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Archive for October 2007

Fireball Tim with the STC MINI

MotoringFile Sections: R56, Video Oct 31st, 2007 18 Comments

The Fireballed one is busy cruising through the halls at SEMA ogling the latest and greatest in automotive gear. Of course, he has his video crew and will be covering it all week.

But that will be for another post. Instead, here Fireball Tim presents the Street Tuner Challenge Persuit MINI. Keep an eye on his blog for more updates about the STC Behind the Scenes videos.

Hybrid Technologies Electric MINI at SEMA

MotoringFile Sections: Efficiency Oct 31st, 2007 1 Comment

sema-mini.jpg

Hybrid Technologies, builder of the now famous electric MINI Cooper, are showing off the latest version at this years Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Mini Cooper is already a Hollywood star and has been featured in Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. It is powered with a pure electric drive system using state of the art lithium-ion battery units and a highly advanced BMS (battery management system). The car was originally developed for diplomatic service and has been welcomed by the Hollywood eco set as the latest and greatest in green driving.

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Knauz MINI

Ask MF: Auto Transmission Power Handling

MotoringFile Sections: Ask MotoringFile, R53 Oct 30th, 2007 17 Comments

Motoringfile Reader Clayton writes in with a great question concerning the Aisin automatic transmission.

I have a 2006 MCSA and I am considering adding some serious power to it, but I am worried that the transmission wont be able to handle the power. do you know of any company out there making after market parts to stengthen it?

As far as we know, there aren’t any companies that build any kind of kits to make that transmission stronger. It was never intended to be in any high power, high performance application.

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White Roof Radio #197

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Oct 30th, 2007 30 Comments

mini The BMW Halloween Apple BMW Show.

We spend a good amount of time talking about the upcoming BMW 1 Series and how it will affect the MINI, the MINI Community and Gabe in general. Even though he is holding out for a Z4 M Coupe.

We also talk a bit about lease vs. buy. None of us are fans of a lease, but it really wouldn’t suit us. If you lease, let us know why below.

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MINI of Manhattan

MotoringFile MINI R50/R53 US Buyers Guide

MotoringFile Sections: MF Feature, R50, R53 Oct 29th, 2007 31 Comments

Consider this buying guide a living document and what you see here to be version 1.0. While we’ve worked hard to create the basic information, you the reader will be essential in helping us add content where appropriate. One note; you can only leave comments on this introduction post and not the actual “Buyers Guide” page.

Introduction

The R50 and R53 MINI coupes were watershed products that ushered in a new era of small, sporty premium cars. Beyond that, they also resurrected a brand and changed perceptions of what a small car could do both on the track and in the market place.

They also make great used buys. But there are some important things to remember when shopping for that perfect used MINI. In this buying guide we’ll attempt to get you started down the right path. We’ll look at the cars, their issues and the seemingly constant updates made by MINI throughout the model cycle.

While it’s true the early MINIs had there fair share of issues, they are still very strong cars with little in the way of serious, budget busting potential problems (with one exception we’ll touch on later). They can provide an unequaled out of the box driving experience for a great price and are generally easy and fairly inexpensive to maintain.

That’s not to say that a potential MINI buyer shouldn’t be fully educated in the ins and outs of potential issues. It’s also very beneficial to know what has changed through the years. With this guide we hope to give an overview of what to look for in the way of potential problems and what to look for in terms options and production changes through the years. We won’t be diving into all specific issues but giving a general overview of what to look for and what to avoid.

There’s one rule of thumb when it comes to buying a used R50 or R53 MINI: buy as new as your budget allows. As is the custom for BMW, MINI made quite a few important changes to the first generation MINI coupe throughout it’s lifecycle. The most important happening in the 2005 model year (beginning with July ‘04 builds).

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White Roof Radio #196

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Oct 29th, 2007 4 Comments

miniStarting off talking about the World Series (we don’t care), the fires in SoCal (Gabe instantly thinks lootin’ time!) and wonders if any of the fires were started by Fiero’s. Can you believe there is a club in KC for those guys? Crazy, I know. By the way, that link is our “Fiero Expert”.

Then, Gabe has a delima. We vote MINI ‘natch. What about you? Then, more Fiero talk before talking about the rarest color of MINI, among others.

Plus news of the week from Motoringfile.

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M7 Tuning

Clubman 3rd Door Revisited

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R55 Oct 28th, 2007 24 Comments

A few weeks back we mentioned a story at Automotive News on the Clubman’s third door and how it was not originally planned. At the time the article was not available to the public. Today it is and it’s probably worth a quick read. Here’s an excerpt:

The passenger door that was added to the right side of the Clubman was not part of the original plan, Kranz said, and evolved during discussions about how to improve rear-seat entry and exit. The door is hinged at the rear and can open only if the front passenger door is opened.

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MINI “Colorado” SUV Spied

MotoringFile Sections: R60 (Colorado) Oct 26th, 2007 24 Comments

Leftlanenews.com has the first photos of the MINI SUV test mule. The test vehicle looks to be built using a raised Clubman indicating some form of all-wheel drive present. Expect the finished product (looking quite a bit different from the Clubman with an identity crisis seen here) to show up around the 2011 model year.

The car’s exhaust also indicates that this isn’t a standard issue Clumbman S. A typical Clubman S has dual exhaust, something this mule lacks. Instead, the mule has a single exhaust outlet protruding from the left slide. This details also rules out a standard Clubman as its exhaust exits from the right side. The change is exhaust seems to indicate some kind of undercarriage work, possibly to accommodate for all-wheel drive.

You can check out the full range of photos below:

[ MINI Future SUV Spied ] Left Lane News

MINI Magnetic Badges

EVO Comparison: JCW MCS vs Clio 197

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, JCW Oct 26th, 2007 13 Comments

One of our favorite motoring magazines has a comparison between to of the hostest hatches out there; the new JCW MCS and the Renault Clio 197. While the MCS tested didn’t have the new JCW Suspension (or sport suspension as it sounds) it did have the newly released JCW engine package. Here’s an excerpt:

In the MINI you can go into a corner at something other than the perfect speed and yet come out the other side without feeling it’s a wasted opportunity. It moves around, engages and involved more than the Clio. The fact that it feels significantly faster in a straight line is an added bonus that makes nipping in and out of the everyday traffic just that bit more fun.

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New MINI Wheels Coming for 2008

MotoringFile Sections: Accessories, JCW Oct 25th, 2007 18 Comments

Look for MINI to introduce three new sets of light-weight wheels designed specifically to work with the new (and larger) 2008 JCW Brake Kit we reported on yesterday.

The 17″ wheel will be MINI branded and engineered with low weight in mind. They will also be one of the few OEM 17″ wheels that will fit the new R56 JCW Brake Kit.

The other two wheels will both be 18″s and as you might guess, JCW branded. Like the 17″ MINI branded wheel, they will both be designed to work with the R56 JCW Brake Kit coming later in 2008. As with the 17″ wheels, we’re told the 18″s will be relatively light-weight in design. What that means in terms of lbs remains to be seen.

Worldwide release should happen in the first half of 2008.

Kicking Tires 2007 MCS Review

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R56 Oct 25th, 2007 10 Comments

The Cars.com blog Kicking Tires updates their experience with the R56 Cooper S trying it out as a 4 passenger car for a 2 hour drive.

On the minus side, I took three kids with me on a trip to Milwaukee, and many times, the car itself - not just having to take a road trip with dad - sparked whining and complaining. At first, the two kids in the backseat were comfortable, but over time (the trip took about two hours each way), they began to complain more and more about their lack of legroom. Both are around 5 feet tall, and eventually, I had to move the driver’s seat up a notch to help accommodate them. That made my knees weary before too long, especially once I was off the expressway and onto city streets, where the heavy shifting began.

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Upgraded JCW Brakes Due for 2008

MotoringFile Sections: JCW Oct 24th, 2007 25 Comments

One of the more subtle but appreciated upgrades MINI made to the 2007 MCS R56 was the addition of the JCW brake kit as standard. Sure the calipers aren’t red and don’t feature the JCW logo, but they are indeed the same caliper size, pads and rotors. The addition allows for more stopping power and increased fade resistance at the track.

But what of all the R56 Cooper S owners who want an OEM upgrade? MINI currently only has a slotted and “drilled” rotor that fits into the OEM front brake set-up. All things considered it’s just a bit of window dressing if you ask us. So in an answer to this, MINI will be releasing a redesigned (and much improved) JCW brake kit. The kit will consist of larger calipers, more aggressive front and rear pads, and (wait for it…..) larger front rotors.

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BMW 1 Series tii Concept

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors Oct 24th, 2007 34 Comments

Based on the reaction of yesterday’s BMW 135i story, we thought today’s BMW press release concerning a high performance 1 Series concept of the car might be of interest to some readers…

Official BMW Press Release: Based on the new BMW 1 Series Coupé being presented to the world public for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007, this fascinating design study is the consistent evolution of BMW’s compact two-door with a clear focus on uncompromising sportiness. With its aerodynamically optimised body, a wide range of lightweight features serving to minimise the weight of the car and its axle load distribution, as well as an interior tailored specifically to the ambitious driver, this concept study clearly offers a high level of driving dynamics right from the start.

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MINI Wins Total Value Index for the 6th Time

MotoringFile Sections: Awards, Official News Oct 24th, 2007 1 Comment

Official MINI USA Press Release: For the sixth consecutive year, MINI has earned top honors in Strategic Vision’s 2007 Total Value Index TM (TVI). For 2007, the MINI brand achieved the highest ranking of all brands surveyed with an overall TVI score of 817. The MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Convertible also achieved the highest TVI score in their respective segments - an honor both models have received every year since they were launched.

Not only did the MINI brand achieve the highest TVI score overall, but Strategic Vision also recognized MINI as a class leader in the $24,500 - $30,000 range. In their respective segments the MINI Cooper, with a TVI score of 824, was awarded top honors in the “Small Specialty Car Under $28,000″ six years running, while the MINI Cooper Convertible, with a TVI score of 802, topped its category of “Convertible under $30,000″ three years running. These scores compare to an industry average TVI score of 737.

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BMW and MINI Win Coveted Carolina Award

MotoringFile Sections: Awards, Efficiency Oct 24th, 2007 No Comments

Official MINI USA Press Release: The BMW Group picked up as many as four awards at the CAROLINA Internet Auto Award 2007 by AutoScout24, Europe’s largest automobile portal. With its EfficientDynamics program, BMW won in the special category “Best Innovation”.

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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