Happy MINIversary!!!

It's been exactly one year since I took the delivery of 2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman. Yup. 365 days of happy motoring. Happy MINIversary!!

MINI USA actually remembers the date and sent an anniversary email. Such a heart warming feeling thing MINI does! Do other brand do this sort of thing?

  Details after the jump

Quick Tip: Stickers

If anyone is interested in putting some MINI related stickers on their car check out Stuck on MINI's.  If the sticker you are looking for isn't on their website, friend them on Facebook and Joanne has many other designs she can hook you up with.

Kyle

15,000 miles update

After almost one year of joy, whether it be every time I grab the steering wheel, or simply gazing at its funky good looks, my Countryman's the odometer recently hit 15,000miles mark!  and I am happy to report it has been almost drama-free. The only time that required service, other than 15k miles scheduled maintenance, was to replace the peeling chrome DLO trim, which was covered under warranty.

Countryman Coupe testing caught on camera

MINI Countryman Coupe or Paceman, whatever it will be finally called when it is officially unveiled at coming 2012 Paris Auto Show in Octorber, was caught on camera. There really is nothing secret about Countryman Coupe/Paceman, as it was already previewed by Paceman concept, and is basically a three door version of Countryman with chopped roof and different rear fascia. But if you must, check out the images after jump to spur up your imaginations on what the final version will look alike!

[ Source :: Autoblog ]

MINI Paceman concept coming soon as Countryman Coupe

According to Car and Driver, the production version of MINI Paceman concept will be debuted as Countryman Coupe. It is a logical choice as Paceman is really only a two door version of Countryman with slightly lower and beefier design cues and different details. Expect the new Countryman Coupe officialy unveiled later this year or early next year.

[ Source :: Car and Driver via MotoringFile ]

MINI "Black Line" Exterior Trim coming soon!

Reliable folks at MotoringFile is reporting MINI is preparing "Black Line" exterior trim for our consumption. With the popularity of "Murdered Out" trend (Technically, though.. it should be matte black paint throughout) it was only a matter of time MINI would offer something like the "Black Line". Germans have been on this for awhile (BMW black shadow trim on 3 series and Audi's Titanium trim on A4 come to our mind) Couple upcoming notable cars with "Blacked Out" factory trim include 2013 Ford Explore Sport and Jeep Latitude model range.

Trim details for "Black Line" will include the rear taillight trim rings, the rear fog light trim ring, the side scuttles and the headlight trim rings. Once they become available (sometime soon? details released at New York Autoshow tomorrow? We don't know), these parts will be available at MINI parts desk for retrofit. There is no word yet on whether there will be a matching “Black Line” interior package.

[ Source  :: MotoringFile ]

MINI Sales Figures March 2012

MINI USA reported sales of 5,866 automobiles in March, a decrease of 3.6 percent from the 6,087 sold in March 2011. Year-to-date, MINI achieved its best first quarter sales since the record year of 2011 retailing 14,180 vehicles, up 14.9 percent compared to 12,341 vehicles sold in the first three months of 2011.