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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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MINI E vs the MINI D – Which Would You Rather See in the US?

16 Nov 2009 16:25:17 PST

Written by Gabe
It appears that not only has the MINI Cooper D (in hatch form) been shelved for the US market, but it would now seem the a diesel Countryman has been as well. Costs are the big issue but beyond that BMW just doesn’t believe MINI USA could sell enough of the diesel powered MINIs to make up for the fe...

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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Global MINI Sales Up 11% for October

08 Nov 2009 20:06:34 PST

Written by Gabe
Official Release: The continued popularity of the MINI and the variety of different models available ensured that sales volumes were up 11.1% for the premium compact car brand (19,323 deliveries/prev.yr. 17,386). The MINI Convertible again performed extremely well and, with 2,172 sale...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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MINI Celebrates The Opening of New Seattle Dealer

05 Nov 2009 21:25:47 PST

Written by Gabe
Seattle MINI is owned by Manfred Scharmach, who has been part of the MINI and BMW family for years. He also owns two additional BMW Group sales outlets in Washington, Northwest MINI and BMW Northwest. The dealership is located at 11550 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125-5328.

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Plug-ins, the Electric Grid and You, Part II

03 Nov 2009 17:19:26 PST

Written by Joe Wiesenfelder
Conventional hybrids should be a similar story when they gain the capacity for plug-in charging. Hymotion's L5 module is a conversion that’s already available for the second-generation Prius (2004-09). At 5 kwh, its battery is smaller than the Volt's, and it recharges in 5.5 hours on a 120...

Original story at Cars.com .

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Mini news and blogs - November 23, 2009

23 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PDT

Below is today's roundup of news and blogs that haven't yet hit top story status by our community. Visit Mini news and blogs for even more news and blogs converage.

• MINI USA VP on the Premium Market, the Countryman Delay & New US Dealers -- by Gabe from MotoringFile
• What Are IIHS Least Safe Cars? -- by Stephen Markley from KickingTires
• Rolls Royce MINI Confirmed? -- by Gabe from MotoringFile
• MINI USA Shelves Plans for a Countryman Diesel? -- by Gabe from MotoringFile
• MINI Countryman Update: Five Seats & Four Doors -- by Gabe from MotoringFile
• MF Exclusive: MINI USA Delays Countryman for US Market -- by Gabe from MotoringFile
• MotoringFile Does the 24 Hours of LeMons -- by Gabe from MotoringFile
• JCW GP Rips it Up at the ‘Ring -- by Gabe from MotoringFile
• MINI MEETS KRINK -- from German Car Scene
• Plug-ins, the Electric Grid and You, Part II -- by Joe Wiesenfelder from KickingTires

See complete Mini news, blog, video, and photo coverage at Autolust.

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 .

View our complete collection of news and blogs, plus related videos, photos and more at Autolust: Mini news and blogs, plus related videos, photos and more.

2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman

01 Oct 2009 01:10:00 PDT

The Mini Cooper Clubman is the epitome of a niche vehicle.The Mini Cooper Clubman is the epitome of a niche vehicle. As such, it's a car that works for some but will leave many people cold. For my part, I think it's pretty cool, but I'd have to think long and hard before I made it my primary vehicle. O...

Original story at Automobile Magazine .

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First Generation MINI Oil Leaks & Checking Your Oil (Updated w/more Info)

28 Sep 2009 22:15:45 PDT

Written by Gabe
I own an R50/R52/R53, What Should I Do? For starters go check your oil… now. If it’s not low, make a mental note of the date (or better yet write it down) and be sure to check it again once a week (to see how to do this, you can watch DB’s demonstration below). If your oil is low head down to your MINI de...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Podcast: White Roof Radio #306

16 Sep 2009 22:00:12 PDT

Written by DB
After news from MotoringFile like we like to do, we talk engine failures and then move on to tires for the GP among other things. Classic WRR here gang. Just Gabe, Todd and I talkin’ about MINI stuff and mullets just like the good old days.

Original story at MotoringFile .

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2009 FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Mini embraces quirks

14 Sep 2009 22:09:41 PDT

Hours before the Mini Coupe Concept is unveiled at the Frankfurt show, Hildebrand expounds on the Mini design philosophy and is asked about other carmakers, such as Fiat with its new 500, trying to capture some of the Mini magic. â€œBeing copied is the biggest honor,â€� he responds, â€œbu...

Original story at Automobile Magazine .

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Podcast: White Roof Radio #305

07 Sep 2009 22:00:10 PDT

Written by DB
Then into another edition of Ask Chad! Great questions that produced some great answers! If you are looking for the R56 Cooper intake (or R55 or R57 Cooper), click the image above to go straight to Detroit Tuned to put your name on the list. Woofcast 305: Woofcast 305:

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Podcast: White Roof Radio #301

03 Aug 2009 23:03:13 PDT

Written by DB
After news, Chad lays down some tips to help keep your MINI running well and performing some of your own DIY installs like brakes. This brought up the idea for a possible new segment on the show called Ask Chad, where he answers your questions. What say you? Leave a comment below.

Original story at MotoringFile .

View our complete collection of news and blogs, plus related videos, photos and more at Autolust: Mini news and blogs, plus related videos, photos and more.

Austin Mini, Infiniti G20, Plymouth Duster To Compete At Buttonwillow Histrionics [24 Hours Of Lemons]

18 Jul 2009 10:30:00 PDT

Written by Murilee Martin
San Diego Minis aka Team Bean • 1962 Austin Mini Bassackward Racing 2002 WMB • 1976 BMW 2002 Formula BMW • 1986 BMW 325e Red Rhino Racing • 1986 Mazda RX-7 Team 60 Racing • 1987 Saab 900 Heisenberg Racing • 1991 BMW 318iS bubb rubb racing • 1991 BMW 535i Revenge of the Nerds Racing

Original story at Jalopnik .

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Podcast: White Roof Radio #297, Part 1

15 Jun 2009 20:05:25 PDT

Written by DB
The Woofcast is back! So much in fact that we had to split it into 2 parts this week. Starting off tonight, Todd and Gabe spend some time getting caught up, including Gabe’s latest BMW press cars. Of course, this is the MINI Cooper Podcast, so they finished off talking about news [...]

Original story at MotoringFile .

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Podcast: MINI United 2009: Dr. Armbrecht Interview

11 Jun 2009 20:00:05 PDT

Written by DB
Of course, it wouldn’t be a MINI United unless we got the chance to talk to the main man in charge, Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, Senior Vice President of Brand Management at MINI. He gives us the lowdown on the latest MINI updates. Or, as much as he could. Pay special attention to the part about the Cros...

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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Podcast: MINI United 2009: Udo Mark Interview

02 Jun 2009 06:10:57 PDT

Written by Todd
At MIN United Todd got the opportunity to catch up with Udo Mark, the technical coordinator of the MINI Challenge world-wide. Details on the Challenge car set ups, rules and differences between the street legal JCW and the JCW Challenge car are discussed. Stay tuned for even more audio from...

Original story at MotoringFile .

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2009 Mini Cooper Convertible Review - Autochannel

24 May 2009 11:08:20 PDT

press release) 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible Review press release) Mini size, maxi fun, now add sun... The second-generation Mini Convertible provides all of the spirited driving experience of its hardtop siblings, and all of the good fuel economy, plus fresh air and sunshine on demand. ...

Original story at Autochannel .

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MINI 50 Mayfair, Camden Launch With "Mission Control" [New Cars]

21 May 2009 21:30:00 PDT

Written by The Auto Insider
Six-speed automatic transmission together with shift paddles on the steering wheel are available as an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard. The optional Sports Button varying the control maps of the gas pedal and the steering as well as, where fitted, the s...

Original story at Jalopnik . Related stories include: Mayfair and Camden Details - MotoringFile , World Debut: MINI 50 Mayfair & MINI 50 Camden (w/Full Gallery) - MotoringFile and ... wot.motortrend.com , iCars Singapore

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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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French strike

20 Mar 2009 03:26:00 PDT

Yesterday was a curious day - I was in Pau, France, with BMW/Mini (Mini Convertible UK press launch). We got the chance to take the John Cooper Works performance version of the car around the Pau race circuit, which was - as you'd expect - a lot of fun. And the weather played ball, too.

Original story at just-auto.com .

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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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How to close your ZippeeShade

07 Mar 2009 21:49:43 PST

Written by rss@youtube.com (ZippeeGear)
This is a detailed tutorial of how to close your ZippeeShade Mini... Author: ZippeeGear Keywords: Mini Cooper Mini Clubman R50 R53 R55 R56 JCW Sunroof Mini Mania Moss Mini Added: March 7, 2009

Original story at YouTube .

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Sneak Peek: Mini E Electric Car

26 Oct 2008 23:00:00 PDT

Written by info.rss@cro.consumer.org (Consumer Reports)
The Mini E uses a 204-horsepower direct-current electric motor and a single-speed gearbox. Torque is rated at 162 lb.-ft. Mini claims the Mini E will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, notably quicker than the base Mini Cooper we recently tested.

Original story at Consumer Reports .

View our complete collection of news and blogs, plus related videos, photos and more at Autolust: Mini.