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Archive for March 2008

The MINI Mecca: MINI Park Lane

MotoringFile Sections: MF Feature Mar 31st, 2008 26 Comments

Beyond the MINI plant in Oxford there aren’t many places for enthusiasts to go and pay homage to the brand. For BMW owners there’s BMW Welt, the BMW Museum, the ‘Ring and a number of manufacturing facilities around the world. For the MINI, there’s really only one public place beyond the plant that deserves mention, Park Lane MINI. The central London dealer is claimed to be the center-piece of all BMW owned MINI dealers and boasts two floors of everything MINI.

Recently I had a few hours to kill in London and decided to finally check off Park Lane from my list of MINI related to-dos.

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JCW MINIs Make US Debut at NYC Show

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, Official News, R55, R56 Mar 29th, 2008 50 Comments

If anyone needs any extra incentive to visit the NYC auto show in its last weekend, here’s the official press release announcing the US pricing and available of the new factory JCW MINI that debuted earlier this week in NYC.

Official MINI USA Press Release: MINI USA announced today the debut of two all new performance models at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Following their successful World Premier in Geneva, the MINI John Cooper Works hardtop and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are showcased at MINI’s display and represent the first new models from the recently integrated John Cooper Works Brand.

In addition, pricing for both new models were announced today. The MINI John Cooper Works hardtop will be offered at $29,200. USD. The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will be offered at $31,450, USD. Both prices include a $650 destination and handling charge, MINI USA’s Free Full Maintenance Coverage for 3 years/ 36,000 Miles and a 4 year-50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

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Minspeed.net

5th Gear Video: Renault Clio Cup vs the MCS

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors, R56, Video Mar 28th, 2008 26 Comments

It’s a tough fight for the MCS due to the lack of sport suspension and the skinnier tires but it still makes a good showing…

The Next MINI Killer?

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors Mar 27th, 2008 38 Comments

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Is Alfa Romeo building the next hot hatch? Taking cues from MINI and Fiat, it would seem they are.

As well as having sporting pretensions Alfa Romeo is also making sure the Mito is highly customisable. Having watch Mini’s success, and learnt lessons from Fiat’s launch of the 500, the Mito will come with a large options list. Even the headlamp and taillight surrounds will be switchable so, Alfa says, you’ll be able to give your car ‘eye-liner’.

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Knauz MINI

Cars.com Compares Premium Hatchbacks

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors, R56 Mar 27th, 2008 3 Comments

Like I said in a previous article, this is a comparison that is going to go on forever. But this time, Cars.com has changed it up a bit by adding the Opel Saturn Astra to the mix with the Volvo C30 and MINI Cooper S.

So you want something small and relatively fuel-efficient, but it also has to be stylish and fun to drive. If that’s you, then a hatchback is a good choice. Here, two new ones - the Saturn Astra and Volvo C30 - square off against the car that jolted the segment when it was reintroduced for 2002: the Mini.

It’s a great comparison with MINI getting the nod on most of the categories and the win (which we all already knew). Still interesting to see the Astra in the mix.

[ Premium Hatchbacks ] Cars.com

AC Schnitzer Mini Cooper S

MotoringFile Sections: MF Feature Mar 26th, 2008 11 Comments

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AC Schnitzer usually turns their efforts toward tuning BMWs. Look like they have decided to take a shot at tuning MINIs too. Besides suspension and body kit, they have tuned it to have 49bhp more than the standard car.

And without so much as a second glance we’re sitting on the speedy side of 140mph. Perhaps it’s not such a bad thing the new Mini’s speedo is enormous… Pressing down into the tarmac, the Schnitzer feels totally stable at this speed.

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MINI of Manhattan

JCW Dealer Installed Kit Not Discontinued

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, R56 Mar 25th, 2008 17 Comments

We’ve had a couple of readers write to us with juicy rumors of the dealer installed JCW Engine kit being discontinued now that the factory car has been announced. So we’ve reached out to our contacts and at MINI for clarification. The answer is that the dealer installed kit will continue to be available for the foreseeable future. And at $2100 we believe it (along with the JCW suspension) continue to be a relative performance bargain.

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Factory Aero Kit Gets an Update in ‘09

MotoringFile Sections: Official News, R56 Mar 24th, 2008 28 Comments

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MF Exclusive: Love it or hate it, the R56 Aero kit has always looked unfinished. We have discussed it here at length and even talked to the head of MINI design about it.

Well, it looks like MINI agrees with us (or more likely decided to invest more money in tooling for the rather unpopular option) and will be updating the Aero kit for the fall of ‘08 to start the ‘09 model year. As you can see in the picture above, the wheel arches will come matched to the body color. It will not effect your roof or mirror color choice.

We’ll have more in the coming weeks and months including better pictures.

M7 Tuning

BMW 520d Beats a Prius in Efficiency

MotoringFile Sections: Efficiency Mar 24th, 2008 22 Comments

GoodCleanTech.com has a very interesting story about a BMW 520D and a Toyota Prius driving from London to Geneva.

It looks like that is exactly what happened on a 545-mile London-Geneva run, when a diesel-powered BMW 5-series posted better MPG stats than a petrol-based Toyota Prius hybrid. The BMW 520d with a 2.0-liter diesel engine and regenerative braking posted an impressive 41.9 mpg - about 0.9 mpg better than a full hybrid Prius. The difference may not seem huge. But given that the Prius weighs about 500 lb less, BMW’s fuel economy lead was significant enough to raise new questions about which drivetrain technologies are more environmentally viable and should become the future mainstream of sustainable transport.

Impressive to say the least. A 5 Series that gets better MPG than a Prius. We can only imagine how well a MINI Cooper D would fare.

[ BMW Beats a Prius in MPGs ] Goodcleantech.com

White Roof Radio #233

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Mar 23rd, 2008 1 Comment

miniSince Gabe is out of town, we thought it would be a treat to have Michael and Robert on this week as a precursor to AMVIV next week.

A quick recap of how Micheal got to be known as the ‘Free Porn King’ of Las Vegas and Robert is subscribing to WRR in Apple stores all over Canada.

Then, of course, news of the week from Motoringfile.com.

As we’ve been saying for the last bit of forever, the four of us will be at AMVIV later this week. If you are going, be sure to come by and say hi! Or keep an eye out here for audio, video, photos and words. We’ll have your covered!

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MF Sunday Recap

MotoringFile Sections: Site News Mar 23rd, 2008 1 Comment

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In case you missed anything from this past week, we had the chance to see video from the Geneva Motor Show, photos from NYIAS, a story or two about weiners and more updates about MTTS 2008. Oh yea, and US Pricing on the JCW MINI. Can’t believe I almost missed that!

Sure we like to provide you, the fine Motoringfile reader the information, but it’s the sponsors and advertisers that really keep us going. If you are looking for parts, accessories or you are finally ready to pull the trigger on the JCW upgrade, good chance one of them will be able to hook you up.

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MINI Inspired Artwork Becomes Poster

MotoringFile Sections: Best of the Web Mar 21st, 2008 14 Comments

The MINI seems to attract create types like almost no other car out there. And true to this tradition the fine folks at Outmotoring have commissioned an piece unlike any other. Artist John Weber has created a incredible MINI logo built out of products we all know and love and in turn Outmotoring has created a poster of it we can all enjoy. Here’s Arron at from Outmotoring to help explain:

Having a deep appreciation of art and design as well as all things driven by creativity I commissioned John to make this 100% sweet work of art for Out Motoring. It was a very fluid process that actually started one day in the Out Motoring install and test facility at the world HQ. We were talking and just happen to get on the topic of the finer points of how artists know when something is ‘done’ and ‘done right’. Realizing that he shared a certain passion for quality design it became evident that we should do a project together. Within minutes we had narrowed in on a concept and John was off and running, literally grabbing hundreds of products off our shelves, squirreling them away in numerous boxes in the boot of his 2007 MINI. He had a few twinkles in his eyes…. In a flash he was gone. I was left with not a doubt that a) I would see the $5,000 dollars in product again someday and b) that John would do something amazing. As an artist who has created work for many well known clients and has assembled a portfolio of unique imagery, I knew he would come up with a unique interpretation of our idea.

The charm is that it is much more than ‘just a bunch of car parts’. The more you look at it the more you will see. A spring resting on a checkered flag valve cap. A spark plug comfortably wrapped in a watch. It’s layers will draw you in the more you study it.

Incredible stuff. A big thanks to Aaron for being the catalyst for this project and to John for actually making it happen. You can check out the artwork and the limited edition poster that’s currently available for sale at Outmotoring below.

+ ‘Sweet” Limited Edition Poster (Signed) / Outmotoring

JCW MINI at the NYIAS

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, R56 Mar 21st, 2008 16 Comments

Michael Pezzullo, the newest contributor to Bimmerfile, got the chance to go to the NY Auto Show. Since he was there, he thought he’d snap a few photos of the JCW MINIs and the MINI Challenge Car for us to look at over here.

Be sure to follow the link above for a great write up of the auto show as well as some equally cool BMW photos!

MINI USA Officially Announces JCW Pricing

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, Official News, R55, R56 Mar 20th, 2008 39 Comments

Nothing new to most MF readers but MINI USA officially rolled out JCW pricing at the NYC auto show. Including destination the JCW coupe will start at $29,200. The Clubman will be priced a little more at $31,450. This is the same preliminary pricing we had reported last month but this time it includes the $650 destination fee.

The New JCW MINIs Make NA Debut

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, R55 Mar 20th, 2008 12 Comments

Scheduling conflicts have kept us away from the NYC Autoshow this year but fear not. Our friends at Jalopnik have the goods in the way of photos so be sure to click over for some hot JCW Clubman action.

+ 2008 JCW MINI Cooper Clubman, Pictures To Go With Long Name / Jalopnik

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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