MINI2

MINI2 member “I Love MINI, Laura” had a nice surprise while on holiday in the Cotswolds. No less than an undisguised (save for Cooper S and MINI badges carefully blanked out!) MINI Clubman pulling up outside where she was dining.

Well, who could resist crawling all over the car and taking a few photographs? Not Laura, and the photos are all on the MINI2 forums (see comments below).

This follows on from a recent mass Clubman sighting reported on the MINI2 forums by Hein who photographed 30 or so of the “Other MINI”, which you can see via the MINI2 forums here.

September is going to be a busy month for MINI Clubman followers on MINI2. In little over a week we’ll be driving the new MINI, ready to report back when the international media embargo is lifted on the 7th September, then we’re off to Frankfurt for the motor show to report on the MINI Clubman and John Cooper Works MINIs, and then we’re off to Scotland later in the month to put a UK spec Clubman or two through its paces.

This is the last time we’ll review a new first generation MINI, and the Sidewalk limited editions are a sort of “final hurrah” from MINI for the Convertible range, a special edition to see it through until it’s replaced by the second generation Convertible.

We doubt they’ve sold too many this summer in the UK though, and not because savvy buyers are holding out for the new more powerful, more economical make over that’s already happened across the rest of the range. No, it’s just been a pretty terrible summer here in Britain, and as I sit here writing this review, rain beating against the window outside, I need no further reminder of the blessed life I live, which was highlighted by a full week of unbroken good weather that coincided perfectly with our time with the MINI Convertible.

The heavens were certainly shining on us during our week with the Sidewalk, and when the sun is out and and you’re driving along, the wind in your hair, the supercharger whining ahead and the exhaust burbling away merrily behind it’s hard to imagine why anyone would want any other MINI than a Cooper S Convertible. It’s only when you get your head back out from the clouds you begin to appreciate the drawbacks and compromises the soft top MINI undoubtedly presents it’s owners.

We’ve reviewed the MINI Convertible many times before, and we really do have a soft spot for the soft top. But it has to be said, when the roof is up, it is dark, it is noisy, and while the handling is brilliant it’s all a bit wobbly compared to the steel topped siblings. So, thank goodness we had a week with the roof down.

What did we learn from our time with the Cooper S? Quite a lot actually. The seats in the Sidewalk certainly divided opinion. My mother-in-law thought they looked great, a co-worker commented they looked like, well, lets not go there, the brownish tone wasn’t a winner with everyone for sure. But to actually sit on them was far from a delight. We’ve never experienced a problem with any MINI seats, until now. Even a relatively short 80 mile round trip left us feeling quite uncomfortable, and even a little sore. Compared to the leather sports seats in our own MINI Cooper S these more “plush” seats didn’t feel right at all, and no amount of adjustment changed that.

As for the rest of the style of the Black Sidewalk? We loved it, from the wheels to the paint finish to the dash, it all fitted together well and looked stunning. The MINI Convertible certainly still proved to be a head turner, which was a real surprise considering how long this car has been about now, and a credit to the MINIs continuing appeal.

The best thing about the Convertible Cooper S though is actually driving the car. Our favourite places quickly became tree lined country lanes, underpasses, bridges and just any enclosed spaces. When entering such places, try as we might the urge to play with the throttle to induce whines, pops and burbles (and accompanying childish grin) was just too much to resist. This car is just one big giggle. Forget the pose factor, the “coolness” of the MINI brand. Hurtling around in the Cooper S Convertible is what motoring is all about. Fun!

So are the sacrifices in boot space, rearward vision, sound deadening and comfort really worth it for the thrill of the open topped open roads? Well, we’ve never been able to justify it, not when sat in the comfort of a warm home considering the pros and cons of a soft top versus a hard top MINI. But if you’re the impulsive type, and you really, really enjoy driving, the the Cooper S Convertible is a great place to spend your time on the roads, and the Sidewalk, with it’s unique trim, upholstery and wheels will no doubt appeal to many. The Cooper S version certainly provides unparalleled aural pleasure for the price. If only the seats weren’t so uncomfortable.

In a review of the Peugeot 207 SW John Simister, writing for the Irish Independent has been heavily critical of the new MINI Clubman and it’s one sided suicide door, or Club Door, dismissing the new Clubman as competition for the Peugeot Estate by stating;

..that car [the MINI Clubman] is already fatally flawed because the side that has two passenger doors is the right-hand side, even on right-hand drive cars. For a car built in the UK, and inspired by a British past, this smacks of breathtaking arrogance.

This follows an apparent recent admission by MINI that the Club door could cost the Clubman fans and buyers due to the decision to fit it only on the driver’s side for RHD markets.

We can’t see this being the last time such criticisms are levelled at MINI parent company BMW, it will be interesting to hear the opinions of the media when MINI2 attends the international Media launch in September, from which we will report back on Friday 7th.  Hold on to your hats folks!

September will see a huge amount of MINI Clubman related activity and reports on MINI2, so if you’re interested in the “Other MINI”, stay tuned!

Early in September MINI2 will be driving the MINI Clubman at the International Media Launch in Spain, and will be reporting on our first hand experiences on MINI2 as soon as the embargo is lifted on the 7th September* (provided it’s not smashed to pieces as seems to be the trend with MINI embargoes of late).

Then, we’re off to Germany for the Frankfurt Motor Show, where the MINI Clubman will be making it’s public début. We’ll be reporting from the press day on 11th September, following the unveiling of the new MINI Clubman at around 11am local time.

Then, as if that’s not enough already, we’re off to Aberdeen later in the month to drive right hand drive UK spec Clubman, and will post further impressions of our experiences as soon as we return from north of the border.

We’re looking forward to it, and we hope you are too!

If there is anything specific you’d like us to focus on during our reviews and reports, please comment on this article with your ideas, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your suggestions.

* Updated from the 8th.

Mini has admitted for the first time that the unusual, and somewhat controversial door layout of the new Mini Clubman may turn off some buyers. That’s according a report published Today on the Autocar website.

A quote from a MINI spokesman states simply that

We accept the design of the Clubman might turn off some people, but we also believe that there are others who will like its unusual design..

MINI expect to sell around the same number of Clubman models each year as they do the MINI Convertible. Full report on the Autocar site.

The new Fiat 500 was launched in July 2007 in Italy to great fanfare and much praise. In almost every review or article on the new Fiat published there was an obvious comparison being drawn, the 500 was viewed as the first serious competition to the MINI in the niche market of premium small cars, with unique and retro styling.

The similarities are there for all to see, both small cars, both reinterpretations of a 1950s icon that change the motoring landscape, particularly in their home markets. Frank Stephenson, designer of the original new MINI oversaw the creation of the new Fiat 500. Both cars are being promoted as thoroughly modern and fashionable. Cars you can truly make your own through an array of factory and dealer fit options. The Fiat 500 sparked a lot of interest on MINI2 and in the MINI community in general. So we thought we’d share our driving impressions of the new baby Fiat.

Recently we arranged an extended test and photo session with an Italian spec Fiat 500 1.4 litre (100 hp) Sport model. Thanks to Motorvogue in Northampton, we took the Fiat out for a spin on some great roads in Northamptonshire, and it gave us a chance to get a real flavour of what the new Fiat 500 is all about. To be perfectly frank, we found the new Bambino a bit of a mixed bag.

The motoring press at large seem to have gone all ga-ga over the new Fiat. Maybe it’s the delightful design of the car that’s caught their imagination, maybe it’s the lavish launch party Fiat arranged in Turin, or maybe it’s the excitement of the MINI having a real challenger to its crown that’s made them all excitable. Mike Rutherford has already said he wouldn’t argue with the new 500 being “Car of the Year”. But while we found many things to like and smile about with the new 500, it wasn’t all rosy in the garden.

One place where Fiat have been very clever, and possibly “got one over” on MINI is their interior design. The new 500 certainly doesn’t have the same air of quality, and hard grey plastic is present in abundance. However, the fit and finish is very good, not a rattle to be heard over the rough British back roads, and almost every where you look and touch things have been done well. The rather uninspiring colours chosen on our test vehicle don’t really do the car justice (inside or out), but the dash, the quirky but very effective speedo console (which contains rev counter, speedo and computer information all in one neat package in front of the driver) and all the main dials have a certain style and appeal to them which provides a halo effect and makes the entire car feel friendly and comfortable from the front seats.

Storage is also good. There is no glove box, although there wasn’t on early MINI models either, but there are cubby holes aplenty, in every nook and cranny there’s a place to store your bits and bobs, and the boot, aided by a lack of complex rear suspension taking up valuable room, puts the MINIs to shame. Although the raked rear end means that by the time you reach the incredibly tiny and rather flimsy parcel shelf there is no depth left to speak of.

The seats are small and thin on the sports model compared to those found in any MINI, but they do offer good levels of support. The driving position though is as different to that in the MINI as night is to day. You sit quite high, and seat adjustment is limited, when you lower the seat base the level at the knees didn’t seem to shift, meaning your bottom sinks but your legs remain a little high. We also didn’t find much room in the footwell for a pair of size eleven feet. They’re by no means uncomfortable, but you have very little of the sporty, low down feel of the MINI seats, even with the sports trim you sit on, rather than in the seats of the new 500.

On the road, the 1.4 litre engine and the chassis of the Fiat 500 performed well. This version, with 100hp is top of the range until the Abarth models are unveiled at the Tokyo motorshow later in 2007, but the fairest comparison is probably the MINI One, rather than the Cooper S, or even the MINI Cooper. Dynamically the little 500 copes well enough with twists and turns, the suspension is quite firm and there’s not too much body roll. But we couldn’t shift the feeling this baby would be eaten alive by a MINI on a slalom course.

The 1.4 litre engine is quite peaky, with a fairly narrow power band. Fiat claim a 0-62 in just over ten and a half seconds, and it certainly isn’t going to be burning up any tarmac, but for spurting around town it’s great, and the six speed gear shift is well positioned and shifts are smooth and slick. The car is very manouverable and looks better in the metal than any photos we’ve seen suggest. Its diminutive size and clever styling give it the look of a roller skate as it darts around bends. The power on offer is closely matched to that of the second generation MINI One, also equipped with a 1.4 16v power plant.

So how seriously should MINI take the competition of the new Fiat 500?

We’ve no confirmed UK pricing, but in Europe it’s smartly priced and in France and Italy in particular it’s selling like hot cakes. Considering the 500 we drove was a top of the line 1.4 16v Sport edition, we can’t see it making too much of a dent on MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S sales from people wanting a small, sporty car that’s as good around town as it is on the bends, but as a city car, and competition for the MINI One we think it could be a serious MINI challenger, and if the Abarth can address some of the performance and dynamic issues then the Cooper, even the Cooper S, could be in for a fight from this feisty little Italian upstart.

The media love the Fiat 500, and it will almost certainly be the next “car to be seen in”, in fact in a recent review Auto Express say it’s worth buying almost on that basis alone, despite being critical of the drive vis-à-vis the new MINI.

The new Fiat 500 is on sale now in Italy and France, and will hit UK showrooms from February 2008. US launch is nothing more than a distant possibility at this stage. For more information on the new Fiat 500, check out our baby sister publication, NF500

MINI have shown official images and released a press statement with details of the 2008 MINI Challenge racer car.

MINI performance is to be taken to new levels with the new MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, a MINI Cooper S built specifically for track use and ready to race. Set for its first public appearance at the forthcoming IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, deliveries of the new car will take place from spring 2008.

Key characteristics of the new car include a higher top speed, increased torque, faster acceleration and optimised traction. Performance figures are detailed below:

MINI CHALLENGE Car: Power: 210 hp, Torque: 260 Nm (280 with Overboost), 0-100 km/h 6.1 seconds, Top Speed: 149 mph

Power enhancements are at the core of the striking CHALLENGE car’s modifications. As well as a re-developed twin-scroll turbocharger, the standard MINI Cooper S engine receives modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust components, electronic sensors and engine management system.

Numerous chassis and suspension tweaks add to what is a finely-tuned racing package. The new suspension system features adjustable damper units from KW Automotive, designed specifically for motorsport. A six-speed manual gearbox transmits power to 17” front wheels made by Borbet and shod with exclusive new racing tyres manufactured by Dunlop.

Body revisions based on the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit, currently available from all MINI dealers, are key features of the CHALLENGE car’s set-up. To generate increased downforce at higher speeds, CHALLENGE car owners can expect a new adjustable rear spoiler, rear diffuser and performance front spoiler. The new braking system performs exceptionally. Large four-piston callipers mean the car can go from 62 – 0mph in just 3.1 seconds. A race-specific ABS configuration and an air-pressure elevating system complete the product modifications, which together equate to a vehicle 30kg lighter than the previous CHALLENGE car.

Safety measures perfect the array of MINI CHALLENGE car features. A roll cage welded firmly to the body of the car houses RECARO bucket seats combined with a six-point safety belt, along with the HANS (Head And Neck Support) system used in Formula 1 cars.

Oh, and you can buy one for yourself too.

MINI Today confirmed for the first time in an official press statement that a 210 hp Works MINI Cooper S will be available to the public in “Summer 2008″.

We’ve been saying for a long time that the new Stage 1 Works kit was only phase one of the “Hot MINIs from MINI” strategy and recently we gave 212 hp as the predicted output of the Stage 2 factory fitted Works, we were pretty close.

In a press release focusing on the MINI Challenge 2008 car, MINI mention, as an aside, that the same engine conversion will be available to private customers from Summer 2008. The tuning kit powers up the Cooper S with a quoted output of 210 hp (ps) and 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm with overboost). Now that sounds like fun.

*update*

Now we’ve received a full English language release, this news may not be so exciting for the road-going hot MINI fan.

Although the car is designed for race participation, private owners may find owning a MINI CHALLENGE car a compelling prospect. However, the car will not be licensed for public roads and as such is expected to maintain its appeal among racing enthusiasts.

Race teams will receive the first MINI CHALLENGE cars from March 2008. Private customers not competing in the MINI Challenge series can expect deliveries of cars from June 2008. An order form for the car can be downloaded from 11 September 2007 at www.MINI.com/challenge-car and the expected price is €49,900 inc. VAT.

More than a week after the Austrian Configure went online and people on MINI2 started specifying their prospective MINI Clubman, the UK configure is now online.

It’s almost exactly the same as the Austrian version, only in English, and with prices to reflect. You can get speccin’ at the MINI.co.uk site now!

Frequently MINI2 members highlight suspect vehicles listed on eBay. They’re usually MINIs that are sold at “too good to be true” prices, and generally avoid PayPal or other reputable escrow service providers. Other typical patterns are the sellers are overseas, often in a completely different location to the MINI on offer, and photographs that don’t match the advertised specification.

The good old fashioned saying “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…” springs to mind here, and almost always that proves to be the case.

When highlighting these scams, which are often, but apparently not always withdrawn after being brought to the attention of the powers that be at eBay, people often question who would fall for these things?

An unnamed mother from Guernsey is one such woman, who is £3.5k worse off after falling for one such eBay trap.  All the tale tale signs seemed to have been there, the seller wanted to avoid PayPal who have “ripped her off” in the past.  The seller was moving abroad, so needed a quick sale.  The price was fantastic, most MINI fanatic eBay watchers will have seen the type of listing.

After a string of lies and deception our victim paid the money.  Sadly, after eight days had passed, it all got too much and the police were called in.

So folks, as obvious as some of these scams may appear to the eBay regulars among us, there are people out there who will sadly be conned by this sort of confidence trickster.  Be careful out there folks, we’re not going to spin the old “eBay is evil” line here, but buying on eBay doesn’t guarantee safety, and when things are taken out of the ordinary cycle, even less so.   When buying and selling used goods, it’s the same as it’s always been, buyer beware.  These people are the hustlers who show you lovely products at the market and give you a bag of tat around the back of the lorry, only £3.5k buys them a lot of tat to entice further victims with.

Full story on This is Guernsey.