Mini Reviews, Analysis and Opinions - Autolust

Opinion: Nissan Doubles Warranty on CVTs Due to Mechanical Failures

18 Nov 2009 02:49:51 PST

Written by Gabe
At this point MINI hasn’t acknowledged the issue and it’s not clear that they will ever do so. However if you’ve had your CVT fail on your R50 MINI, make sure you’re voice is heard both at your local dealer and at MINI USA corporate. BMW has a history of eventually taking care of large scale issue...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: MINI Admits Issues with MINI E Program

16 Nov 2009 02:44:02 PST

Written by Gabe
There is little question that the MINI E field trial was a bold move for BMW. It was designed to give the automaker valuable data and feedback on a large scale roll-out of electric cars among other things. It also placed BMW in the electronic infrastructure business – something that was expec...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: Worldwide MINI Sales Up 9.5% for September

07 Oct 2009 07:09:44 PDT

Written by Gabe
Official Release: Global deliveries of the MINI brand climbed 9.5% to 24,759 units (prev. yr. 22,619) in the month under review. In particular, the new MINI Convertible (3,870 units / +232.2%) launched in late March and the MINI One, available in Hatch and Clubman versions (5,534 units / +60.4...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: World Debut: The MINI Coupé Concept

26 Aug 2009 08:00:21 PDT

Written by Gabe
This two-seater is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the MINI – and with the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works, the MINI Coupé Concept offers truly outstanding performance. Maximum out...

Original story at MotoringFile . Related stories include: MINI at the Frankfurt IAA Motorshow - MotoringFile , BMW Releases 1st Glimpse into Project i - MotoringFile , Mini Reveals Crossover Concept, Takes Brand Off-Road For First Time - Jalopnik

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Opinion: MINI USA Releases Clubman JCW Tuning Kit

19 Aug 2009 07:11:39 PDT

Written by Gabe
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 throughou...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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MF Reader Review: Mini Do More Clubman Trailer Hitch

09 Aug 2009 17:24:04 PDT

Written by Gabe
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. I heartily recommend the Mini Do More hitch to all potential...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: Mini E Driver Reports on First Thousand Electric Miles

08 Jul 2009 11:43:55 PDT

Written by Stephen Markley
Lyle Dennis, editor in chief of the website AllCarsElectric.com, recently posted a review of his first 1,000 miles driving the Mini E all-electric prototype. After three weeks of driving the Mini E exclusively on his 26-mile commute, which blends mostly... Lyle Dennis, editor in chief of th...

Original story at KickingTires .

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Clarkson Reviews the New MINI Convertible

16 Jun 2009 17:54:31 PDT

Written by Gabe
MINI Cooper S Convertible / Times And we’re going to let the man speak for himself… visibility when the roof is up is woeful. It’s like sitting in a postbox. The only people who can get in the back are those who have stepped on a bomb and the boot is miserable. And yet, despite all this, [...]

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: MINI Fares Poorly in Low Speed Crash Test

11 Jun 2009 08:22:40 PDT

Written by Gabe
According to the IIHS you’ll want to be extra careful to avoid low speed accidents if your a MINI driver. A recent study gave the car a “poor” grade in low speed impacts due to the repair costs. Here’s an excerpt from their report: Pricey styling decisions: The Mini Cooper is the only car [...]

Original story at MotoringFile .

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MF Review: 2004 BMW 3 Series ZHP

11 May 2009 07:20:13 PDT

Written by Gabe
And I have a red BMW parked in my garage. Yes the MINI is gone and I’m back to rear wheel drive with a propeller on the hood. I wouldn’t call the car “just” a BMW, yet it doesn’t quite justify a real M badge (despite the peppering of that letter throughout the car by the company). It’s not single purpo...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Audi Q5 3.0 TDI Mini Review

06 May 2009 02:37:41 PDT

South Africa Breakaway from everyday traffic jams, however, and this SUV becomes an even more impressive driving tool thanks to its sublime dynamics and that punchy TDI engine nestling under the bonnet. A lot of vehicles in this class feel a little soft and ...

Original story at The Times .

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Opinion: Selling My MINI & the Search For the Next Car (Part Two)

01 Apr 2009 05:43:20 PDT

Written by Gabe
From my sources here’s how it all started. BMW USA went back to BMW AG in Munch and said we need something, anything that we can offer our enthusiast owners who want a four door M3. So BMW AG finally relented and handed off the project to BMW Individual to head-up. They then went out to Alpina who do...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: Happy 7th Birthday MINI USA

23 Mar 2009 06:19:41 PDT

Written by Gabe
Five years ago on March 22nd 2002 the first MINI dealers in the US opened their doors. While this may be US specific I think the enthusiasm of that time translates well to any market and any language. Personally I vividly remember showing up at the local MINI dealer that morning in an effort to g...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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MF Review: 2009 MINI Convertible Cooper S

16 Mar 2009 07:39:34 PDT

Written by Gabe
All of this doesn’t come cheap. The Cooper and Cooper S versions list at $24,550 and $27,450 respectively. The JCW convertible (on sale in the US in April) retails for a staggering $34,950. Yes that’s about $1,000 from a BMW 135i coupe and not far from the BMW 128i convertible. While the MINI con...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: Brisbane Mini Garage zooms off with national prize… again

06 Mar 2009 03:16:56 PST

Australia Brisbane Mini Garage has zoomed off with the MINI Dealer Excellence Award for the second year in a row, while Brisbane BMW was named one of the top four BMW dealerships nationwide for customer service. The Brisbane Mini Garage picked up the prestigious ...

Original story at qbr.com.au .

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Opinion: JCW Re-imagined: Our Take on the JCW

06 Jan 2009 16:26:25 PST

Written by Gabe
We’d stick with the 17″ JCW wheels as standard but would add an 18″ wheel as an option much like BMW has an optional 19″ wheel for the M3. This is a great money maker for BMW and gives consumers (theoretically) a cheaper way to get 18″s since they’d be available from the factory.

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: Rumor: New Mac Minis Dressed in Sexy Aluminum

31 Dec 2008 09:54:03 PST

Insiders are leaking details about Apple's rumored Mac Mini, confirming Wired.com's earlier predictions about the device. The Unofficial Apple Weblog cites ... Rumor: new Mac Minis at Macworld Desktop Review More versatile Mac mini expected at Macworld Apple Insider

Original story at Wired News .

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MF Review: JCW Stage I vs Stage II

17 Nov 2008 05:00:48 PST

Written by Gabe
JCW Stage II Gallery Unlike the previous Cooper S, MINI has taken a two prong approach to developing a faster MINI or the R56 MCS. First out of the gates was the JCW “Engine Kit” which debuted in July of 2007. The kit developed 192 bhp and had 201 ft lbs of torque for an MSRP price of [...]

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: MINI E Creators Interviewed

14 Nov 2008 08:35:55 PST

Written by Gabe
MINIInternational: Will the MINI E retain that typical MINI agility, the renowned go-kart feeling? Ok it’s a little odd to read someone from MINI interviewing someone else from MINI but it’s definitely worth a click. MINI E Creators Interviewed / MINI International Full Gallery

Original story at MotoringFile .

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MF Review: Factory JCW Coupe

12 Nov 2008 06:00:01 PST

Written by Gabe
So that sets the stage. This new factory JCW MINI is the fastest MINI ever made. But is it the best? First let’s look at what BMW did right with this car - the engine. MINI has gone to great pains to compare JCW as a brand to the famed M division under the BMW brand. But you’ll notice that never once do th...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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MF Review: Factory JCW Coupe

12 Nov 2008 06:00:01 PST

Written by Gabe
The factory JCW MINI is a dichotomy of character. On one hand (in stock form) it’s as comfortable over bumps and on the highway as any MINI that’s ever been produced. Yet on the other hand it’s the fastest and most raucous MINI ever. It’s obvious that BMW tried to create this car to be [...]

Original story at MotoringFile .

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2008 MINI Crossover Concept Review

08 Nov 2008 00:02:53 PST

- The German brand has ventured into various SUV/crossover markets on one side of the auto sector and subcompact models not much larger than the MINI on the ...

Original story at Automobile.com .

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Jalopnik Interns Review the Clubman

30 Oct 2008 06:49:51 PDT

Written by DB
One of the more interestingly written reviews I’ve seen in a while. This time, buy a few of the interns at Jalopnik.com, who didn’t really care for the ‘09 Clubman with automatic transmission. One of the more interestingly written reviews I’ve seen in a while. This time, buy a few of the interns...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: Motive Pits the JCW Against… Everything

27 Oct 2008 10:37:11 PDT

Written by Gabe
The key to the Mini’s lively personality is its ability to do more with less. The retuned Cooper S 1.6-liter under the hood makes an extra 36 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque, but at 208 and 192, respectively, those are easily the lowest figures among these cars. Yet look at the track results, and you’ll...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Opinion: Audi A1 Sportback Concept Officially Powered By 1.4-Liter TSI Hybrid

02 Oct 2008 00:28:48 PDT

Written by Wes Siler
Exterior Audi mobile device – the second generation Characteristic Audi sportiness plus a whole new dimension in efficiency – it is all down to the combination of a state-of-the-art turbocharged FSI engine with an electric motor and innovative control electronics.

Original story at Jalopnik .

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