Category Archives: Cars

About six weeks ago, I got an amazing offer from someone I really admire. Gabe Bridger — Creative Director, podcaster and blogger — invited me to come onboard as the editor of his well known MINI news blog, MotoringFile.com. I now handle the day-to-day curation and creation of content for the site, and I’m beginning to coordinate other contributors as well. Gabe needs the help as he’s extremely busy rockin’ the ad world full time and and being an automotive journalist part time.

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’m a big fan of MINIs. In the next few years MINI is introducing several new models, but I’m especially looking forward to the forthcoming Countryman crossover. Though it certainly won’t be the car for everyone, it just might be perfect for my and The Mrs’ adventures here in the great frozen north of Minnesota. What’s more, with recent engine advances from MINI and BMW, the four door Countryman will get slightly …

Yesterday I was thrilled to see that three photos of the MINI Countryman crossover had leaked a couple weeks weeks ahead of MINI’s planned reveal schedule. With the press embargo broken, MINI decided today to go ahead and let Motoringfile and others reveal the full set of R60 photos and accompanying press release. Motoringfile’s founder, Gabe, accompanied the reveal with insightful analysis, as usual.

Exterior design is always subjective. And when you’re dealing with …

Last week I accidentally slid my ’06 Cooper S into a curb in the falling snow. It managed to mangle the rim, but thankfully there was no damage beyond the rim and hub. What it did mean was an insurance claim, some time in the shop and another spin on the loaner car merry-go-round. You see, every time I get my first generation MINI worked on, I end up with a loaner car from this current generation of MINIs. Driving an R56 unfailingly makes me want one. Then when I get my car back, I always fall in love with it all over again and repent of my automotive adultery. This time they gave me a dark silver ’09 Cooper S Clubman, and after five days of driving it as my own, I really didn’t want to give it back.

The fine gentlemen at the White Roof Radio podcast made kind mention of my Streetliner project on the podcast this week. You can download the episode here. Skip to about 19:30. If you’re even remotely interested in the MINI, WRR is the best way to plug into the MINI community.

Thanks again, fellas!

Last night I did half of a rear brake job on my MINI. I wanted to do both sides, but decided I’d rather sleep. This was my first time doing rear brakes at all and I don’t yet own a factory service manual for my Cooper S. What makes it worth mentioning is that it was really, really difficult to just figure out as I went. I had to figure out first and foremost how to even get the caliper …

My car turned 50,000 miles this week. With one thing or another needing modest attention, my MINI Cooper S is starting to show its age. Nothing bad, just little things like brake pads and a handful of scratches in the paint. It’s still a snarling, eager little tank of a thing and I’m still absolutely in love with it. It’s worth looking back at three years of glorious MINI ownership and hopefully offer some perspective for anyone thinking about picking up a used R53 MINI.

I’ve decided to keep my 2006 MINI Cooper S, and I’m really happy about it. It’s really easy to get caught up in the allure of something new. The familiar, no matter how awesome, can easily become ordinary.