ALLGBMINI

Of course every MINI owner has read their Owners Manual – one is included with the car, and it is also available online at the MINIUSA Owners Lounge (direct links to each year no longer work, but I archived the 2005 and 2006 manuals)

Then there is the Unauthorized Owners Manual, which exists as a small booklet available at some dealerships, or can be downloaded; there is a copy on MotoringFile which I have mirrored here to avoid hurting Gabes bandwidth:

Update May 2006:
Here is a scan of the ’05+ Boost radio manual.

The August issue of Road & Track magazine has an interesting article “Fun Factor – 12 cars guaranteed to bring miles of smiles” and of course, our favourite car is included:

“… irresistibly inviting for nearly any kind of trip, [adding] an element of fun to the most mundane errand … stands out in a sea of the cautiously designed and inoffensively bland … fun because it adds zest and spice to life … – Peter Egan”

Of course we all knew that already, but you can read the whole article online, listen to Peter Egan raving about the MINI, or find out what the other fun cars are …
MINI Cooper S: the best of course, and first in the magazine article
Dodge SRT-4: No looks, just power
Scion xB: Cheap & practical, but fun?!
Lotus Elise: Great if you don’t want to enjoy the ride 😉
Ford Mustang GT: A brute of an engine
Subaru Impreza WRX STi: Many people seem to like this car
Porsche Boxster S: If I didn’t have a MINI, and didn’t need to transport anything …
BMW M3: BMW styling still does not appeal to me
Chevrolet Corvette: Another huge engine
Dodge Viper SRT-10: $$$$ for summer driving only
Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG: OK, it’s a fun station wagon
Porsche 911 Carrera S: I prefer the Boxster

[of course – the above opinions are only mine 😉 ]

I was recently given these photos by Joel at MINI Peabody; they were taken by a MINI owner after her car was viciously attacked by a huge dump truck! The pictures makes it very clear that the dump truck attempted to drive up and over the top of the MINI – you can see the deep tire track / indentation running up the bonnet, stopped thankfully by the solid frame of the passenger cell:

 

What is astonishing to me is the strength of the MINI. Yes it “gaves it life” and totally collapsed at the front, but the passenger area is apparently untouched!

The owner gave these photos to Joel while ORDERING HER REPLACEMENT MINI at MINI Peabody – both she and I are apparently impressed by the little car 🙂

Thanks Leslie for permission to post these pictures, and to Joel for passing them on.