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Archive for December 2007

MotoringFile Top 10 Stories of 2007

MotoringFile Sections: MF Feature Dec 31st, 2007 14 Comments

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…

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MotoringFile Sunday Recap

MotoringFile Sections: Site News Dec 30th, 2007 No Comments

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.

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MINI of Manhattan

MINI Clubman: Taking the Long View

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R55 Dec 28th, 2007 35 Comments

clubman

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.

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Official R50/R53 Magnetic Badge Holder PDF

MotoringFile Sections: DIY, R50, R52, R53 Dec 28th, 2007 No Comments

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

M7 Tuning

Official R56 Magnetic Badge Holder PDF

MotoringFile Sections: DIY, R56 Dec 27th, 2007 3 Comments

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

CNet 2007 Car Tech Awards

MotoringFile Sections: Awards, In the Press, R56 Dec 26th, 2007 19 Comments

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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MINI Magnetic Badges

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

MotoringFile Sections: Site News Dec 25th, 2007 6 Comments

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!

Official JCW Aerokit Install PDF

MotoringFile Sections: DIY, JCW, R56 Dec 24th, 2007 8 Comments

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)

Out Motoring

Holiday Greetings from MINI’s Design Team

MotoringFile Sections: MF Mailbox Dec 23rd, 2007 24 Comments

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)

Jeremy Clarkson Critiques the Clubman

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R55 Dec 23rd, 2007 36 Comments

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:

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White Roof Radio #210

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Dec 23rd, 2007 No Comments

mini 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.

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Ask MotoringFile: Can the Current JCW Engine Kit Work on an Auto MCS?

MotoringFile Sections: Ask MotoringFile, JCW, R56 Dec 22nd, 2007 16 Comments

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

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Official JCW (Dealer Installed) Engine Kit PDF

MotoringFile Sections: DIY, JCW Dec 21st, 2007 12 Comments

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)

MINI USA’s Motorby Program Cancelled

MotoringFile Sections: Marketing Dec 21st, 2007 10 Comments

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

Clubman Selling out in the UK

MotoringFile Sections: R55, R56, Sales Dec 21st, 2007 4 Comments

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.

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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
Helix Minisports
Otto's MINI

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MF Club Mappr 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