April 27th ALLMAG Hosted MINI Misfits of Tampa Bay for a community car wash. Three Chilis in a row                   ..read more

       The all-electric Mini Cooper SE was launched in 2020. Since then, Mini has unveiled their plan to fully electrify the brand by 2030, starting with the 2025 Mini Countryman SE. Production on the all-new Countryman is to start in July of 2024. Along with adding an electric power train option, Mini has updated two of their production plants to help further the push to an all-electric line up. Minis will have an electric power train option alongside internal combustion engines. This is exactly what BMW, the parent company of Mini, is doing with its models. BMW offers an ..read more

What makes a letter so special? It looks unassuming. The letter M flanked by the motorsports flag. But what lies behind that badge is a driving experience like no other. The M badge indicates that a particular model has been developed by BMW’s Motorsport division. The drivetrain often shares little to no parts with the “lesser” BMW models. Increases in power are supported by chassis, suspension, and braking upgrades. These performance bits are complemented by M-specific exterior and interior touches. The badge is no joke: these cars are serious machines with a racing pedigree to match.   ..read more

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R50 and R53 Mini Cooper Hatchback Looking to purchase a first generation Mini? The first generation Mini Cooper hatchback was offered from 2002-2006, and went mostly unchanged with the exception of a minor cosmetic refresh in 2005. While these are some of the most fun cars to own and drive, they can quickly become a hassle if not cared for properly. The potential headaches make a pre purchase inspection all the more important. Motoring File has put together a great buyers guide for the R50 and R53 Mini’s, so you can make sure that the Mini you are about to buy can keep up with your spirited d ..read more

The tried and true 3 Series has been the golden child of BMW for over 20 years, and has earned its place on the top of the pedestal when discussing modern sports sedans and coupes. While clear in its design and purpose, the naming scheme of the 3 Series is anything but. Believe it or not, at one point in time, BMW’s nomenclature was pretty easy to understand. The first number was the series or class, and the following two digits denoted the engine size, in liters. The simple naming scheme is a thing of the past now. Current 3 series production models include a 328i, 335i and 340i, and none of ..read more

Your Mini Cooper and Autocross: Where to Begin? The Basics Autocross is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of motorsport worldwide. With easy accessibility and a class system that allows fair competition, it has become extremely viable to bring your daily driver out for a track day and have fun while being competitive. Usual autocross tracks include a simple cone outline in a large parking lot or even at an airport. This allows for quick and easy setup, variability, and helps to avoid damaging your car by sliding off of the track. The SCCA official rules allow for cars that are co ..read more

  The re launch of the Mini brand in the United States occurred during the 2002 model year, with the Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) making their way across the Atlantic. While the overall design of the R50/R53 hatchback remained similar throughout the production run, there are several major changes that are worth noting. The 2002 to July of 2004 Coopers are known as the “pre-facelift” and can be distinguished from the post July/2004 “post-facelift” Coopers rather easily once you know what you are looking for.   Engine Changes: The engines themselves remained the same throughout the ..read more

2017 was our first year attending MINIs on the Dragon in Fontana, North Carolina so we thought it would be nice to recap our experience for all to see! MINIs on the Dragon is a fantastic event for Mini Cooper owners located in the mountains of Fontana, NC. The event encompasses the beautiful Fontana Village Resort and the surrounding roads. We definitely picked an exciting year to make the trip up to Fontana, North Carolina! When we arrived to the lodge on Thursday, May 4th the power was out and everything was completely black, but more on that later. We have a great experience to share ..read more

Our local Mini owners and enthusiast group, East of the Bay Minis, are always finding a way to get out and have a great time with their Minis while also giving back to the community. Earlier this month, EotB hosted a poker run: a driving route where stopping at each shop allowed you to draw a random card from a deck. At the end of the route, whoever had the best 5 card poker hand would be named the winner. Not only was the event a blast, but all of the money raised for the event went to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Nearly $1,000 was raised at the event! Over 30 people showed up with their M ..read more