WHAT'S COMING UP?

Avenue of the Giants Weekend Run - Sat. March 23, 2024

Saturday will be a very full day of cruising from Novato up through the Avenue of the Giants and ending at Eel River Brewing in Fortuna. Sun...

"The MINI Convertible Is Still The Best Drop-Top Supermini You Can Buy"

Don't take our word for it.  That's the verdict of U.K.'s AutoExpress:












Verdict

4
It's due for replacement, but the MINI Convertible is still the best drop-top supermini you can buy. Sure, the boot and back seats are tiny, and the firm ride is tiring. But the fully folding roof gives it a clear advantage in this test, while stop-start means the more powerful engine in the Cooper S delivers economy and emissions on a par with the Citroen.

Comparison Of The Fiat 500L To The MINI Cooper Countryman

autoevolution's BMW Power blog discusses Auto und Motor Sport's comparison of the Fiat 500L and the MINI Cooper Countryman that handed the 500L the win despite losing to the MINI in every category except price and fuel consumption.

Prodrive To Create Rallycross Car From MINI John Cooper Works

www.Crash.net reports Prodrive will create the MINI RX, a MINI John Cooper Works modified for rallycross, that will compete in the X Games and the Global Rallycross Championship.

The Mini Adventures Of Mirabelle The Boston Terrier



[Source: HappyDogAdventures @ YouTube]

Inside The MINI Paceman Cooper S



[Source: drivelifestyle @ YouTube]

"Bring More Variety And Driving Fun To The Premium Compact Segment"

That is what BMWBlog thinks the Countryman and Paceman bring to the table.

Find The MINI

There's one in there somewhere, guaranteed!

[Source: Braminator @ YouTube]

Tag, You're It

Watch a MINI Cooper S chase a Mazda RX-7 on the Tail Of The Dragon.



[Source: Nick Dorfer @ YouTube]

How Many Electric MINI Coopers Are There In A Power Plant?

Fifteen electric MINI Cooper have been designated a power plant in the state of Delaware according to a newsworks.org article. The MINIs have two way chargers that allow the vehicles to feed energy into the grid as well as charge from the grid.

Russian Street Racing Insanity

BMW M5 versus a MINI Cooper JCW GP in heavy Russian traffic. Don't try this at home.  These two Ruskies are insanely stupid.



[Source: MrRussianRacer @ YouTube]

Dealing With Traffic On The Track

Motor Trend posted this instructive video from The J-Turn.

MINI Cooper Action From Rali De Portugal 2013

Oleksii Kikireshko / Sergei Larens (MINI Cooper S 2000)



[Source: Nuno Filipe Lorvão @ YouTube]

Kosciuszko / Szczepaniak (MINI John Cooper Works)



[Source: Nuno Filipe Lorvão @ YouTube]


Paceman, A Signpost To MINI's Future

David Linklater, writing for The National Business Review, thinks the MINI Paceman points to the future of the MINI brand and expects to see commercial production of the Rocketman within the next five years.

Auto-X Automatic JCW's

The Countryman and Coupe JCW with automatic transmissions in Hong Kong during a Press event.



[Source: car1hk @ YouTube]

MINI Paceman Versus Range Rover Evoque Coupe

The BMW Power blog by autoevolution compares the MINI Paceman and Range Rover Evoque Coupe. It concludes:
"Bottom line, both cars have their advantages. The Rover looks better and is more posh than the MINI but drives worse. The Paceman is less practical but gives you more satisfaction behind the wheel, not to mention the almost $16,000 (€12,200) price difference. Either way, it only depends on what you want to do with your car and how much money you're willing to spend on it.

Out Of The Closet's North Hollywood Debut MINI Giveaway

For details go to outofthecloset.org.



Holoczwyc Holds Second At Sealine Rally Qatar After Unlucky Second Day

After the second special stage of the Sealine Rally Qatar marathonrally.com reports the Monster Energy X-raid Team and its Polish-German pairing Krzysztof Holowczyc / Andreas Schulz currently hold second position overall with their Mini All4 Racing although finishing sixth on the second special stage. It advises, in part:
"In the early stages, Holowczyc and Schulz succeeded in passing Schlesser’s buggy but then, a tyre puncture cost him some time. Afterwards, things looked promising again – until the pairing was stopped by a broken wheel. Fortunately, there weren’t any further damages on the MINI ALL4 Racing and they worked hard to fit a new tyre as fast as possible but lost several minutes, nevertheless, and had to settle for finishing sixth."

BMW To Rally A Well Worn 2003 MINI

MINI and BMW Group Classic are registered as partners for the Allgau-Orient Rally, an event that combines driving fun with fundraising skills. Each team must purchase a 20+ year old car for no more than €1,111.11 ($1,446) and prepare for the rally, a long trip across Europe to the finish line in Jordan.Teams must drive 666 km (416 miles) per day, cannot use highways and leave the cars behind at the end of the race to be sold for charity.

According to the BMW Power blog of autoevolution MINI will rally a 2003 MINI Cooper with over 180,000 km (110,000 miles) on its odometer. This car is the only exception from the 20-year old rule and is the official car of the organizing committee.

The MINI Countryman At The 2013 Colorado Auto Show



[Source: AboutColorado @ YouTube]

Autocar Reviews The MINI GPII

U.K.'s Autocar provides a thorough review of the new MINI GP and provides an interestingly negative verdict:
For anyone other than the staunchest Mini fan, a fair-minded appraisal of the GP’s talents is likely to swing back and forth on unaligned hinges: first, is it worthy of the reputation already established by the badge, and second, does it live up to its ominously large price?

Measured against much of our standard criteria – not least a stopwatch – this GP is undeniably an improvement over the last. Where the manufacturer has fleshed out the blueprint – namely, with an even more sophisticated suspension set-up and track tyres – it has reaped the inevitable benefits.

Nevertheless, there’s a nagging suspicion that BMW has honed this Mini right up to the point where a tape measure can be held to it and then declared the project a success. Some of the raucous impishness of the first car, that pointy diff-inspired dazzle, has gone.

The result is a more sophisticated prospect, but not necessarily a more entertaining one.

That distinction doesn’t prevent the car from earning its spurs as a proper GP edition, but in the hallowed company in which it finds itself courtesy of cost, it is an also-ran.

"The One Mini Should Have Taken Rallying"

That is the sub-title of Autoblog's "First Drive" review of the 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman All4 which concludes:
After a hard day of driving, we came away authentically surprised at how much we enjoyed this hot edition of the seventh Mini. Now, if Oxford and Munich had only used this Paceman bodywork for their WRC effort instead of the Countryman tubster, perhaps they wouldn't have exited rally racing after only one year.

2013 Clubman Hyde Park Edition Inside And Out



[Source: AutoMoto Tube @ YouTube]

I Saw Nothing, Heard Nothing And Know Nothing About It

cars.com's Kicking Tires blog discusses a study at Insure.com where 1,000 married people were surveyed about admitting to their spouse where scratches, dents and dings on their motor vehicles had originated. According to the internet survey study:
"35% admitted to dinging the car themselves and telling their spouse that someone else did it. Fully one quarter said they kept a traffic ticket secret from their spouse, and nearly that many have kept a car accident secret."

Men were found to lie about twice as often as women. No statistics are provided on the percentage of those that lie in internet survey studies.

MINI Returns As Official Partner Of 2013 Kitesurf Tour Europe

The BMW Power blog by autoevolution says MINI has partnered for the second year in a row as a sponsor of the Kitesurf Tour Europe which is the official world championship for both Freestyle and Racing divisions of Kitesurfing.

A Little Footage From The Targa Rally Sprint 2013

tysonzane @ YouTube provides this video and this explanation:
Mini Cooper Car 657 of Barry Hare and Tyson Jemmett competeting in the 2013 Targa Rally Sprint. This is footage of the first run where the car was the first 2wd and 4th overall. Unfortunately the car left the road on the second pass of the day and rolled. The time of the first run still resulted in a 4th in class result.



MINI And Dezeen World Tour Hit Milan's Salone del Mobile 2013

MINI Space discusses the Paceman's presence in Milan and provides videos of Milan's hot spots.

Keeping You And Your Car Healthy

[Source: Braminator @ NorthAmericanMotoring.com]

JCW Cooper Versus JCW Countryman

. . . . and they're off at the Circuito de Navarra!



[Source: CircuitoNavarra @ YouTube]

MINI Mania's Nevada City Adventure June 1, 2013

MINI Mania has announced the following information about its 13th Nevada City Adventure:

Nevada City Adventure Mini Mania's Annual Car Show & Open House
Saturday June 1, 2013 8am-4pm
870 Gold Flat Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
FREE Event!

You are invited to attend Mini Mania's 13th Annual Nevada City Adventure, our annual car show and open house event! We'll have live music, FREE lunch, a scenic driving tour & poker run through the Sierra Foothills, DYNO testing, SprintBooster demos, product discounts, a weekend at Lake Tahoe giveaway and much more! 

Miniology will be here broadcasting from our event and Richard Dilabio, who is often featured in MC2 Magazine will be here with his extensive collection of Mini models! We are even in the process of trying to help organize caravans from MINI dealerships from East Bay MINI to Niello MINI to MINI of Reno!

Nevada City, CA is in Nevada County and is... 

1 hour from Sacramento
1 and a half hours from Reno
2 and a half hours from the Bay Area

For more information click here.
To RSVP or share our FREE event with Your Facebook friend click here.


We are currently searching for two known CA residents that have converted their classic mini to electric hoping we can get them to come showcase their car. If you know of who they are please let us know!

We sure hope you'll join us! Questions? Contact us at 1-800-946-2642.

DIY: Install A MINI JCW GP2 Rear Diffuser On A 2012 MCS



[Source: WestcoastAutobahn @ YouTube]

MINI JCW Models To Premiere At Auto Shanghai 2013

autoevolution reports that Auto Shanghai 2013 will host the Asian premiere of five JCW models.

"Premium Van For The Modern-Day Milkman"

That is the subtitle of autoblog's first drive review of the MINI Clubvan.  It concludes:
Though this eighth model variant in the Mini lineup is really just a doctored Mini Clubman, we really like the Clubman and hence can endorse its van offspring. It is a shame about the added tax pumping up the price, though, as well as the unfortunate fact that North America can't get the little 110-hp turbodiesel we tested here, as it's ideal.

Ouch! Now, That's Got To Hurt!



[Source: Satrascavideos @ YouTube]

Putting A MINI Paceman JCW Up Against A BMW M135i



[Source: autocar @ YouTube]

BRAVO's Million Dollar Listing Star Buys A MINI Cooper S

autoevolution's BMW Power blog reports that Chad Rogers, the star of the BRAVO series Million Dollar Listing, has purchased a MINI Cooper S to go along with his  Bentley Continental GT according to celebritycarsblog.com.

Butter Rose Chromalusion Stripes On A Countryman

Pretty! Like the way the stripes illuminate and change color based the viewing angle.



[Source: Brooks Yeilding @ YouTube]

X-raid Team's Roma Wins Abu Dhabi Challenge 2013

MINIMotorsport reports MINI ALL4 Racing X-raid Team driver Nani Roma has won the Abu Dhabi Challenge 2013. Krzysztof Holowczyc finished fifth following an incredible comeback.

If You Need A Tow In North Carolina Call . . .

[Source:  My Prozac Moment Timeline Photos @ facebook]

A Lap At Mondello Park In The MINI JCW GPII



[Source: revmediaie @ YouTube]

Motorsport Italia Runs Into Trouble At Rally de Portugal

At rallye-info.com co-driver Maciek Szczepaniak reports on trouble he and Michal Kosciuszko experienced when their MINI JCW WRC cut out during day two of Rally de Portugal dropping him to 14th at the start of day three. He tells www.crash.net that, running on used tires, they were forced to retire on the final stage when the gearbox broke.

Frenzied On-Board The Team Castrol MINI Challenge JCW



[Source: MolekeM @ YouTube]

DIY: Install A Front License Plate On A MINI

It's easy.  That's why we provide this video from visualimpaired @ YouTube.  However, we have to ask, why would you produce oral videos for visually impaired people to repair cars they have trouble seeing and may not even be able to qualify for a driver's license to drive them?

2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Versus 2013 MINI Cooper Roadster S

AutoGuide compares the two in this video:



[Source: via Moja polvalka @ YouTube]

A U.K. Video Review Of The MINI Countryman SD

Hello, MINI, where is the North American version?  Do we have to ask until we are red, white and blue in the face?



[Source: Shaun Elliott @ YouTube]

A Revised Clubman? Roadster Coupe Combo and A Spacebox?

MotoringFile takes the comments by MINI USA Vice President Jim McDowell differently than what most auto business writers interpreted as a likely  contraction of the number of models in the MINI line-up.  It thinks a revised Clubman, with two suicide doors, one on each side; a hardtop convertible Roadster that combines the present Roadster and the Coupe; and a family van concept, the Spacebox or Traveler, will all figure predominantly in MINI's future.    

Psst! I'll Be In The Bay Area. Know Where I Can Rent A Countryman?

Sure! Alan's 2012 MINI Countryman might be available through RelayRides for $8.50/hour or $42.00/day or  $210.00/week or  $672.00/month plus gas and insurance.

2013 Roadster S Slalom Test

From the Car Of The Year Philippines posted by Niky Tamayo @ YouTube.


Sand Digger

Check out this wonderful photo of a MINI Dakar Spec Rally car in the sand of Abu Dhabi from the X-raid Team of MINI ALL4 Racing posted by Orridgenal.

MINI Versus MINI At Laguna Seca



[Source: Wooram Aaron Yang @ YouTube]


MINI Going After College Kids With College Kids

Check out this Iowa State University student submission "Unleashing The Alpha Dogs" to the 2013 MINI Brand Challenge.  Decide whether what they say about your decision to consider purchasing a MINI is true.



[Source: Brian Skalak @ YouTube]

MINI Of Pensacola Does The Harlem Shake



[Source: mungomini @ YouTube]

German Road Trip In The MINI Roadster



[Source: KenDProducties @ YouTube]

Some Big Dick Shuts Down Nurburgring

Jalopnik reports Nurburgring was temporarily shut down in order to remove graffiti of a huge penis and scrotum from the track. We want to know, who had the balls to paint it on the track?

No More MINI Roadsters And Coupes?

The hatchback and Countryman comprise 75% of MINI's sales.  With slow Roadster and Coupe sales, and statements by MINI USA Vice President Jim McDowell that not all of the present vehicles will be in the new seven car line-up, LeftLane speculates that the Roadster and Coupe are on the chopping block.

Is The New F56 Interior A Square Peg In A Round Hole?

MotoringFile thinks it might be and discusses how the interior came to this.

A Test Drive In A Prototype Three Cylinder Engine BMW

AutoSpies.com got 10 minutes of seat time in a prototype BMW 1 series equipped with the new engine.  It still has a year of development to be fine tuned but here is the synopsis of AutoSpies' observations:
The GOOD:
- Iconic, BMW sound - Quick revving motor - Power is more than adequate 
The BAD:
- Chattery, agricultural engine noise at low RPMs 
The LOWDOWN:
- The smartest thing BMW could do is utilize this engine in other cars aside from the i8 (1-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series) - BMW's future with this motor is BRIGHT

The 2014 MINI Speedometer Is Way Too Big

[Source: via Braminator @ NorthAmericanMotoring.com]