciting.
The 1,000,000th Mini took the stage to Oliver’s left, whilst a large printed sheet (with an image of a bank vault door) hung down from the industrial looking stainless steel tubular fame to Mr Zipse’s right. After a short, speech about expected production volumes for the current year and how the Clubman would play a vital role in those projected figures, the vault was opened! The sheet dropped to reveal a Lightning Blue/Silver Roof/Silver C-pillar upper and lower AND the top section of the rear bumper, Mini Clubman! – With the new 17″ alloy wheels (as pictured in the official Clubman sketch seen on MotoringFile a while back).
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Apr 27th, 2007
We’re not entirely sure how this made it out into the wild (and where it came from) but it would appear that a MINI dealer has let slip an early rendering of a 2009 Cooper Convertible. The image appeared on a dealer website just this morning. MF reader and WRR listener Robert Rettagliata managed grabbed the full image you see here.
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