NorCal MINIs' Friday Upcoming Event Reminders

NorCal MINIs' Avenue Of The Giants Overnight

Don't miss this great event. On Saturday September 11, 2010, we will stop at the Chandelier Tree (bring a picnic lunch) ($5/car) so we can take pictures of our MINIs as we drive through the tree. Then it is on to Shelter Cove, CA, a jewel of a small village on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. You can review the full itinerary by clicking here.

We have blocked rooms at the Inn of the Lost Coast where we have been able to negotiate a room rate of $130 ($149 including room tax). The Inn has a beautiful hot tub and large decks. Every room has a panoramic view of the Pacific and a patio.

To reserve your room phone 707-986-7521 or toll free 888-570-9676

and tell Justin that you are with NorCal MINIs. 

Inn space is limited and going quickly although there are other local lodging options. Make your reservation today.

We are leaving Sam’s For Play Cafe on Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa (see itinerary) promptly at 9:00 am.  Get there early if you want to have breakfast there first.  If you are driving from the East Bay, we are leaving promptly at 6:30 a.m. from the Elephant Bar parking lot off of Willow Pass Road in Concord, CA (map) to caravan to breakfast.

Bring your FRS Radios. After you have a confirmed reservation please RSVP to your email calendar invitation or send an RSVP to info@norcalminis.com.

NorCal MINIs Run To The Delta Blues Festival

On Saturday, September 18, 2010, NorCal MINIs will run to, and attend, the Antioch Delta Blues Festival.  You can check this year's talent line-up here.
Mark the date for this great run and show.







Monster Sierra Passes Run
Endless twisties and fall colors.  Get ready for the NorCal MINIs' Monster Sierra Passes Run scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2010.  This is an all day run through ther Sierras.  Starting in Sonora we will traverse the Sonora Pass, Monitor Pass, Luther Pass and Carson Pass; stop for Markleeville for lunch and end up in Jackson for dinner.  Bring a co-driver and experience more switchbacks and fall beauty than you can shake a manual stick at!  Watch here and your email for more information and, for members, look for your NorCal MINIs' member invitation.











NorCal MINIs' Annual Membership Breakfast And Planning Meeting

Make sure you are available for breakfast on Saturday, October 23, 2010. This will be the annual general NorCal MINIs' Membership Meeting to plan and vote on NorCal MINIs' events and runs for 2011. The breakfast location and time for the meeting will be announced soon!

Even if you can't make the meeting you may offer your event and/or run proposal for voting. Anyone may propose a run but only 2010 NorCal MINIs' Members are entitled to vote.  Members may vote in person or by proxy at the breakfast meeting. Send your 2011 event and run proposals to info@norcalminis.com early so they can get facetime before our 2010 Members prior to the meeting.

MINI's WRC Team Gets Its First Driver

Autocar, as reported by MotoringFile, reveals that Prodrive has signed young British rally driver Kris Meeke as its first driver for the ProDrive MINI WRC Team. Last year Meeke drove for Peugeot UK. Here is Meeke's bio.

TopSpeed Reviews The 2011 Countryman

TopSpeed concludes in its review of the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman:

Buying this sort of machine is more of an attempt to be different, but that’s not really a bad thing. It’s more practical than the Cooper and is pretty good to drive. It features head turning looks and an improved interior feel. Not to mention the fact that the Mini product line seems to hold its value quite well. Image conscious city dwellers, new families, or people with money to burn will certainly take a look at this vehicle. As quirky SUVs go, this is far better than the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Some will love it, some will hate it, but many will buy it.

Why We Love It - It drives better than most crossovers and it looks better too. The interior is spacious, but it keeps the traditional Mini style.

Why We Hate It - Some of the Mini driving characteristics have been lost due to the car’s size. Some won’t like the styling.

VinylStyles Offering Carbon Fiber Mirror Cap And Repeater Wraps

VinylStyles now offers carbon fiber mirror cap wraps for the R55, R56 & R53 for $120/pair (if they do the wrapping) and carbon fiber wrapped repeaters for $75/pair.

[Source: Lagston@VinylStyles @ NorthAmericanMotoring.com]

Nope, Ain't Going To Cross There

Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, US

Don't look if you have a fear of heights but it Thing surveys the scariest bridges around the world.

People Living In Ft. Collins, CO Have Car Accidents Every 14.5 Years

Allstate Insurance Company conducted a study of the number of insurance claims and recorded accidents from the last 12 months. According to the data, drivers in Ft, Collins, CO will get into an accident every 14.5 years, which is 31.2 percent better than the national average. The worst was Washington D.C. where drivers have an accident every 5.1 years. By way of comparison San Francisco drivers have an accident every 6.7 years; Oakland drivers every 8.0 years; San Jose drivers every 8.6 years; and Santa Rosa drivers every 10.2 years. You can view complete results on the Allstate website. Here is a video about the results and a few tips for safer driving:




[Source: Allstate via Autoblog via rpmgo.com]

Five Repairs For Which You May Be Overcharged

[Graphic Credit: Super Street]

cnet's cartech blog lists the top five overcharged repair jobs - brakes, windshield wipers, battery, headlight bulbs and belts - and tells you why they are overcharged and how much they should cost.

Mini Mini Motorers

Check out these half-scale sports cars— Porsche 356, the Mercedes Benz 300SL, the Jaguar E-type, the Willys Jeep, and the Bugatti T35. The manufacturer, GroupHarrington.com, calls them "children's cars," but, they fit one adult. They come with 50cc engines, but you can customize them with any racing kart engine you want and you can choose an automatic or manual transmission. You can also order a leather interior, race exhaust, wood rimmed steering wheel and/or racing numbers.

[Source: via Gizmodo]

How Far Can MINI Stretch The Brand?

Jorn Madslien, a BBC News business reporter covers the Countryman release and the evolution of the present day MINI in this BBC News article. The main concern expressed is whether MINI will drive away its present customers. Madslien writes:

But targeting customers who are looking for practicality could backfire if it alienates traditional Mini customers who are looking for a funky and youthful experience.

Hence, the Countryman risks stretching the Mini brand to its limits, perhaps damaging its carefully honed image in the process. Launching it thus poses a significant risk for its parent company BMW.

But that, executives say, is a risk worth taking as building on the roaring success of Mini's existing hatchback, convertible and Clubman models could also prove hugely rewarding.

"This is arguably the most important launch since we introduced the New Mini in 2001," says Mr. [MINI product manager Lee] Connolly.

Japanese Cars Just Don't Float Our Boat

Looks like they have a roll-over problem.

[Source: English Russia]

MINI May Revive Riley Brand With Luxury Model

MINI is considering an upmarket premium MINI model with higher-grade leather and real wood trim. Inspired by the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet, luxury versions of the original Mini built from 1961 to 1969, the rumored new vehicle would be branded a Riley. Don't expect to see this one for a few years.

[Source: Autocar.co.uk via AutoGuide.com]

KBB Reviews The 2010 MINI Two-Door JCW Convertible

Kelly Blue Book provides a thorough review of the 2010 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible by multiple editors. KBB's overall conclusions are:

You'll Like This Car If...
If you are looking for a cute and clever convertible, but don't want to pay a fortune at the dealership or the gas pump, the 2010 MINI Cooper Convertible may be exactly what you're looking for.

You May Not Like This Car If...
If you regularly travel with more than one passenger or need lots of cargo space, the MINI Cooper Convertible might not be your best bet. Despite excellent use of the available space, it is still a very small car. Also, the MINI's ride may be too jarring for those more interested in comfort than performance.

Too Fast For My Blood

Shown from left to right: Earl Francis Curzon Howe, 

Captain Malcolm Campbell, and Rudolf Caracciola

 -- after winning the Irish Grand Prix on July 21, 1930,

at Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland.

HowStuffWorks discusses the top 5 speeds clocked on the Autobahn. No. 1 is
268.8 miles per hour (432.59 kilometers per hour) by driver Rudolf Caracciola in a 1930's V-12 Mercedes-Benz W125. Read the article and check out the full story of the top 5 Autobahn speeders.

"MINI rocks sonoro" Internet Radio

MINI and German manufacturer of designer audio products sonoro are set to unveil "MINI rocks sonoro," a limited edition internet radio. It has a distinctive wood case finished in Eclipse Grey metallic exterior lacquer from MINI complete with MINI sport stripes. It features an iPod docking station, radio frequency remote control, along with a powerful, robust sound produced by a 3-inch full range speaker with an internal digital equalizer and bass reflex tube. It also includes instant preset access to the four MINI Sounds Webradio stations. The radio will debut September 3rd, 2010, when it is to be unveiled to the public at the Maison & Objet trade show for furniture and interior design in Paris.

[Source: MINI Space]

Getting A Bit Over-Exhausted

[Source: You Drive What? via Ridelust]

[Source: You Drive What?]

Is A Countryman Coupe On The Horizon?

Based on this Autocar article, autoblog says it is rumored that MINI will produce a shorter version of the Countryman with a four door configuration, that includes two suicide doors, for 2013, to compete with the Range Rover Evoque.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign You Can Eat On

Check out the functional artwork of John Wilson. Wilson is a welder, metal sculptor and art car builder who creates end-tables crafted from salvaged stop signs and benches from tailgates.

[Source: via Hooniverse]

MINI Sales Slide In August

BMW reports a nosedive in MINI sales for August 2010. To be fair, sales were down throughout the industry including Hyundai and Subaru which recently have had their best sales years. MINI USA reported sales of 4,425 automobiles, a decrease of 13.4 percent from the 5,111 cars sold last year. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 29,704 automobiles, a decrease of 3.8 percent from the 30,868 units sold last year. MINI claims the drop in sales is attributable to inflated last year numbers for July and August 2009 from the Cash for Clunkers program that artifically boosted sales volume.

MINI expects sales to gain momentum as the year progresses due the updated 2011 model year vehicles arriving at dealerships in two weeks.

[Source: BMW Group PressClub USA]

Switzerland Considers Drive-Through Prostitution

Zurich officials have proposed adding "sex boxes" to the city, an idea adopted Essen and Cologne, Germany, so that prostitution may continue out of public sight. The boxes are quickie drive-throughs in order to free up city streets from public sexual acts that can be viewed by Zurich residents whose homes overlook the city's red light district.

[Source: Time Newsfeed]

This Month East Bay MINI Offers Service Specials

East Bay MINI is running a bunch of service specials through the end of September. These include:

. . .a FREE smog with any smog related repair completed at East Bay MINI. Regular Price $164. Sale Price FREE. (Cllient must pay for $8.25 certificate fee)
--------------------------------------------------
SMOG SPECIAL.
SAVE $50
Sale price $79.95 + $8.25 certificate fee. Regular price $129.95
--------------------------------------------------
FREE DIAGNOSTIC.
Recieve a FREE diagnositc check of: check engine light, coolant leaks and oil leaks. Regular Price $164. Sale Price FREE.
--------------------------------------------------
FUEL INJECTION CLEAN.
$149.00
Improve your MINI fuel efficiency, increase horse power and repair some performance concerns. Let's Motor Smoothly.
--------------------------------------------------
AIR CONDITIONER SPECIAL.
SAVE $100
Ensure you stay cool this summer with the air conditioner service that includes checking performance, evacuate, recharge and leak test. Regular Price $249. Sale Price $149.
*additional charge for freon
--------------------------------------------------
BRAKE & COOLANT FLUSH SPECIAL.
$169.95
Save $49.95 with a brake and coolant flush special.
--------------------------------------------------
BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENT.
$50 OFF/AXLE
Save $50/axle for brake pad and rotor replacement. $25/axle if only pads are completed.
--------------------------------------------------

You can make an appointment on-line.

Roadster And Coupe To Get Movable Rear Spoiler

MotoringFile says TotalMINI and Bigblogg are reporting that the R58 Roadster and R59 Coupe will feature movable rear spoilers similar to the Audi TT RS or Porsche Carrera that deploy at speeds over 30-50 mph and help create downforce and high speed stability.

Expect Heavier Traffic During This Labor Day Weekend

AAA expects a 10.3% increase in traffic compared with last year due to improved economic activity. AAA predicts the average distance traveled will be about 635 miles (that includes all types of travel, not just motor vehicles), slightly less than a year ago, and that the average family will spend about $697 this holiday, $50 more than last year.

[Source: via cars.com Kicking Tires blog]

New EPA Mileage Stickers Posted For Public Comment

Here are the two new designs.  What do you think?  Give your thoughts to the EPA right here.

[Source: via cars.com Kicking Tires Blog]

You Don't Have To Tell Your Parents You Smoke

They will find out. UPI.com reports that a 19 year old New Jersey women failed in an attempt to throw her still burning cigarette butt out the window of her Honda Civic. It ignited the car interior resulting in a total loss although the 19 year old probably learned first hand about one of the perils of smoking and so did her parents.

[Photo Credit: AnnArbor.com]

BMW Wants Dealers To Use Specific Inspection Software

In what appears to be an effort to increase dealer service bay profitability BMW is asking its dealers throughout the US to implement MPi-EDGE/World Class Inspection software. BMW says it is trying, through this initiative, to increase the number of multi-point vehicle inspections by making it easier and faster for service technicians to conduct them. The MPi system allows mechanics to use a handheld device to check off formatted inspection points on a mobile screen, and quickly produce a report describing a list of repairs needed and the corresponding costs.

The program is intended to increase the number of repair orders, the service and parts profits, and to improve customer satisfaction by keeping clients’ cars in good and safe running order. It appears that the system leads also to an average $100-$125 in additional needed repairs per inspection, therefore boosting the sales of parts in BMW shops and allowing shops to increase their profits.

[AutoWard via BMWBlog]

Maslow's Hierarchy Of Trucks

[Source: Flicker via Hooniverse]

MINI Upgrades The 2011 JCW Engine

MotoringFile reports that the JCW dealer-installed engine kit is back for the 2011 JCW. The upgrade is in the engine management software and is paired with the same JCW components from the original version of the kit (air filter, exhaust, exhaust tips and badges). The kit provides an increase in power 189 hp to 195 hp over last year’s kit. Torque remains unchanged as does the cost - about $2,000.

Automobile Reviews The 2010 JCW Convertible

Automobile's editors each had a chance to review the vehicle and this resulted in a split decision. The detractors are best summed up in this quote from Automobile's Art Director, Matt Tierney:

I'd still love to own a MINI, and recently talked a friend into buying one, but for me, the greatest appeal to the car after the fun factor is getting out the door as cheaply as possible. At $35K-plus, the fun/cost ratio is seriously out of whack.

Want To Learn How To Drive A Rally Car?

There is always DirtFish Rally School. Take a look:




[Source: via CarDomain Blog]

MINI Countryman Get In The "Flow"

MINI's cool new Countryman advertisement and video of the making thereof.

The Commercial "Flow"

The Making Of "Flow"




[Source: MINI YouTube Channel]