"Keys and Car Stolen as Mum and I Slept"

[Ed. note: I read stories like this one every day... For some reason I am compelled to post this one.]

By Gina Marden, echo-news.co.uk

"A YOUNG woman has been left devastated after burglars stole her car after breaking into her home.

Sherri Saunders, 20, saved up for three years for the 2002 Mini Cooper S which she only enjoyed for three weeks before it was taken.

The shop assistant and model had been saving since passing her driving test. Her dad, Paul, discovered the car was missing from their driveway when he returned from work.

Sherri, 20, of Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, said: “I was in shock at first and then what happened started to kick in a couple of days later.”

Her dad Paul, 48, added: “I just feel destroyed for her. She’s been crying every day. It’s so unfair.”

Paul is offering £1,000 for information given to police which leads to the return of the car..."

[the part that makes me laugh, sort of]

"...Detectives are still looking for the Mini, which was grey with a black roof and black stripes on the bonnet which continue on to the bumper."

Gee- that narrows it down!

Read the complete article at echo-news.co.uk

MTTS-LA: Totally Unofficial Hotel Recommendations

[Updated, Monday, July 14, 2008, 01:59 PM]

Since a big group of friends from out of town are coming up for MINI TAKES THE STATES-LOS ANGELES, I tried to get some reliable information about hotel accomodations in the Pasadena area. And, since I'm writing it down, I figure I may as well post it for others who may be in a similar situation of not having a clue where to stay aside from the Hilton.

Please note these are not my personal suggestions, as I have not been to any of these establishments. Think of it more as a "starting point" for your own research. :)

I will update this post as more information becomes available. Feel free to use the comment feature to add your own recommendations or "warnings"!

"The List"-- along with comments from people I trust to give me decent info (in no particular order):

Holiday Inn Express
full breakfasts, nice amenties. good rates

The Hilton - 168 S. Los Robles Avenue

The Westin - 191 N. Los Robles Avenue
(closest hotel to Rose Bowl) (California Pizza Kitchen and McCormick and Schmicks on the Property)

Courtyard by Marriott - 180 N. Fair Oaks Ave.*
(close to Rose Bowl) (near old town Pasadena, lots of shopping, restaurants nearby, very freeway close - can hop right on the 210)

The Sheraton - 303 East Cordova
near Paseo Colorado (large shopping complex)

The Langham - 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
(formerly The Ritz Carlton) very expensive!!

Saga Motor Hotel - 1633 E Colorado Blvd
a good value.


*While I've attempted to keep my own opinion out of this post, I will mention that this particular location was recommended by three different sources.

MINImus Omnibus: News at a Glance

It's been kinda dead the last few days on Bushfinger MINI- certainly not due to a lack of MINI related news, but moreso a combination of 1) yours truly relocating to new abode (i forgot how much moving sucks), 2) a deluge of over-recycled news (mostly old news to MINIacs), and 3) quite frankly, all the other "big" MINI news, seems to be a tad bit over-covered lately.

photo found on motoringunderground.com

Here are a few recent bits I find somewhat interesting that may or may not already be posted on 100 other blogs:

LA Times writes: "American drivers should consider themselves lucky -- try $9.85 a gallon in Oslo."
[at latimes.com]

MINI among Mercedes-Benz E320 and Tesla Roadster in "Fuel-Efficient Cars You Actually Want to Drive"
"With the current economic downturn, increasingly high fuel prices and a growing concern for the environment, many of today's drivers are embracing fuel efficient or 'green vehicles. We want to educate consumers on the few vehicles that are not only Earth-friendly, but also stylish and exhilarating to drive."..."
[at emercedesbenz.com]

More Clubman Reviews?? nah- I'll skip it.
[If you must, here are about 1,150,000 at Google.com]

Truck overturns, Mini-Cooper stays on its wheels after collision
Santa Paula Police are investigating a two-vehicle collision that left a truck overturned - but a Mini-Cooper on its wheels - Friday evening, blocking a busy intersection..."
[at santapaulatimes.com]

Clubmans Make Moms Hot
"The mom-reviewers here at MotherProof.com have recommendations for (mostly) functional family cars that can make you look and feel as hot as the summer sun..."
[at motherproof.com]


"Clubmans Post Up!"
MotoringUnderground.com unwittingly collects the coolest Clubman photos on the web...
[at motoringunderground.com]

Gas prices in world cities (LA TIMES)

I don't often read, and even more rarely quote the L.A. Times. However in an article I read today, staff writer Marla Dickerson writes: "American drivers should consider themselves lucky -- try $9.85 a gallon in Oslo."

To which I say, I've been saying this all along! The totally intriguing list is shown below. The full story is available on LA TIMES.com at the link below:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-worldgas10-2008jul10,1,1883309.story

Gas prices in world cities

City Reg. price in USD/gal.

Oslo 9.85
Paris 9.43
Copenhagen 9.24
Rome 9.03
London 8.96
Berlin 8.68
Hong Kong 8.05
Seoul 7.33
Sao Paulo 6.38
Tokyo 6.30
Singapore 6.13
Nairobi 5.94
Sydney 5.57
Montreal 5.57
Vancouver 5.50
Santiago 5.18
Toronto 4.98
Mumbai 4.94
Bangkok 4.78
Los Angeles 4.57
Johannesburg 4.41
Moscow 3.90
Havana 3.75
Buenos Aires 3.56
Beijing 3.40
Mexico City 2.62
Dubai City 1.70
Cairo 1.24
Kuwait City 0.92
Riyadh 0.47
Tehran 0.41
Caracas 0.12

Sources: AIRINC, Energy Information Administration

Used Cars Make A Comeback, MINI Dominates

Today Forbes.com discusses the increase in used car values for older, fuel-efficient vehicles. I about lost it when I read:

"...This year's Mini Cooper buyers expecting to find a lower-priced used 2007 Mini were in for a big surprise. They paid, on average, $2300 more for a used Mini in mid-June, a 12% increase over the average transaction price on Jan. 1 of this year..."

Twelve percent? Twelve percent?! Since January?! Well, you know how I am-- I immediately got distracted from the article and had to get an update on the ol' "Kelly Blue Book vs. Payoff" challenge for my own MINI. The results? Wait for it...


Kelly Blue Book, Private Party, Excellent Condition: $21,945*
Current payoff (after 3 years of payments): $15,662.73*

That's right folks by these numbers, not only have I only lost about $6,000 in value after three years of ownership- if I sold it today, I'd make it all back! Yeah, I know I probably missed something in the math there somewhere. Feel free to correct me. Meanwhile, excuse me while I laugh my a** off for a second and do a little dance...

Forbes continues:

"Dominating the list of 15 fuel-efficient used cars making a comeback is the Mini Cooper with four model years, including 2005 ($1,900 average transaction price increase, or 11%); 2006 ($1,600 average transaction price increase, or 10%); and 2004 ($1,050 average transaction price increase, or 7.4%)..."

Yeah, I had to include that part in there too. But in all fairness, its not all about the MINI. Check out the entire article for some jaw-dropping, cork-popping numbers! Well, I guess that depends on what you drive.

*(Figures are for comparison and commentary purposes only.)

Related Links:

• Forbes.com
• KBB.com
• MINIUSA.COM

Can a Hornet sting the MINI?

A few articles I ran across today question if the Dodge Hornet (concept) is specifically aimed at taking a piece of the MINI Cooper market.

"We wanted the Hornet to be dynamic, nimble, fun to drive, and have an adaptable space-efficient interior," said Mark Moushegian, Principal Exterior Designer. "At the same time we set out to create a vehicle with a uniquely American character to expand the image and presence of the Dodge brand in Europe and international markets, especially in the entry-level market."

Underhood is a 1.6L 16-valve OHC supercharged I/C four-cylinder engine putting out 127 kW (170 hp)/224 N•m (165 lb.-ft.) of torque @ 4000 rpm.

"Like the exterior, the interior is geared around young rally enthusiasts," said John Sodano, Principal Interior Designer. "Our intention was to maximize the interior volume by pushing all interior surfaces to the perimeter of the vehicle as much as possible. I studied images of space capsule interiors, since they are designed for high efficiency in a limited space. I wanted the Hornet inside to have a functional, 'engineered' look, but with pleasing surfaces and materials."

My two cents? Um, just look at that front end. And the back end. And the interior.


Form your own opinion by reading the articles in full at the links below!

Related Links:

• The Official Dodge Hornet website
• cartoday.com
• minicooperreviews.com

LifeBall MINI Auction Closes at 45,000 EUR

When the eBay auction closed on June 15th, some lucky Austrian fella (or fraulein) became the proud owner of the one-of-a-kind Life Ball MINI 2008 by Agent Provocateur.


Closing at 45,000 Euros (equiv. $69,700 USD), that's a pretty good deal for a custom MINI Cooper Clubman! In addition to the hand-stitched leather interior, custom graphics and paint and of course, bragging rights- proceeds from this auction go toward international AIDS charities, which is a pretty cool statement right there!

The winning bidder will also receive two VIP tickets, including overnight accommodation, for the MINI Challenge Finale on 27 September 2008 at the Salzburgring race track.

Not a bad deal for 70 grand! I would certainly take it over a 7-Series any day!


Related Links:

• LifeBall MINI
• LifeBall.org
• Agent Provocateur

Video Friday: R56 Autocross...

Found on NorthAmericanMotoring.com...

"I get good comments like 'that can't be stock!' 'what do you have in that thing?' I'm pretty sure most of those guys think I'm a liar. My answer always is 'look at the ride height, if It wasn't stock would I have it riding so high' ..."

Norcal UFO Autox 2007 Mini Cooper S from Brendan on Vimeo.

Related Links:

• NorthAmericanMotoring.com

MINIUSA.COM Visitor Traffic up 90%. Attributes Rising Fuel Prices

filed under "you could see it coming a mile away"...


Auto-blog site, Cars.com reports that 900,000 people went to miniusa.com in May 2008?!

"Maybe it was the recent introduction of the Clubman, but MINI is saying, nope, it’s high fuel prices that have driven traffic to its website to increase nearly 90%. Last month, more than 900,000 people went to miniusa.com to check out the Cooper lineup. Searches for new Mini Coopers were also up on Cars.com, nearly 40% in May compared to April 2008."

The article continues on to cite mileage estimates in comparison to other cars in the same class. Friends of "Bushfinger MINI" will recall more realistic, real-world mileage statistics conducted by yours truly!

Read the full article at cars.com

Related Links:

• Cars.com
• MINIUSA.com
• Bushfinger MINI - Mileage Log

Video Friday: Thumb-sized R/C MINI Cooper

Thinkgeek.com is one of my favorite sites to look at stuff I'll never buy. I might actually buy this thumb-sized R/C MINI Cooper though!

Related Links:

• Thinkgeek.com

Video Friday: 2008 JCW Cooper vs. JCW Clubman

Cars.com asks, "Which MINI is best for Suburban Dads?"

Cars.com's Patrick Olsen compares the 2008 Mini Cooper S, Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman to see which one is the best for a suburban dad.

Related Links:

• Cars.com
• MINIUSA.com

Clubman, xB, and Smart ForTwo- compared?

Tell me Cars.com did not just compare the 2008 model MINI Cooper Clubman, Scion xB, and Smart ForTwo?!


How on earth could they? I mean, these models have nothing in common. Well, except for each counting as "Iconic". Or as Cars.com writers put it,

"Some cars are merely popular, like the Toyota Camry, while others have a rabid following in which the car is more than just a car. The three cars below fall into the latter category, and we're here to see which has the best odds to win over the hearts and minds of its owners."

Okay- I'll accept that. With categories like "Biggest head-turner" and "Cabin aesthetics", this is not your typical comparison. And the results may astound you!

Visit Cars.com for a complete, and admittingly- quite unique look at three otherwise totally uncomparible 2008 models.


Related Links:

• Cars.com
• MINIUSA.com
• Scion.com
• smartusa.com

Life Ball 2008 MINI [Video]

Yep, again with the Agent Provocateur MINI... but, it's so hot! Or is it the women?





Here's some heartwarming text to offset any NSFW guilt you may be experiencing:

The Life Ball MINI is traditionally designed by the fashion designer to whom the fashion show at the opening event is dedicated - in 2008 this was the English lingerie label Agent Provocateur. The starting point chosen for the exclusive one-off design was the new MINI Clubman. Agent Provocateur, founded by Serena Rees and her husband Joseph Corre, son of fashion doyenne Vivienne Westwood, is known for its wicked, burlesque collections - and this year’s Life Ball MINIM was designed accordingly.

Exterior/interior:
"We really enjoyed giving the MINI Clubman our unique brand look. The new shape of the MINI is so reminiscent of the old Mini police car that we immediately came up with the idea of giving the interior a makeover in the Agent Provocateur style, so that you’d actually want to be arrested. The classic exterior has been pepped up a little, using the Agent Provocateur signature colours of Pink and Black and finished off with a pink flashing light. Inside there is a truly seductive prison cell which is fitted out with leather loops as manacles that are attached directly to the walls, as well as mirrored windows and metallic prison bars.

"Always under the assumption that the long arm of the law requires plenty of space when questioning a prisoner, we fitted our Agent Provocateur police MINI Van with couch seats in the back and leg restraints for forensic examinations. The quilted leather seats and tailor-made compartments for notebook and pen, the Agent Provocateur MINI police car is the perfect vehicle for finding a criminal’s hidden treasures, don’t you think?" says Joseph Corre, founder of lingerie label Agent Provocateur.

The designer MINI 2008 made its debut in front of 40,000 spectators at this year’s Life Ball in Vienna’s town hall square. Escorted by four models, with Joseph Corre at the wheel and Sophie Ellis Bextor as the front-seat passenger, the Life Ball MINI 2008 opened the fantastic show on Vienna’s town hall square.
[source: lifeball.org]




Related Links:

• www.agentprovocateur.com
• www.lifeball.org
• eBay.at

Agent Provocateur's hot hot Clubman!

The Agent Provocateur MINI Clubman. Not a totally new topic, and maybe even a bit over-covered (and under-dressed), but hey- still tres chic in my opinion... (click photos for larger view)

(Photos courtesy Jalopnik.com and LifeBall.org)

"The Agent Provocateur Clubman was built as the Life Ball 2008 MINI. As in the years before MINI chose a trendy designer to create a unique MINI to be auctioned off on eBay to raise funds for Europe's largest AIDS charity from the 5th of June. The auction ends on Sunday 15th June at www.ebay.at."

Visit the any of the 200+ articles for a thorough review, and even more racy photos...

Related links:

• AgentProvocateur.com
• LifeBall.org

MINI CHALLENGE Series For Sale?

What the what?!?!?! Okay, not exactly...

Specifically, today I read that Motorsport Event Management (MEM), the agency contracted to run the Australian MINI CHALLENGE, has been put up for sale by its current owner.


While one of the fastest growing iterations of the MINI CHALLENGE (they speak English y'know!), the Australian automotive blog site, ausmotive.com reports that this sale is actually a result of the MEM owner's desire to focus on his own "multiple racing teams". I'll accept that! (how one finances, "multiple racing teams" is a different story altogether!)

"MINI is confident that any sale of MEM will be to a suitable purchaser who will continue to manage the increasingly popular MINI CHALLENGE series..."

--- BMW Group Australia, MINI National Manager, Justin Hocevar

For the full story check out ausmotive.com, one of my new favorite sites!

Related links:

• ausmotive.com
• minichallenge.com.au
• sherrinmotorsport.com.au

AC Schnitzer's 226-hp MINI Cooper Clubman S

AC Schnitzer does have a pretty good reputation at tuning MINIs. So I don't know why I didn't think I was going to be as excited about AC Schnitzer's tuned MINI Cooper Clubman S as I was.

Some specs:

• 226-hp
• 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels
• spoiler treatments
• diesel option(s)

And it looks, oh so sweet!

photos borrowed from egmcartech.com

The price? Well, if you have to ask... (€ 39.035)

Read the full story at egmcartech.com

MINI of Charleston Team Picks Up Track Record

Found at the Post and Courier (from Charleston, SC):

While unable to claim wins last month in Virginia, the Mini of Charleston racing team did pick up a track record, with Robbie Davis averaging 84.692 miles per hour in a 2005 Mini Cooper S. Davis took two second places in the weekend races at the 3.27 mile Virginia International Raceway in Danville. The track record came on a lap in the Sunday race. The team returns to action in May 17-18 at Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, W. Va.

Read the full story at: http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/10/whe40358/

(oh wait, that was the full story!?)

Related links:

• Charleston Post and Courier
• Mini of Charleston
• Summit Point Raceway
• Virginia International Raceway - www.virclub.com

MINI Turbo engine to power BMW 1-series?

MotorTrend reports BMW plans to outfit (non-U.S.) 1-Series' with the turbo four-cylinder from the Mini Cooper S. Yeah, we never get the good stuff:

(Image courtesy of MotorTrend.com)

In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said the Munich company will include both normal and turbo versions of the 1.6-liter four-cylinder in the next-generation 1 Series, though whether they will be available across the model lineup or just on specific cars remains to be seen. Both the turbo and 118 horsepower base engine are currently available in the second-generation Mini, as well as versions of the Peugeot 207 hatchback, wagon, and hardtop convertible.

Oh yeah, and some jazz about a 7-Series hybrid. But, who can afford a 7-Series in the first place?

Read the full story at Motortrend.com (http://wot.motortrend.com/6246143/auto-news/bmw-1-series-will-get-mini-engine-hints-at-7-series-hybrid/index.html)

NYT asks, "GP MINI: An instant collectible?"

Within in the last month or so I have seen photos of two out of the 415 U.S. issued GP MINIs crashed on the Internet and a third in real-life (and in real time no less!). Meanwhile, the question of whether the GP MINI, or as it is officially billed, the "Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit" qualifies as a true "collectible" has surfaced not only on a recent episode of White Roof Radio, but just today in an interesting editorial from New York Times writer Richard Chang:

(Photo courtesy: toddsmods.com)

"When carmakers label something as limited edition, it typically means they’ve added leather and slapped on some chrome badging to spark sales in the middle of a model cycle. For example, you don’t see Ford Mustang Bullitt editions going for anywhere near the $31,075 sticker on eBay (and this is a brand new car).

Could the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit (its official name) be different?...

In two years, the GP Kit, according to my friend, had become a collector’s item. “People bought them and stored them in their garage,” he said. Really? An instant collectible? I brought this up to Vincent Kung, a Mini product spokesman, who wrote back, “The GP, yes, has been selling for more than sticker. I saw a used former press car for sale at a local dealer at $36,000...”

As always New York Times' online editions are a pretty good read. I encourage you to enjoy the full article and let us know what you think!

New York Times: Mini's Instant Collectible