Why in the world would you need a book on your MINI? With MotoringFile, NAM, and MINI2 out there offering information on every facet of the MINI experience, you’d think that the market would be covered at this point. So what hope does a book have in a MINI world dominated by up to the minute news and forums full of great people there to help.
The obvious answer: very little. But despite this, Motoring succeeds in part by focusing much of its 240 pages on details that the websites typically don’t go into (without digging through forum archives). In doing this, the book acts as a reference guide for all things MINI while speaking to both the novice and the seasoned enthusiast. It’s the kind of book that you’d consult for everything from proper tire settings to heel/toe methods.
The book’s first chapters are spent helping you decide what MINI you should go with and what modifications should go on immediately after. Those who bought a Cooper S hardtop will feel right at home in this section. Those who chose a Cooper (or, gasp, even a sunroof!) will feel a bit left out. Authors Gary Anderson & Don Racine make no bones about what they believe is the MINI that you should get. A stripped down, low weight Cooper S.
From there, Motoring goes into how to get the most out of your new MINI with performance modifications. The book does a great job cutting through the jargon that is associated with the aftermarket and making hard to explain products and techniques easy to grasp even for the novice. However, while the advice is typically straight forward and sensible, it’s important to keep in mind that Motoring is co-authored by Don Racine (founder and owner of Mini Mania). So while most of the product recommendations make sense within the context of the subject, you can’t help but get the feeling that there’s some serious cross-selling going on in this area of the book. This is especially evident when you consider a few items that are mentioned in this chapter aren’t easily found anywhere else in the US but Mini Mania.
After modifying your MINI, some owners get the urge to take it to the track, and that’s just where our authors take us for much of the balance of the book. And it’s this area where Motoring really shines as both a good read and as a great reference guide that will surely keep on your shelf for years to come.
Overall, Motoring would be a solid addition to most MINI owners’ collection. Whether your a novice or a seasoned auto-crossing pro, you’ll find much to like about the book. While it may not represent a truly independent point of view when it comes to modifying your car, it does deliver great information on every aspect of the MINI that you’ll keep coming back to.
Rating: 3.5 (out of five)
Motoring – Getting the Maximum from your New MINI is avilable from Mini Mania for $29.95.
<p>Oh goody – another MINI book to buy ;)</p>
<p>Hmmm… the story on the ad campaign is missing… Gabe – I’m guessing you heard from them and was requested to remove it?</p>
<p>Yeah, access to the site is restricted now, too.</p>
<p>Hope Amazon has it. I’ve still got a gift cert from Christmas. Gabe, does the book have anything to say about the standard radio, HK, or stereo upgrading?</p>
<p>Ooooh scandal!!!!</p>
<p>Hugh – the only place the book is currently available is the website listed in the review.</p>
<p>(dripping sarcasm on) Oh, what a coincidence! (dripping sarcasm off)</p>
<p>So, I’m supposed to buy a book, filled with things that are already easily found on the internet for free – with more up to date data mind you, and option/mod a car based on someone else’s opinions and likes? Yeah…ok. I guess there are some people that wish washy out there though.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>I do want to apologize for being overly negative with my sarcastic comment… I realize you took the time to read and review the book for the greater good of the community. However, I hope you can at least appreciate that it seems to be heavily disguised marketing material for Mini Mania. You seemd to realize that in your review, yet your review was generally positive (“solid addition”)… I couldn’t help but give in to the significant urge to comment!</p>
<p>Edge – you’re 100% right. I think the poster above either didn’t thoroughly read my review or has no idea what’s in the book (probably both). </p>
<p>Anyway, the thing that saved the book in my opinion is the later half when they talk about driving techniques for the road and the track. Honestly the chapters where they discuss performance modifcations got a little tiring. I think most people won’t mind the affiliation with Mini Mania, but for someone who knows the aftermarket well, it can get a little tiring. Not that there’s anything wrong with Mini Mania. It’s just that you’d idealy want an independant voice when reading about modifying the MINI.</p>
<p>Would I personally go out and buy the book? Hard to say. I’ll definitely keep it around for reference in the future. Would I recommend it to someone who is entering into the auto enthusiast realm for the first time (with the MINI), absolutely.</p>
<p>Personally, I usually buy pretty much every book I can find on any of the marques I own. Even if the tuning and mod info might be dated, I value every resource out there, even from vendors with an agenda, if for nothing else other than comparative results. There might be an idea or two that may not be quite what you’re looking for, but that might start you down another path to a better result, so I would read anything thoroughly B4 knocking it. </p>
<p>I kinda figured the stripper ‘S’ would be the main course – tuners like to start with the model with the most prospects for maximum results per dollar input, and the ‘S’ has a much more tuneable motor. This is the historical path with Minis and MINIs anyway, and I look forward to seeing more of these books as time goes buy. </p>
<p>I’m glad they threw in a good section on driving, that might be more important for a newbie than the mods! 😉 I wish they were more available thru regular sources – time will tell if such narrowcastingis as successful as conventional adverts.</p>
<pre><code> BCNU,
Rob in Dago
</code></pre>
<p>Ive ordered it, but dont like that shipping is not advised when placing an order, the suggestion being it will just be added to the total and billed to me.
shipping to australia with fedex and that adds $100 without blinking.
chosen priority mail and will advise how much it actually ends costing once i hear</p>
<p>Hi Gabe. Is JCW tuning discussed in the book?</p>
<p>Very briefly.</p>
<p>Yeah, because they can’t sell you JCW stuff on the website. Heh.</p>
<p>Got my invoice just then $15 US for priority mail shipping to AUS. bloody expensive, but i guess its on its way now</p>
<p>It Arrived! however with 8 pages double printed and 2 with smudges on, looks like some QC messed up with my copy. hope yours ends up in better condition than this!</p>