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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...

My MINI Cooper S Is Faster Than Your . . . What Is That?



[Source: velvetcows @ YouTube]

How Long Will It Take To Fix Your Car After An Accident?

Depends on where you're getting it fixed, but, it looks like geography does play a big part based on data from Enterprise on the average time per State published by Automotive Digest. Fastest? North Dakota (What else do they have to do up there?) 8 days. Slowest? Rhode Island (what New York, you want a piece of me?) 14.1 days. California? 10.7 days.

Autos.ca Road Trips A 2014 MINI Cooper

Brendan McAleer writes about, and photographs, taking the 2014 MINI Cooper on a road trip to the Olympic Peninsula for Canadian website Autos.ca.  Here's a sample of the article:
The new Mini Cooper is up in its dimensions slightly, with a longer wheelbase adding in a little more rear seat room. Our gargantuan Diono child seat bolts right in, and the trunk is big enough to swallow the bulk of the luggage at nearly 250 L in capacity. We hopped on AirBnB, booked a series of places to stay throughout Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, packed the minimum we could get away with, and headed south of the border.

Need A Car Ramp To Work Under Your Vehicle?

Here's an ingenious homemade solution.

2014 MINI Cooper Convertible Called "A Fun Ride"

That is part of the headline to a review at postcrescent.com by Ken Chester, Jr. Chester concludes:
Even in standard trim, the MINI Convertible clearly expresses its exceptional position as the world's only premium convertible in its segment. The wide range of paintwork and roof colors, interior variants and special equipment suggests a complete choice of customization options so typical of the brand that each and every car becomes a personally configured one-off showpiece.

Sunday Express Reviews The New MINI Cooper S

The United Kingdom's Sunday Express provides a review of the F56 MINI Cooper S and is not comple
tely laudatory.  For example:
There’s no question the new Mini is better in innumerable wajys compared to the second generation version, but we feel it has a bit of a personality complex. That it will continue to sell in vast numbers almost goes without saying, and it remains great to drive, but this latest Mini Cooper S is not without a few growing pains.

Regents Racing's Video Review Of The 2014 MINI Cooper S



[Source: regentsracing @ YouTube]

2014 MINI Cooper S Upgrade From Maxi-Tuner

WorldCarFans highlights what may be the first upgrade tune of a 2014 MINI Cooper S by Russian tuner Maxi-Tuner. According to the article the tuned 2014 posts power of 220 ps and torque of 340 Nm!

Play Barbie MINI Cooper Car Wash!

Here is the object of the free game which is available at girlgames1:
Barbie had been to a park with her friends yesterday. The place where she parked her car must be an unlucky place because the condition of her new car is very bad at the moment. It has scratches and dust all over. Her father gave her an important task to do today. Do you know what the task is? It is to make the car look like a vip car. Help the girl to take her mini cooper to the car repair shop and get the car repaired, washed and waxed so that it looks shiny and clean again. Have a great time watching the mini cooper getting an extreme makeover in this fun filled online girl game.

We Are Unique Unto Overselves

The Globe And Mail discusses the term "Miniac" with a few of us and comes to an understanding that it is "a unique, fun-loving bunch of drivers."

Winding Road Looks At 2014 MINI Cooper and Cooper S

Winding Road takes a look at both vehicles in these videos:


MINI USA Marketing Head Promoted To International Position

According to a press release at BMW Group PressClub USA, MINI USA Head of Marketing Tom Salkowsky has accepted a new position within the global MINI organization starting November 1, 2014 in Munich, Germany as Department Head of the Key Account Management group. His successor has yet to be announced.

MotoringFile Agrees With Motor Trend Re: MINI Cooper S Coupe

MotoringFile discusses Motor Trend's choice of the MINI Cooper S Coupe as one of the "Top Sixteen Hottest New Coupes."

Medical Engineer And MINI WRC Racer Chris Wilson Profiled

MINI Space profiles successful amateur MINI WRC racer Chris Wilson who built his own MINI WRC car.

Worksop Guardian Reviews The New MINI

The U.K.'s Worksop Guardian reviews the new F56 and see it as "More MINI Magic." The review concludes:
BMW deserve praise for buying the business and improving the marque so much in every possible way and yet still retaining that original Mini magic because while the latest model appears not to have changed so much to some people once you have driven it and compared it to the previous model you appreciate just what a good new car and how different it really is.

Why? Because We Love You!

[Source: Mickey Mouse MINI Cooper @ facebook]

Rob Collard Gets To Drive A MINI ALL4 Racing MINI

U.K.'s Autocar gave rally driver Rob Collard an opportunity to drive one of the X-raid Team's MINI ALL4 Racing MINIs and write about it. Collard, a BTCC contestant in an eBay Motors BMW M125i Sport, writes, in part, about the experience:
. . . It is amazing when you come over some of those dunes and drop down into very fine sand, which is like sinking into a swamp. You get back on the power and although the car is at very low revs, all of a sudden it just pulls. You don’t even have to go down through the gears because it powers out of those situations with that incredible torque. . . .

MINI Envsions The Future Of Travel At London Design Festival

A MotoringFile article highlights MINI's exhibition on the future of travel to be displayed at the London Design Festival September 18-21, 2014. MINI came up with six concepts for the event:
The six concepts comprising the exhibit include biological cars, augmented reality, vacuum-packing bodies for space travel, new design afforded by autonomous vehicles, a reimagined bobblehead, and 3D environmental scanning while driving.

Car And Driver's Long-Term Review Of The 2014 MCS Hardtop

Car and Driver reviews the 2014 MINI Cooper S hardtop and concludes, after "long term" use:
So far we’ve noticed that the maxi Mini is less of a toy than its predecessors and more of a grown-up car. The steering is still hyper-reactive compared with most cars’, but the ride has mellowed out, at least over the milder bumps, and the Cooper’s road presence feels more substantial. We’re still learning the new ergonomics, but things such as conventionally placed window switches and the new giant super knob for the infotainment unit are helping. All the connectivity options and ease of use are already garnering praise from those who like to stream music from their phones.

What's In Your MINI?

MINI Space asks the question of MINI Motorers around the upworld and gets responses, including this tuba from Monika Hatlevoll of Norway.

New York Times Review Of 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop

Laurence Ulrich reviews the 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop for the New York Times. Ulrich concludes it may not be the best in its class, but, it is a "fair deal" for a "baby BMW."

Top Ten Grid Girls Of 2014

And this "Monster Angel" is only Number 4 in Motorsport.com's Top 10 Grid Girls Of 2014 article.

Ford Fiesta Ecoboost Pitted Against MINI Cooper

Canadian website autofocus provides a thorough comparison and ultimately gives the nod to the MINI:
If good things come in threes, then this is surely the first of a series of podium finishes for the Cooper. Despite getting larger and cushier, it’s maintained some of its character thanks in no small part to its odd little engine. It’s a turbocharged triumph, and you have to love it.

The Fiesta is fun too, but more of an experiment, better to drive than the basic car, but at an added cost and no choice in transmissions. It’s a good effort, but doesn’t feel like Ford’s small-car plan is built around it yet.
 However, as three-cylinder turbos become more common on the roads, it’s cars like these that are leading the way. The Fiesta tries to make the three-banger pragmatic. The Mini succeeds in making it pretty darn fun

MINI Celebrates Its 55th Birthday

MINI celebrates its fifty five years of cars with this BMW Group PressClub USA press release.

MINI Discloses Its 2015 And 2016 Releases

MotoringFile says you can expect the new Five Door Hatch, JCW Hatch, Clubman and Convertible in 2015 and 2016, and says when and what to expect from each vehicle.  It also speculates on potential additions and changes in 2017 and 2018.

Rob Smith Captures His First MINI Victory At Silverstone

Pirelli-backed driver Rob Smith claimed victory in the MINI Challenge Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday, August 18, 2014, according to shropshirelive.com.

"A Passengers Guide To The MINI Countryman"



[Source: via AOTW]

MINI USA Offers Summer Safe Driving Tips

In a press release carried by Digital Journal MINI USA touts the Miles Ahead driving skills school held at Indianapolis Speedway and offers these summer safe driving tips:

  1. Obey the speed limit – Driving too fast significantly increases your chances of getting into an accident.
  2. Maintain a safe following distance – Always leave enough space to stop should the car in front of you suddenly brake.
  3. Anticipate by looking ahead – Looking ahead in traffic can help you be ready to respond to potential hazards. Always try to look 10 seconds ahead.
  4. Turn your cell phone off – There is no reason to be talking or texting while driving. Your attention should be 100 percent on the road.
  5. Drive a safe car – Make sure you are driving a safe car. Keep up on your maintenance, including checking your tire pressure.

Ready For A 300 Horsepower MINI?

MotoringFile says it possible within the next couple of years and explains how and why.

MINI USA Debriefs MINI Takes The States 2014

Now that the 2014 version of MTTS is over BMW Group PressClub USA carries a press release that recounts the event that includes this remark:
Throughout the 14-day adventure, MINI owners were treated to “surprise & delight” pit stops, as well as “rise & shine” morning events and evening gatherings. In typical MINI fashion, most of the group took the roads less traveled for the cross-country trek, including America’s Loneliest Highway in Nevada and the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. A small group of MINI USA team members and owners even crossed the border into Canada to meet up with MINI Invasion participants rallying in Canada.  
From a high-flying kickoff by Tony Hawk in San Francisco to a Canadian Invasion in Buffalo and a Boston Tea Party in Massachusetts, the road trip allowed for MINI owners to build relationships with their community and almost the entire MINI USA organization.

2015 MINI US Deliveries Being Delayed By EPA Certification

According to MotoringFile:
Due to the EPA certification of 2015 F56 models, MINI USA is targeting 10/1 as the deliver date for model year ’15 F56 MINIs.

2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop "A Must-Have Vehicle"

Those are the sentiments of Scott Sturgis in his review of a base model 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sturgis explains:
If that improved reliability score holds for a few years, the Mini will go on my short list of must-haves. But I’ll take a convertible, please.

Little Kids In The UK Can Learn To Drive MINIs!

MotoringFile highlights the YoungDrive! program that:
. . . offers children as young as 11 years old (and a minimum of 4 feet 8 inches tall) the chance to have their first taste of motoring. It’s intended to allow eager pre-teens the opportunity to experience driving in a safe and controlled environment.
MINI has given the program 11 2014 MINI Cooper D Hatchbacks.

MINI Cooper S Versus Go-Kart



[Source: via Crank and Piston]

A Quick Spin In 2014 MINI Cooper S For Australia's Drive

Andrew Maclean provides a review of the 2014 MINI Cooper S for Australia's Drive.com.au. Maclean finds:
Its a little firecracker when you want it to be, with its 2.0-litre turbo charged engine pumping out 147kW of power to give it a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds. But, with all of its 280Nm available from just 1250rpm, it also feels immediately responsive, especially in its Sport mode where it introduces a more noticeable turbo whistle under acceleration and a burble from the exhaust when you back off.

Four MINI ALL4 Racing To Race In Hungary

After a top four place sweep at Bar Aragon,the Monster Energy X-raid Team and Team X-raid now are going to contest the Hungarian Baja. The pairings: Orlando Terranova (ARG) / Bernardo Ronaldo Graue (ARG) and Krzysztof Holowczyc (POL) / Moi Torrallardona (ESP). With the Russians Vladimir Vasilyev / Konstantin Zhiltsov and the pairing Aidyn Rakhimbayev (KAZ) / Anton Nicolaev (RUS) two more MINI ALL4 Racing will be at the start. Read more at
RallyRaid.net.

Korea Gets A MINI Diesel Before The U.S. Gets One

According to the Korea I.T. Times MINI is releasing the MINI D and MINI D High, an upscale MINI Diesel, in South Korea. MINI has yet to release a diesel in the U.S.

The MINI Businessman Concept

Designed by Students at the Institute Supérieur de Design Valenciennes in France as their concept for the next generation MINI.


MINI BUSINESSMAN CONCEPT. from MINI BUSINESSMAN on Vimeo.

INAUTONEWS Summarizes MTTS 2014

As MINI Takes The States 2014 approached its final destination of Boston, Mass., INAUTONEWS provided this short summary of the event.

A MINI Road Trip Through Ireland



[Source: via Her.ie]

MINIs Get Resident App To Help Find Parking Spaces

The app Just Park is the first parking application to be built into a new vehicle. According to Telematics News:
BMW said it’s putting JustPark into its connected Mini cars in the UK and plans to do the same for its whole range later this year. The German car manufacturer put £250,000 into JustPark in 2011, when the app was known as ParkatmyHouse.

JustPark is all about privately owned parking spaces whose owners want to make them available. In the UK, where London-based JustPark has so far focused its efforts, it already has 20,000 locations ranging from schools and churches to private driveways and commercial carparks, with 100,000 spots on offer.
The app will first be available in the UK with plans to introduce at a later time in Canada, Australia and the U.S.

South Africa's RPM TV Looks At The 2014 MINI Cooper S



[Source: RPM TV Online @ YouTube]

F56 MINI Vs. Citroen DS3 Vs. VW Beetle On Driven



[Source: via Paul Tan's Automotive News]

Poplar Bluff, MO Celebrates MTTS 2014 Visit

The Semo Times recounts the arrival of MINI Takes The States 2014 and the festivities that occurred in Poplar Bluff, MO.

MTTS 2014: Chicago To Cleveland








Craig Cole, in an AutoGuide.com article, recounts in photos his MINI Takes The States 2014 journey from Chicago to Cleveland.

Testing Completed On Jet Powered Cooper

Mab01uk @ North American Motoring.com posted this article:
Andrew Pleszko's new jet MINI Cooper was recently spotted preparing for its public debut at Mini in the Park by taking part in a ‘Test & Tune’ day behind closed doors at Santa Pod Raceway.

Jet engine expert Andrew and his crew fitted the car with monitoring equipment as it successfully completed a controlled run on the famous quarter mile dragstrip. The Rolls-Royce Viper 203 engine will now be tweaked to add the crowd-pleasing trademark giant flame and vapour trail.

The Viper jet engine produces a massive 2,800lbs of thrust – enough to make the car capable of vertical take-off if it was stood on its end!

Andrew added: “We only ran the car up to 85 per cent throttle briefly as we were calibrating equipment and measuring temperatures. Everything performed fine and the car feels capable of achieving some serious speeds in time for Mini in the Park in the UK.”

Mini in the Park takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on Sunday 10th August. For details see www.minishow.co.uk

MINI's July 2014 Sales Down But Not Out

While MINI sales remain down over 20% for the year, this July's MINI sales were only down 2.3% over last year.

MINI believes that the F56 is finally making it to dealers whose inventory of MINI vehicle was seriously depleted. However,   MotoringFile points out that R series vehicle sales have plunged off a cliff.

NetCarShow Looks At The 2015 MINI Paceman JCW

NetCarShow.com looks at the 2015 MINI Paceman John Cooper Works and writes, in part:
The suspension technology of the MINI Paceman is of exceptionally high quality for the compact segment and in conjunction with its powerful engines contributes to the car's impressive agility. Unmistakable go-kart feeling is guaranteed by the combination of McPherson spring struts and forged wishbones on the front axle, a multilink rear axle and electromechanical power steering including Steptronic as well as the specific set-up of the standard sports suspension.

Buffalo Riverworks Readies For 8/7 MTTS Influx

Buffalo Rising highlights what is in store for MINI Takes The States 2014 Motorers on August 7 when they reach Buffalo, New York.

Anticipating MTTS 2014 Run Through Lorain

The Morning Journal excitedly writes about MINI Takes The States as it anticipates up to 1,000 MINIs will come through Lorain, OH on August 6, 2014.


Though It's One Third Over You Can Still Join MTTS 2014

MotoringFile discusses MINI Takes The States 2014 and, although now one third of the rally is over, how you can still participate.