Category Archives: MINI Products

MINI Press, MINI Products, Modern MINI

MINI USA Officially Announces the 2009 MINI Convertible

MINI USA officially announced the 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible (aka R57). Gone is the Tritec cabrio, replaced with the same engine technology and body style as the R56. For those who have been waiting for the new cabrio body, orders are being taken now. If you want to grab one of the last original-bodied cabrios (or maybe want to snatch up one of the last supercharged MINIs), I hear there are a few left on dealer lots so grab them while you can.

2009 MINI Cooper Convertible

MINI USA Press: The driving pleasure and individual style that are MINIís signatures have been tapped to create the next-generation MINI Convertible. With its evolutionary design and increased functionality, specially tuned suspension, powerful, efficient engines and enhanced safety technology, the latest version of the four-seat convertible raises the bar.

Continue reading MINI USA Officially Announces the 2009 MINI Convertible →

MINI Products, Modern MINI

Wheel Cleaning: When Soap and Water Just Won’t Do

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As many of you know, I am a bit meticulous when it comes to keeping my car clean. Dirty wheels, especially, bug me. Usually I am able to wipe away brake dust and dirt with just soap and water. However, if you have ever used a race brake pad before, you know how bad dust can cake onto a wheel, making it impossible to clean with just soap and water. For the record, I do not use race pads on the street for any long period of time. They pretty much stay on the car just long enough to get me to and from the track. When at the track, my street wheels come off and my track wheels go on so, exposure is limited to the harsh dust that is generated.

Wurth Wheel Cleaner

Still, the short time that my street wheels are exposed to dust from my Hawk HT-10’s, is enough to cause me to scrub the heck out of my wheels to get them clean. To make matters worse, if you let the dust sit on the wheels for longer than a week, you are in for quote a job.
Continue reading Wheel Cleaning: When Soap and Water Just Won’t Do →

MINI Products, Modern MINI

Recall: 2009 JCW Brake Issue

Apparently there is a safety recall involving the 2009 JCW MINIs, including the JCW Clubman regarding the front brakes. Apparently brake performance may be degraded under certain conditions (and I don’t think they mean track weekend brake fade ;)). If you have one of these cars, get it checked out ASAP. Here is a copy of the actual recall:

JCW Brake Recall

Make / Models : MINI / JCW & MINI / JCW CLUBMAN

Model/Build Years: 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V507000

Component:
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 560

Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING 560 MY 2009 JCW (JOHN COOPER WORKS) AND JCW CLUBMAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH DIAMETER FRONT BRAKE DISCS RATHER THAN 17 INCH DISCS. UNDER CONDITIONS OF INTENSE BRAKE USAGE, BRAKING PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.

Consequence:
DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS A DRIVER’S REACTIONS, REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND PADS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW/MINI AT 1-866-275-6464 OR BY E-MAIL AT MINI.ASSISTANCE@ASKMINIUSA.COM..

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[ Recall Document Download ]

MINI Products

MC2 Magazine Special Offer

MC2 Magazine Here is something you may be interested in for yourself or a MINIac you may know. Our friends at MC2 Magazine are offering a special of 6 issues for $19.95 for anyone in the US. Also, if you select the standard $24.95 paid subscription for US addresses, they will send you, free of charge, the “Motoring” book by Gary Anderson and Don Racine in addition to the 6-issue subscription of the magazine. The book will be mailed in early October.

This is a limited time and quantity offer that should last through September, 2008. Please note, this offer is not available through their 800# or mail-in personal checks, only via the link below:

[ Subscribe To MC2Magazine ]

Audio & Video, MINI Products, Modern MINI

Video: ALTA’s Garage Sale 8/9/08

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This Saturday (8/9/08) from 10am – 4pm, ALTA will be having a garage sale in conjunction with a free BBQ and airshow. So if you are lucky enough to be in the area, make sure to stop by and say hi to our good friends at ALTA MINI Performance. They will be having some huge discounts on some cool products. Also, grab a tissue (you’ll need it, trust me) and watch this hysterical video commerical from the guys at ALTA:

[ More Information ]

MINI Products, Modern MINI

ALTA 4th Of July Sale

Happy 4th of July to you all! To get things kicked off right, check out this sale ALTA has going on right now until July 7th. Take 10% off anything on their website just by using the code “happy4th”. Click the image below to start shopping!

ALTA 4th of July Sale

MINI Performance, MINI Products, Modern MINI, Track Talk

Homestead Track Weekend 2008 Preview

Phew! What a week! I feel like a chicken with my head cut off, running around trying to get stuff done lately. Just glad it is finally pretty much over and I can now relax and head down for a weekend full of fun at the Homestead-Miami Speedway! I like to think of this as the MTTS 2008 preview party! I will be joining the usual suspects down at the track event being put on by PBOC and PCA. I can’t wait to give my new brake pads a run (I have moved up to the Hawk HT-10 compound for some added grip without a BBK). I also recently swapped out my spark plugs for some JCW plugs, thanks to Pete over at Minspeed for offering these to the MINI community for $49 per set. The dealer charges upwards of $55 for ONE plug!!! I’ll let you know how things go when I get back! Enjoy your weekend!

Homestead-Miami Speedway

MINI Products

Moss Motors Relocates and Expands

In case you missed this, looks like Moss Motors is moving to Virginia and expanding to a larger facility. We wish them well in their new location!

Moss Motors’ East Coast distribution facility is moving. Established in 1988, Moss’ Dover, NJ warehouse no longer has sufficient space to expand. Taking into account distribution patterns, cost of living and lifestyle issues, the decision has been made to move distribution to a new facility in Virginia.

The world’s oldest and largest supplier of British sports car restoration and accessory products, is also a fast growing supplier of modern accessories for various Ford, Mazda and BMW Mini models. Company President, Glen Adams, says “By moving to larger quarters, we can better serve our east coast customers, and expand product lines. Product availability will be dramatically improved and overall delivery times reduced. Relocating to Virginia also helps our staff by placing them in a more affordable environment.”

The move will take place in the second half of 2008. Notification will be given before New Jersey ceases operations. However, orders will continue to be processed daily from California as usual. This will mean slightly increased delivery times for east coast customers while the move takes place, but availability will improve, and delivery times drop as the new facility comes on line. Every effort will be made to reduce or eliminate the impact on delivery times.

Located south of Richmond, VA, on 22 acres, the new building offers 112,000 square feet of combined office and warehouse space. The site is already prepared to allow for approximately 100,000 square feet of warehouse expansion. A park like setting makes the new location ideal for marque days and other promotional activities.

[ Moss Motors ]