Official Release: The John Cooper Works name has been inextricably linked with the legendary motorsport exploits of MINI for over 40 years now. The acclaimed British firm is synonymous with racing expertise and premium quality, and the spirit of John Cooper is also woven into the exquisite MINI Collection in the shape of textiles and accessories for him and her. This sporting product line sets out to “KEEP IT WILD” and transfer that racing feeling to the road. In so doing, the items in the range exude a cool vintage style, complete with logos and trim features which recall the distinctive British Racing Green colour shade. This authentic look will please both budding amateur mechanics and those with less of a fondness for grease and spanners. continued →
Yes this may be a cheaper way to get bluetooth in your MINI (with a MINI logo involved), but we implore you, please don’t walk around with this thing in your ear.
Official Release: The driver of a BMW or MINI who wishes to always remain in touch also while travelling now has the choice of new Bluetooth headsets matched specifically to his car. These universal hands-free mobile phone communication systems are made up of a combined earplug/microphone unit and ensure smooth and reliable communication to the user’s mobile phone through a Bluetooth connection, without requiring any kind of cable or wiring. continued →
After much customer inquires, MINI has introduced an official Bluetooth retrofit kit for the R55, R56, R57 produced after 03/07. The retrofit kit enables you to connect most bluetooth devices. Additionally the kit also includes a USB/audio interface. Here’s the full list of functionality:
Functions of the hands-free kit
Voice output via the car’s loudspeakers
Control via voice commands (only with multifunction steering wheel)
Telephone book display and selection, top 8 list and last numbers called
Wireless connection of the mobile phone to the car via Bluetooth
Usage of the telephone’s own aerial
Storage of the telephone in an storage tray or in a jacket pocket
Up to four mobile phones can be connected continued →
Simon sent us this via the MF Inbox, concerning the internet radio feature.
Sharp eyed MF reader Jas brought this one to our attention. The original video is after the jump.
Look at this video, around the 0.28 second mark, it shows a yellow convertible, with a new NAV user interface? I have only ever seen a different looking one, like a list.
We had a feeling the nav system was going to be updated and would guess that these changes should start showing up in the 2010 model year cars. We will have full details when they are available. continued →
The JCW Tuning Kit. We’ve raved about it for two years as one of the better JCW accessories released. However until just recently it was a R56 only modification. We reported last spring that its release on the Clubman was and today we can officially tell you it is available at dealers throughout the US. Available for a few months in Europe and the UK, the kit features the same power and torque figures as the version on the R56. The kit takes the stock Clubman MCS from 175bhp to 192bhp. But more importantly it increases torque to as much as 200lbs-ft within the range from 1750 to 4500 rpm with the over-boost function. Additionally the ECU tuning sharpens the already fast throttle tip-in (with sport button on of course) to even higher levels.
The kit will be available on both manuals and automatics starting immediately. This also means that MINI USA now offers the tuning kit for all three variants (R55, R56 and R57) and in both manual and auto.
You can read our review of the JCW Tuning Kit (JCW Stage I as we’ve called it) as it pertains to the MINI R56 MCS here.
We’ve been wanting to get our hands on a Mini Do More trailer hitch for years but never had the right opportunity. Luckily we found someone who had not only bought and use the hitch. But also towed pretty much everything you could think of.. including a plane. Enjoy:
I ordered my Clubman (on January 24, 2008) with the “factory tow package” and was disappointed to find it deleted when I took delivery on 2/29/08. I was further disappointed when Mini of Peabody (MA) told me they wouldn’t install an after-market hitch (giving me some vague story that it wasn’t crash-tested with a tow hitch).
So I spent next 12 months on the waiting lists of MiniFini and Mini Do More while they perfected their Clubman hitches. Finally in January ‘09, I ordered and installed Mini Do More’s Trailer Receiver Hitch & Tow Wiring Harness. continued →
As well as having a huge influence on the international music scene, British bands like the Sex Pistols, The Clash and the Rolling Stones have also left their hallmark as style icons on the world of fashion. In a year when we are celebrating the 50th birthday of the brand, MINI presents an authentic lifestyle collection of fabrics and accessories showcasing essential “Brit chic” with Union Jack prints and rockstar badges. continued →
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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
Sections: Accessories, JCW Oct 30th, 2009 12 Comments 
