An update to the Pandora app is now available for download in iTunes store. With this update you’ll be able to connect to MINI Connected and have full functionality through the MINI interface. Motor On!

Pandora app in iTunes US store

Click on picture to see more.

Motor City MINI in Michigan held an event last night for the launch of the MINI Cooper Countryman! It was great to finally see the car in person and it’s actually smaller than I thought. The MINI they had was the Countryman S with automatic transmission and MINI Connected with Nav. I didn’t get to play with it, because I needed the keys to the MINI for me to do that The event was a great time, nice turnout I think with people from the local MINI club and some potential new owners. Speaking of potential owners, last night a guy surprised his wife with a MINI Cooper Clubman that he bought for her! The sign in the car said “How do you like your new MINI?” She was really happy to get her MINI! Check with your local dealer for the Countryman launch party, because it seems like all MINI dealers are doing it. Motor On!

So if you’re about to order your MINI or just ordered it, there’s a new convenience package that MINI USA has not yet posted in their website builder (the last time I checked, MINI Connected wasn’t there, but I’m guessing in december it will be there). The new Convenience package, called Convenience package II or ZC2 for dealer code can be ordered if you order MINI Connected or MINI Connected with navigation. This package includes these following options:
319 Universal Garage Door Opener
322 Comfort Access keyless entry
431 Auto-dimming rearview mirror
521 Rain sensor and auto headlights

All of this for the price of $750!

Granted, if you ordered the Convenience package I, there’s no need to order this package II, because all of these items are included in the package I, except Bluetooth USB/iPod adapter. Now if you did order MINI Connected the Bluetooth USB/iPod adapter comes with it.

If you were like me and waiting to order the 2011 MINI with MINI Connected, wait no longer. You can order it now for the December build. My MINI will be in production in week 49!

Here’s some info on my MINI: 2011 JCW, midnight black/chili red roof, cold weather package, adaptive headlights, black wheels, cloth seats, MINI Connected with Nav, black driving lights, rear fogs, universal garage opener, auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors, power fold mirrors, color line carbon black, chili red interior, rain sensor and auto headlights, H/K sound and that should about do it for the options. production will start week 49, most likely get it in Jan

Here’s a video of the MINI visual boost that was added to the first build 2011 MINI Coopers by accident. Some dealers may still have this on the lot, so go ask your local MINI dealer. It’s a great option if you don’t want to spend the money on MINI Connected that will be available in December for MINI Coopers assembled in Oxford and MINI Countryman in November that are assembled in Austria. Enjoy and Motor On!

If you’re shopping for a 2011 MINI Cooper you may be in luck! Some dealers are getting 2011 MINI’s with a 6.5″ screen that was put in the car by accident. It doesn’t have nav or MINI Connected, but only displays radio info on the screen. I haven’t gotten to see it work, but soon enough I will. So got o your local dealers and have a look around their lots, the 2011 are coming in. Motor On!

If, like me, you want to get your hands on a 2011 JCW and waiting for the MINIUSA website to be updated with the 2011 builder, so you can see the various colors with the red roof, you’re in luck. I was forwarded this image from one of my twitter followers and he will also order a 2011 MINI with MINI Connected… which we will have to wait till November to order.

So here’s a nice idea of what the various MINI JCW will look like with the chili red roof and also with the JCW aero kit. Below is one more live picture of the black JCW with chili red roof and the JCW aero kit package… looks awesome. Hopefully the 2011 MINI USA builder will go online this week…. Motor On!

2011 MINI Cooper JCW has some changes, mostly cosmetic on the outside and inside. This JCW as shown in the above picture could potentially be my next MINI. I’ll be building one online as soon as MINIUSA updates their website to build a 2011 MINI. I love the color combination black with chili red roof. From the press release, it seems that the red roof will be available across all colors in the JCW line only. Not sure how it will look on any other color, but I’ll be playing around with that when the time comes.

Another thing I’m looking forward to having in the MINI is MINI connect. This will integrate the Apple iPhone in to the system and you’ll be able to control your phone from the screen.. how cool is that. Recently in Michigan a texting while driving ban went in to effect and it’s possible that if you really have to text someone, the system will help you do that and read the message to you. Once I know more on that and any other MINI info I’ll post it here and on nxtMINI.com If you happen to be in Michigan while reading this, go to www.michiganmini.org and check out some MINI events that are happening in the state. Motor City MINI will be holding an event on July 29, more info to come soon. So keep that date open! Speaking of Motor City MINI, the JCW WC50 has finally arrived there and it’s not spoken for yet! So go down there to see this beauty in person. I’ll be taking some pictures of it as soon as they have it detailed. Till then, Motor On!

I’m doing a few changes to this blog. For official press releases from MINI, nxtMINI podcast episodes, pictures and other MINI info, head to nxtmini.com

On this blog I’ll be posting information on my 2011 MINI that I will order, any rallies I got to in my MINI and so forth.

For the 2011 MINI Cooper info head on over to nxtMINI blog for the full press release, pictures and a video. Motor On!