Time For A Clean Sweep

A recent innovation has excited some in the car design business – a move that could see the end to windscreen wipers. Apparently, using “nanotechnology”, Italian car designers have come up with a self-clearing windscreen. It uses a special oxide to repel water and miniature nozzles which blast out water and air to get rid of dust and dirt. The windscreen uses super-thin layers of nanoparticles on top of the windscreen. Each layer is a couple of atoms thick, meaning they can work simultaneously on water and dust.

And it does appear an attractive idea – after all, even the best windscreen wipers don’t reach the whole screen, which means that drivers have to put up with a permanent “film” that restricts vision at the extremes. Windscreen wipers also get frozen to the glass overnight in winter – a major cause of call outs for the emergency services, when fuses blow as a result of drivers starting the car without first freeing up the wipers. Whether the new wiper-free technology could cope with UK road salt and grime has yet to be seen.

It’s certainly been a while since windscreen wipers were on the drawing board: in 1969, the first intermittent wipers were introduced. A year later, Swedish car manufacturer Saab introduced headlight wipers.

So what do we need to do to look after the existing technology until the world changes?

The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) recommends that as spring starts to make the morning routine easier, have a look at the condition of the wiper blades. Quite often, polish from the car body finds its way onto the windscreen blades, producing a smear or a less than clean sweep – or pimples of tree resin that leave a line. It’s tempting to replace the whole wiper when this happens – but actually, a thorough wipeover with a bit of kitchen roll can extend the life of the blades considerably, take away those lines, and stop the smearing effect that destroys vision so effectively.

When the rubber blades finally do give up the ghost, consider just replacing the rubbers themselves – there may not be a need to replace the entire wiper blade, depending on your car.

Want more friends? Buy a MINI

Could the car you drive really boost your social life? It could if you choose the right model according to new research into online social networking.

Research published this month by Carcraft, the UK’s longest established used car hypermarket chain, found that many thousands of car owners are joining Facebook groups set up specifically to exchange messages and advice with fellow owners of the same make of car.

Mini Cooper drivers were the friendliest of all, according to the Carcraft survey, with more than 20,000 drivers networking across more than 300 groups.

Barry Nightingale, managing director at Carcraft, says: “It is interesting to see that cars are not only viewed as a symbol of wealth and status but they are increasingly becoming a crucial part of people’s identity and social life. This is reflected online with large numbers using sites such as Facebook to network with like-minded drivers.

“The website is even encouraging the trend by introducing a ‘garage’ application, which allows users to publish the make and model of their car on their personal profile page.”

Since it launched four years ago, Facebook has become one of the most popular social networking sites, with more than 61 million active users and countless special interest groups.

Frances Brown, a 26-year-old Mini Cooper driver from Manchester has discovered that car interest groups have a number of uses besides boosting her tally of Facebook friends.

She explains: “Facebook groups are a good way to chat to likeminded people and to discuss different car makes, as you can read about people’s actual experiences. They can help you save money and keep you up to date with new launches. I regularly post messages to other Mini drivers in the group to share information on anything from repair costs to different models and new accessories.”

Who needs facebook when you can join the British Mini Club and make even more friends :)

MINI Cooper Clubman debuts at BCA

The new MINI Cooper S Clubman made its official used car market debut in a special sale staged at BCA Nottingham. Buyers representing 54 BMW dealerships attended the event, with a further 24 dealers bidding over the internet via BCA Live Online.

Seven examples of the MINI Cooper S Clubman were offered and sold for an average of £18,150, well in excess of CAP Clean.

Another 48 MINI derivatives sold strongly for an average of £14,800, well in excess of CAP Clean, including 7 examples of the MINI Cooper D hatchback that averaged over £15,250.

A total of 258 vehicles were sold for a turnover of £7.6 million, equivalent to 108.6% of CAP Clean. Online bidders purchased 72 cars – over a quarter of the entry – and placed bids on 70% of the vehicles.

BMW Auction Manager, Nigel Smith, said, "This was another exceptional result in the BMW and BCA partnership following on from the record turnover achieved late last year. Thanks to the strong attendance from our dealer network and the added buying power generated by Live Online, the prices achieved were exceptional, with the debut models doing particularly well.”

BCA National Account Manager, Paul Dunn added “The iconic MINI Cooper S Clubman made a strong debut, which suggests it will be a successful and desirable model as a used car.”

The Latest News From Derek’s

He has in for restoration a 1962 Mini Super Deluxe, 848cc engine this car has been booked in to the garage for a full restoration, so far this car has had the following work done.

Body, has had two new front wings, A panels, front valance, rear valance, new scuttle panel, complete floor and boot floor, new door skins and door repair panel plus a rebuild on the boot lid all the panels are Heritage panels and Mini Machine the car is in the paint shop at the moment where it has been painted Almond Green and will be fitted with Undersheilds to protect the new panel work.

The Engine Has had a rebuild the crank has been reground and has also had new pistons and piston rings. The gearbox has also had an overall. The car has an old-fashioned heater valve, I have never seen before but this part has been refurbished I would be surprised if you can still buy this part.

The running gear, the car has had the front sub-frame stripped of paint sandblasted and powder coated and then repainted then all new parts have been fitted then re-fixed back into the body. New S type brakes have been fitted complete with a new Servo under the o/s front wing The rear sub-frame is a new one sandblasted powder coated and painted with all new parts.

The interior and wheels still have to be fitted so we can update you in the next issue.

Revamped and ready to go – MINI Cherished online

MINI UK is responding to a huge surge in interest for its 100 per cent approved used cars with a complete redevelopment of its MINI Cherished website. From 01 April 2008, UK customers will be able to locate their perfect used MINI faster and even more easily at www.minicherished.co.uk

In February of this year, searches for used MINIs totalled nearly one million through www.minicherished.co.uk . That equates to a staggering 91.5 per cent increase on the same period in 2007*. The amazing residual values and low ownership costs of pre-owned MINIs are proving irresistible to British buyers, with sales already up 25.2 per cent over the first two months of last year**.

Site visitors will now be able to compare a shortlist of MINIs and even email the car’s details to a friend directly from the website. If they can’t find exactly the right car, there is an alert service with email, SMS or MMS text formats available ensuring they don’t miss out on the MINI of their dreams.

In addition to the more detailed search facility, a quick search option by model, price and postcode features on the new site. A significantly revised summary page showing pictures of all MINIs matching the selected criteria is also provided.

Peace of mind is central to the success of the manufacturer-backed scheme, with every Cherished MINI coming with the following range of benefits:

• Minimum 12 months MINI Warranty
• Minimum 12 months MINI Emergency Service Cover across the UK and Continental Europe
• Minimum 12 month MOT and MOT Cover
• Full Service History
• Independent vehicle history and mileage checks
• Finance and Insurance available through MINI Financial Services

MINI UK General Manager Andy Hearn said: “With the phenomenal growth in sales of used MINIs, we are delighted to be supporting our dealers through this more interactive website.

“Prospective MINI customers will be able to quickly search a wide variety of MINIs from the comfort of their own home, contact the selling dealer and receive all of the benefits of buying a 100 per cent approved used MINI as part of the MINI Cherished scheme.”

Win this Mini City at Himley for £1

Your chance to win this fab little classic Mini City, this car has covered just 16k miles since new and has an MOT and Tax. It's a corker of a car and can only be won at our British Mini Day at Himley Hall on the 11th May. Tickets cost just £1.00.

The winner of the car also gets £250 toward insurance from Footman James our show sponsors. The car is also fitted with brand new alloys and tyres supplied to the BMC from Midland Wheel Supplies. Don't miss your chance of winning this genuine classic Mini. You have to be at British Mini Day-Himley Hall to win this Mini. As always the same rules apply. The holder of the winning ticket has 1 minute to collect the prize or it will be drawn again....

British Mini Club events getting bigger by being better. See British Mini Days for more information

Footman James awards top trophies

Our very good friends at Footman James who recently announced sponsorship of all British Mini Club events for 3 years will now also be presenting trophies at our events for the top catergories of Best Engine, Best Interior, Best Paint, Best Presented and also car of the day. To win these much coveted trophies your Mini has to be the best. These catergories are judged by an independant judge on the day so to be the best make sure your Mini is the best.

More details on British Mini Days and check here for Discount Insurance with Footman James

November Sun Run 2008 Champagne to the High Alps

The 2nd running of the 15-50 November Sun Run will take place from the 1st to the 4th of November 2008. The start will be near Bar sur Aube which is east of Troyes in the champagne region of France. After a long concentration run of over 550 kms you will spend two night in Vals les Bains. During the time spent in the region you will tackle some of the famous rally routes of the 60s such as Burzet and St Bonnet les Froid. The run will then head off in the direction of Aix les Bains for the final two days. The types of preferred cars are Class 1: Classic minis (ADO 15) Mini Coopers (ADO 50). Class 2: Classic cars in production before 1974. Class 3: Post 1974 cars.

If there is enough interest a team event will take place. It will consist of 3 cars. They may all be the same marque or could be a group of friends or a club entry. Awards will be given in all classes.

Make sure you book for this fantastic event soon. More info can be found at: www.15-50.sarahandjames.org