Archive for December 2007
Dec 31st, 2007
For better or worse 2007 was the year of the R56. With MINI launching the second generation of the new MINI, we obviously focused on the car and all the hype surrounding it for much of the larger stories and reviews of the year. But thankfully R56 related stories don’t make up the entire top ten. 2007 also saw the debut of the Clubman and the largest MINI event to date - MINI United. So without further delay, the envelope please… continued →
Dec 30th, 2007
It was a pretty slow week around these parts with the holidays. We did get that great greating card from the MINI Design Team and there were a few DIYs posted if you are looking to install a JCW Aerokit, a badge holder on your R56 or your R50/R53.
You could also vote for the R56 in the Cnet Car Tech Awards or be stunned and amazed with Jezza’s Clubman review.
continued →
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Dec 28th, 2007
This time from Topgear.com. It’s hard to tell if they really hate the Clubman, or maybe don’t mind it so much.
No, I’m talking about inventions. The Mini Clubman shows why it’s a poor idea to uninvent the hatchback. Instead of a top-hinged tailgate, you get two doors that open like they used to on the original Mini Traveller. Or, if you’re less than about 40 years old, like they do on a white van.
Because the law says you have to be able to see the rear lights from behind even when a car’s boot is open, the Clubman has its lights fixed to the car, poking through an aperture in each door. Which seems a cute idea in theory. In practice it isn’t.
They go on to point out something that nobody else has, really. Rear visability. And by nobody I mean every reviewer on earth.
Drive it and a vertical black bar, thick enough to swallow a motorbike, barges through the middle of the rear-view mirror. And when there are two people in the back, as the Clubman’s extended wheelbase allows, you can’t even peer around the side of it.
continued →
Dec 28th, 2007
After posting the R56 instructions yesterday, it occurred to us that we had never officially offered the first generation MINI’s grille badge instructions on the site. So if you have an R50, R52 or R53 and a few favorite magnetic MotoringBadge’s in mind, here’s your official DIY PDF straight from MINI.
[ R50/R52/R53 Grille Badge Holder ] Official MINI PDF
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Dec 27th, 2007
So you just bought an R56 and want to get a few of MotoringBadge’s magnetic badges for the grille. Up until today you’d have to buy aftermarket holder or modify the previous version that fit the first generation MINI. Finally after what seemed like an enternal wait for some owners, MINI has released an badge holder for the R56 and (as you guessed it) we have the official PDF instructions.
[ R56 Grille Badge Holder ] Official MINI PDF
Dec 26th, 2007
CNet’s car division is looking for the 2007 Tech Car of the year. Among the list of 10 cars they picked that they think have great technology is, of course, the 2007 MINI Cooper S.
We looked back at the cars we’ve seen this year and came up with 10 nominees for Tech Car of the Year. These cars all showed good cabin technology packages, with some interesting powertrain and platform tech.
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Dec 25th, 2007
We here at MF will be busy thinking about things that aren’t MINI related today so news will be rather scarce. But if you feel the need to read some MINI related articles, check out the last five years of MotoringFile by clicking the archive link above (or better yet) read it all via our MINI related categories in the top left.
…and Merry Christmas!
Dec 24th, 2007
One of our favorite upgrades to the R56 is the JCW Aerokit. And not only does it give the car a more aggressive look, but it’s actually somewhat functional in helping keep the car planted at very high speeds.
But it can also be a bit costly. So to give MotoringFile readers a helping DIY hand, we present you the official install guide PDF. While you’ll still need to order it and have it painted at a MINI dealer, the install is possible in the confines of your own garage.
[ JCW Aerokit ] Official MINI PDF (for Euro and US models)
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Dec 23rd, 2007
Usually when we get cards around this time of the year from friends in the MINI world, we’re not asked to share them with our readers. However the card (seen above) we received recently was created for MotoringFile and its readers by none other than MINI Design in Munich.
One of my favorite MINI related memories of the year was getting know some of the talented people at MINI design at MINI United this summer. However it wasn’t just meeting them that was the highlight. It was finding that they are open and self-effacing people who are genuinely enthusiastic about the MINI and about automobiles in general. Or in other words, they’re enthusiasts like all of us.
So on behalf of our readers out there, I’d like to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the talented people at MINI Design and everyone who works so hard to create the cars we love to talk about.
(Click the image for a larger 1200 x 1600 version)
Dec 23rd, 2007
Perhaps the most outspoken mouth-piece of the British automotive press has had his week in a Clubman and the results aren’t pretty:
Unfortunately, after a week, I have decided it’s one of the worst cars in the world. About as desirable as a packet of dung or a can of worms. Truthfully? I’d rather have a goat.
While it’s true that this is a man who writes more of an op-ed piece than real review, he does have some legitimate gripes: continued →
Dec 23rd, 2007
Fair warning, this episode might not be work safe.
This show was taped live via uStream.tv and if you missed it, well, next time you might not want too. Almost 1 full hour of black roof radio after the show was done with a chat room full of MINIacs! It was great fun! If you think we should do this more often, vote in the poll!
A little reminiscing about the year that was WRR. AMVIV, The Dragon for Gabe and MINI United. What a great year we had, all of it thanks to you! In case you missed any of it.
continued →
Dec 22nd, 2007
MotoringFile reader Robert K. writes:
Test drove a R56 Auto with the JCW tuning kit. The car is the Sales Managers demo & I was quite impressed. This is the third Auto they have installed the kit on with no issues at all. The Service Manager says that Mini Canada does not specify the JCW kit is for manuals only. Your thoughts?
It is our understanding that the air intake and the exhaust from the dealer installed JCW (manual) kit can bolt right up to an Auto MCS. However it’s also our understanding that the ECU tuning currently available for the manual (according to the folks at MINI we’ve spoken with about this) does not work on the automatic Cooper S. Therefore the majority of power gains that the car gets is not available to those who have installed the manual kit on an auto MCS. So the short answer is, make sure you’re getting the MINI approved auto kit (which will be released soon) when ordering the JCW upgrade for your automatic Cooper S continued →
Dec 21st, 2007
You’ve heard the rumors, seen the photos, and read the reviews and even our recent comparison test. Now (as is tradition on MotoringFile) it’s time to pour over the official PDF installation instructions.
[ Dealer Installed JCW Engine Kit ] Official MINI PDF (for Euro and US models)
Dec 21st, 2007
Due to technical issues and the overall cost, MINI USA has decided to not roll-out the much heralded Motorby electronic billboards we reported on last January.
MINI USA had sent out a survey recently to hear participants thoughts but the writing had been on the wall for months now that the program would not be continued. All Billboards should be turned off and taken down around January 1st.
In an email that went out to participants today, MINI USA ends on this note:
Unfortunately, due to these outside influences, MINI USA has decided not to roll out the Motorby program to all MINI Owners. So this makes you extra special. In the meantime, hang on to your key fobs, they make good key chains.
Related:
[ MINI USA’s Motorboards ] MotoringFile
Dec 21st, 2007
At least that is what the Daily Record is saying.
In many UK dealerships Mini Clubman allocations were quickly snapped up, leaving the car sold out into 2008. The bumper sales also meant Mini enjoyed their largest ever share of the UK market last month, at 2.59 per cent.
Not only that, but the Clubman contributed to the record number of MINI registrations i the UK. For the month of November there were 4104 new MINIs registered alone. continued →
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