About MotoringFile

MotoringFile is a MINI weblog dedicated to bringing you news, views, and every other little bit of interesting information from the new MINI world. In short, this is a site that aggregates the best news of the day and commentary for anyone to comment on.

About the Staff

mini

Gabe [ Founder ]

I created MotoringFile for a number of reasons, none of which was to become the world’s leading news source on the MINI. Initially I just wanted to dabble a bit in the world of weblogs and create something that could be a creative outlet. I knew that there was a potential there but that wasn’t ever an overriding factor.

I suppose what I had hoped to do in founding MotoringFile, was to create a place for photos, videos, news, opinions, rants and raves for this little car that I couldn’t stop thinking about.

While it may look like a lot of work, MF plays a small part in all that keeps me occupied. You can get a peak at everything else on my personal weblog: Bridger.us

About Nathaniel [ Senior Editor ]

mini

I saw my first Mini when I was 13. It was a blue Cooper S with a union jack on the roof. I was instantly hooked. I wanted one. It would be 12 years before my dream of MINI ownership would come true, but even before there was a MINI in my garage, MotoringFile was on my browser. I enjoyed the news, the opinion pieces and the discussion that revolved exclusively around my favorite little car. The site didn’t have the trappings of your average troll-ridden, fanboy message board. Instead, it was a place where fans got together to see what was going on with MINI.

In 2008, I started blogging on a regular basis, and my MINI was often a consistent part of that writing. So when Gabe rang me up in 2010 and asked if I’d be interested in taking over the Editor role at MotoringFile, I jumped at the chance. Being at what I see as the beating heart of the MINI enthusiast scene is a lot of fun. We get to see all the cool stuff before it comes out, then share it with the MINI community.

My day job is in product development, where I design user experiences/interfaces and build prototypes for future consumer goods. I’m pretty sure only the guys at Mythbusters and Top Gear have more fun at work than I do. My background, like Gabe, is in advertising and design — helping to build brands for companies of all sizes.

Beyond MotoringFile, I spend a lot of my spare time riding and working on scooters and motorcycles. I often write about those experiences on my personal blog. I’m also working on an unconventional eco-car called the Streetliner. It’s a cabin motorcycle project designed to combine the fun of motorcycling, the comfort of a small car, the economy of a hybrid and the spirit of a race car. It’s not for market. It’s just for my own entertainment, but you can learn more about it here.

About Don [ Technologist/Podcaster ]

mini

I’ve always been a bit of a car nut and enjoyed driving cars that were a little bit different. I started with a 1965 Chevrolet El Camino. Spent every last dollar I had on paint, interior and fixing stuff. It’s remarkable about many water pumps those old cars went through!

The real bug was planted on my 2nd car. A bright red 1967 Austin Healey Sprite with removable top. I was living in San Diego at the time and this car was it! Top off, cruising the coast was my first real motoring adventures. When it ran, that car was more fun to drive than anything else I had driven. But being born of British descent and having electronics by the Prince of Darkness, it was soon ditched in favor of something slightly more reliable.

Then in 2002, I discovered the MINI and haven’t looked back! You can read about my motoring adventures on my personal motoring blog, dbmini.us.

During the day (and most nights) I’m a IT guy. Before that, I was about a month away from being a professional chef after working 13 years in the restaurant industry. While there, I became a certified trainer and have developed a passion for thorough training and document creation since. It has come in handy in my current career path where my speciality is Point-of-Sale systems. I also like to dabble in web development and my work can be seen in several corners of the web.

I’m also the founder of WhiteRoofRadio.com, the MINI Cooper Podcast where I get together with Gabe and Todd Pearson twice a week and discuss MINI news, tips and tricks. I’ve always had a love for radio and never realized how much work it is until I started the podcast. Luckily, Todd does the production so I have plenty of time for promotion, talking with sponsors and helping our listeners with the odd problem as well as taking care of the website.

While you are here reading Motoringfile and have a question or a problem, I’m almost always available to answer the quick question or pull your comment out of moderation! Or, if you find a story you think the MF readers might enjoy, please shoot that over as well

About Matt Gifford [ Coding/Production/Editor ]

For information about Matt check out the About page on his personal weblog.

Contributing Editors: MotoringFile wouldn’t be complete without these frequent contributors (in no particular order): Todd / Lawrence / Mike / Dave / Ken / Matt Adams / Jerry / Rob

How Was MotoringFile Created?

I started MotoringFile (originally named Bridger.us/MINI) in October of 2002 as a front end for all the photos, video, and general info I had acquired regarding the new MINI. After a couple months, and a surprising amount of page hits, I decided to make something a bit more elaborate. I thought a weblog would be the perfect way to present all the current content as well as post information daily that creates interesting conversation. So I partnered with a long time friend and occasional professional partner Matthew Gifford to create what you see today. That original software lasted three years until we had to update the site. MotoringFile now runs on WordPress.

This site is designed and maintained on a Apple MacBook Pro, Apple MacBook and Apple iPhone. We use a combination of a Sony DSC-R1, Sanyo HD2, Panasonic DMC-TZ3, Apple iPhone and Sony Ericsson w810 for photos and video

Advertising on MotoringFile

Do you want your company to be a part of the MotoringFile family? We offer several different advertising packages that help your company’s message reach some of the most knowledgable and enthusiastic MINI owners in the world. You can find further information on our advertising information page.

Sort by MINI model


OutMotoring

MINI Model Cheat Sheet

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Hatch
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Hatch
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: Hatch
R57: Convertible
R58: Coupe
R59: Roadster
R60: MINI Crossover
R61: MINI Crossover Coupe
3rd Gen MINI
F55: Clubman
F56: Hatch
F57: Convertible
F60: MINI Crossover
F62: Traveller

Advertise with MotoringFile

If you or your company are interested in advertising on the most influential MINI website in the world, please visit our Advertising section. If you have further questions about becoming a sponsor or would like to see our rate sheet please feel free to contact us directly.
mini mini
Translate MotoringFile with Google: 
 
Morristown MINI Auctions
BF

MF NewsRoom

MotoringFile Buyers Guides

R50 ('02-'06 MC) Buyers Guide
R53 ('02-'06 MCS) Buyers Guide



MotoringFile Reviews

Auto Reviews:
'12 JCW Coupe
'11 Fiat 500 Sport
'11 Tesla Roaster 2.5 '11 Countryman Comparo
'11 Cooper S Hatch
'11 Countryman MCS (FWD)
'11 Countryman MC (auto)
'10 Mayfair MCS (auto)
'11 Countryman MCS (ALL4)
'10 MINI E
'10 Tesla Roadster Sport
'09 Cooper S Convertible
'09 JCW Coupe
'09 JCW Clubman
JCW Stage I vs JCW Stage II
'08 Clubman S (Auto)
1st Drive: '08 MINI Clubman
'08 Smart Fourtwo
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

cafepress



Performance Accessories:
M7 Rear Chassis Brace
R56 JCW Engine Kit
R56 JCW Suspension (Long-Term)
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:
MINI Do More Clubman Hitch
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