Oxygen Blue Finally Appears

MINI UK just updated its website to include the new MINI One and MINI Cooper D models to the configurator. But the biggest surprise was that the elusive Oxygen Blue is finally shown. Oxygen Blue is a MINI One, MINI Cooper, and MINI Cooper D (all hardtops) color only. It is non-metallic and doesn’t cost extra. You can see how the color looks (at least online) in the images below:

2007 MINI Cooper D in Oxygen Blue 2007 MINI Cooper D in Oxygen Blue / White 2007 MINI Cooper D in Oxygen Blue / Black

MyMini Dyno Day – Part 1

On January 20, 2007, MotoringFun.com sponsor, MyMini, hosted a “Winter Dyno Day” in South Florida. Granted, most will not consider 68 degrees winter weather, but I’ll take it! We had approximately 15 MINIs come out for this event, inlcluding my own 2006 MINI Cooper S, known as “Scooter”. I had been eagerly anticipating this dyno day for a few months as I wanted to get a baseline dyno reading on my car in stock configuration before the modifications began. The modifications that are planned are not extreme by any means, however, before I started upgrading parts I wanted to see what our friends from Oxford gave me.
Continue reading MyMini Dyno Day – Part 1

MCS vs. VW GTI vs. Volvo C30 T5

Winding Road Issue 18 for March 2007 has a lengthy article comparing the 2007 MINI Cooper S with the Volkswagen GTI and the Volvo C30 T5. While they discuss the good and bad attributes of each car, they don’t declare a winner. Things they like in the MINI: the light weight, wider powerband, interior (mostly), seat position, steering, Web-Spoke wheels, and its “flick-ability”. Things they dislike: rear seat space, remote mirror adjustment knob placement, thin interior plastic, and straight-line speed.

Register your email address for a free three-year “subscription” and download the article at Winding Road.

Winding Road - Gleesome Threesome

New MotoringFun.com Sponsor

A big thanks to our newest sponsor – ALTA MINI Performance. The ALTA Performance Group has been a pioneer in the performance aftermarket since its inception more than 10 years ago. Using the finest materials and labor found in the United States, customers are assured that ALTAĆ“ stands for quality and value. ALTA customer service, sales and technical staff is always available to help with questions. From live instant chat messaging on the website, to e-mail or phone, ALTA takes pride in the level of customer service that is provided that is simply not found elsewhere in the aftermarket today.

Please support our sponsors by clicking on their links and letting them know you appreciate their support of MotoringFun.com!

North American MINI Cooper Championship Signs New Official Sponsor

Nashville, TN: The North American MINI Cooper Championship (NAMCC) is pleased to announce that ALTA MINI Performance has signed as an “official” sponsor of the second-season series. The 2007 NAMCC gets under way on March 23rd at Spring Mount Motorsports in Pahrump, NV. The 2007 season features both east coast and west coast races.

North American MINI Challenge ALTA MINI PERFORMANCE


“I’m very excited and happy to make this announcement,” said series organizer Phil Wicks. “The NAMCC is moving forward for its sophomore season with more races, better organization and new sponsors coming on board. I think that it is representative of the growing interest in our grass-roots series.”
Continue reading North American MINI Cooper Championship Signs New Official Sponsor

Phil Wicks Chat – Wednesday 9pm EST

Wednesday night (1/24/2007) at 9pm EST / 6pm PST, we will host our 3rd Motoring Fun MINI Club Virtual Meet with special guest, Phil Wicks! Join us in the Motoring Fun Chatroom to find out what Phil has been up to as well as the latest on the North American MINI Challenge. We will also have a general question and answer session. Make sure to post your questions in the comments section like last time so that we can have a somewhat orderly event ;). Hope to see you there!

[ Motoring Fun Chatroom ]

Murmini.com Tech Feature : OBD Part 1

Our good friend Murray from murmini.com has posted yet another great and informative technical article – this time on On-Board Diagnostics (OBD). If you want to learn about the history of OBD, this is a great place to start. Murray does a great job transitioning from history lesson to MINI-applicable details. From coolant sensors to knock sensors and at least six more in between, this is a fabulous read that I highly recommend!

[ OBD Part 1 @ murmini.com ]