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

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 Don [ Editor ]

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
Gabe [ Founder ]
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
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MF Community
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Recent Articles
- Australia Officially Getting the JCW WC50
- Worldwide MINI Sales Up 20% for January
- MINI Clubman Cooper S Diesel Spotted Testing
- Reminder: Design Your Own MINI Rail Accessory & Win an Autographed MINI Design Book
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Recent Comments
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Recent Featured Articles
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» MINI Releases JCW WC50 Special Edition
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Previous Select MF Features
» World Debut: MINI Coupé Concept
» World Premier: MINI Roadster Concept
» Exclusive: MINI Product Roadmap Revealed
» Exclusive: MINI's 2011 Product Strategy.
» World Premier: MINI Beachcomber Concept
» Exclusive: MINI Likely to Move Some Production to Germany
» MINI Releases JCW WC50 Special Edition
» Exclusive: Rolls Royce to Create Special Edition MINI
» MINI Mid Life Cycle Refresh Coming in '10
» MINIproduct Roadmap Revealed
» MINI 50th Anniversary Models Revealed
» JCW Diesel a Reality
» MINI's Mid Life-Cycle Refresh
» MotoringFile Does the 24 Hours of Lemons
» MINI's City Car to go RWD
» MINI to Launch Progressive Activity Vehicle
» JCW Re-Imagined: Our Take on the Factory JCW
» JCW GP to Return?
» MF Exclusive: the Secret Design Process of the Clubman
2008
» MINI JCW in Depth / MINI USA JCW Pricing
» MCS Engine's Cold Start Issue (Update)
» Official History of the Modern JCW Tuning Kit
» MINI Crossover Concept Official Release
» MINI Dealers to Sell Fiats in North America?
» MINI Challenge Race Car in the US
» MF's MINI United Video (part 1)
» MF Exclusive: Ask Stracco Part 2
» R57: Seriously Always Open
» Factory JCW MINI in Detail
» Fiat & BMW To Co-Develop Next MINI?
» Exclusive MINI Takes the State Info
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
MotoringFile Downloads



MotoringFile Buyers Guides
R50 ('02-'06 MC) Buyers GuideR53 ('02-'06 MCS) Buyers Guide
MotoringFile Reviews
Auto Reviews:'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
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

Performance Accessories:
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:
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
MINI Model Number Cheat Sheet:
1st Gen MINIR50: 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



