October 20, 2004
My Very First Recall...
Although Consumer Reports believes that the MINI is not the most reliable of cars, I think that the gross lack of recalls for a brand new car is quite telling. There's only been a small handful, and that's only covered a small part of the total MINIs that are on the road. The latest recall is also such a non-issue to me, and it is irritating that I actually have to deal with it.
So, what is the latest MINI recall?
and
Oh no! My MINI might cause, gasp, pollution! I should take the thing off the road RIGHT NOW! Think of the children!
I don't know if this is just in the states with California emissions laws (Thanks Albany. I'm sure that New York State is now smog free due to the laws that we have. Oh wait, emissions were NEVER a problem outside of say, New York City, or maybe Albany.), but I now have to take time out of my day (including time off of work) to make sure that my MINI doesn't harm the flowers.
Erik...
(1) comments
So, what is the latest MINI recall?
October 2004
Campaign Number 04E-A01
MINI USA has determined that your MINI automobile tank leakage diagnostic system contains a software error preventing correct detection of a possible evaporation emission leak.
and
October 2004
Campaign Number 04E-A03
MINI USA has determined that your MINI automobile crankcase breather line may deteriorate causing the exhaust emissions to exceed the emission control limits
Oh no! My MINI might cause, gasp, pollution! I should take the thing off the road RIGHT NOW! Think of the children!
I don't know if this is just in the states with California emissions laws (Thanks Albany. I'm sure that New York State is now smog free due to the laws that we have. Oh wait, emissions were NEVER a problem outside of say, New York City, or maybe Albany.), but I now have to take time out of my day (including time off of work) to make sure that my MINI doesn't harm the flowers.
Erik...
October 15, 2004
It's not to late for the Poker Run....
Posted by Bagpiper on the MINI Club of WNY message board:
Go to this thread if you're interested.
Erik...
(0) comments
I have put together a scenic fall fun run for Sunday, October 17th. It will start at EASTVIEW MALL Rt. 96, Victor, NY. just off exit 45 of the NYS thruway. Registration is at 12 noon with first car off at 1:01 pm. Questions and "stops" along the way to pick up cards for your poker hand on the most twisted roads in our area. $10 per car will cover pizza and pop at the end of the run.
Go to this thread if you're interested.
Erik...
October 14, 2004
MINIs in the Winter...
Being a 4 seasons MINI driver, this column struck a cord with me. If you've never driven a MINI in the snow, you'd think that there was no way they would be a good choice for the winter. A light, small car is not what first comes to mind when you think winter driving. This is yet another rule that MINI breaks. The first winter I drove my MINI on the OEM runflats, and was quite confident. For the second winter, I bought a set of dedicated snow tires and rims (Blizzacks) and wow, it handled the snow like a champ. So I sent a message to them using their feedback form, and was asked to post it in the forum.
So, if you want to add your two cents, you can find Cartalk's forum, here, and the thread was started in the Second Opinion board.
Erik...
PS: The MINI Canada Winter MINI section is still on their website, but it might not work if you use an 'off brand' web browser. It works in IE, but not Opera.
(2) comments
So, if you want to add your two cents, you can find Cartalk's forum, here, and the thread was started in the Second Opinion board.
Erik...
PS: The MINI Canada Winter MINI section is still on their website, but it might not work if you use an 'off brand' web browser. It works in IE, but not Opera.
Frequent Answers...
- It's a MINI Cooper S
- 2002
- The MINI dealership
- Nope, it's gas
- About 25mpg
- 163
- Front wheel drive
- 4 cylinder, supercharged
- It's British
- It's actually been around in one way or another since the 60's. This version came out in the States in 2002.
- I wouldn't drive anything else.
- I love it.
- It's great fun.
- Fast enough.
- When you can fly thru the turns, you don't need to be fast in the straights.
- About $20,000 after taxes and other charges...
- 16"
- 6 Speed Getrag
- Over 25,000.
- There's more headroom than your average sedan.
- You're cramped, but very comfortable.
- With 6 airbags, a traction control system originally designed for a rear wheel drive car, side impact beams, and the fact that it's easier to avoid things in a MINI, I'm not worried at all.
- All year round.
- With a set of dedicated snows, it handles great.
Did I miss anything :)
Erik...
October 2, 2004
Electric MINIs...
Well, it's not official, and it's not really for sale, but someone did make one.
(2) comments
Whistler Investments, Inc. and its subsidiaries R-Electric Car Co., Global Electric Corp., and Solium Power Corp. - emerging leaders in the development and marketing of Lithium-powered products worldwide, is proud to announce that the British Embassy in Mexico has agreed to trial the world's first lithium powered vehicle. A delegation of Whistler Investments executives and engineers as well as lithium power guru Chaz Haba were on hand to present the highly anticipated Mini Cooper to the British Ambassador in Mexico, Mrs. Denise Holt. The Mini Cooper will serve as an Embassy fleet vehicle for one year.
The full press release is here, and a picture where you kind of see it here.
Erik...
