Scott Hunter from East Bay MINI will Participate in MINI Takes the States 2010

MINI TAKES THE STATES 2010.

GET READY TO GET YOUR RALLY ON.

This summer MINI TAKES THE STATES is meeting in the middle (well kind'a, sort'a) for a fun-filled weekend in Denver, Colorado, August 13-15.
Beginning from one of five official starting points -East Bay MINI's own Scott Hunter, MINI Technician, will start the rally from San Francisco in a new MINI Cooper Convertible.

Look for Scott and the official hot chocolate MINI Convertible from East Bay MINI. Scott will be joining motoring enthusiasts from across the country for an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, surprises and of course, MINIs. Experience the contrast of this big country. From coast lines to mountain peaks all in one epic road journey.

Register for the event.

Top 5 Items to Remember when Shopping for a MINI at East Bay MINI

Top 5 items to remember when shopping for a new or pre-owned MINI at East Bay MINI in Pleasanton.

1. Directions to East Bay MINI
2. Driver’s License
3. Insurance Card
4. Personal Information (social security number, etc.)
5. Open mind to experiencing "motoring" in a MINI

IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU GET TO BE FRUGAL AND INDULGENT.

IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU GET TO BE FRUGAL AND INDULGENT.

Now during our Motoring Madness Event, you can lease a 2010 MINI Cooper Hardtop for just $199 per month for 39 months*. Stop by East Bay MINI, or give us a call to learn more about this and any other limited time Motoring Madness specials.

*39-month closed-end lease offered to qualified customers by MINI Financial Services through participating dealers. $2,202 cash due at signing (includes $199 first month payment, $1,803 down payment, $200 security deposit). Lease rate and fees based on an example of a well equipped 2010 MINI Cooper Hardtop with MSRP of $22,500 including Automatic Transmission, Premium Package, destination & handling charge and acquisition fee. Lessee responsible for insurance, excess wear and tear as defined in the lease contract, $0.20/mile over 10,000 miles per year and a disposition fee of $350 due at lease end. Purchase option at lease end for $14,850. Excludes tax title and dealer fees. Subject to credit approval. Must take delivery by August 2, 2010. Visit East Bay MINI for complete program details.

Jim McDowell RE-CHALLENGES PORSCHE TO RACE

Jim McDowell re-challenges Porsche at Road Atlanta. Watch the video:

MINI vs Porsche by Jim McDowell

View the video of Jim McDowell proposing MINI vs. Porsche Race on June 21st, 2010 at Road Atlanta.

Want to See a MINI vs. Porsche

MINI VS. PORSCHE.

In case you haven't heard, MINI has challenged Porsche to a race. That's right. MINI Cooper vs. Porsche 911 on June 21st, 2010. Mano a mano (or auto a auto). To encourage them to show up,we're going to send them a petition full of e-signatures from eager race fans like yourself. Want to make it happen?

ITS ON.

We've gone ahead and challenged Goliath and we need your help to make sure he steps up and accepts. Sign the petition and help ensure that Porsche accepts our challenge and shows up on June 21st. We need all the support we can get.

THE COLD HARD FACTS.

Get a sense of what both the MINI Cooper S and the Porsche 911 Carrera S are packing under their respective bonnets and boots. You'll see that the Porsche may have more power, but there is no accounting for heart. And we've got that in spades.

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SIGN UP

Aftermarket vs. Factory MINI Parts

California Congresswoman takes saw to vehicle safety parts
California Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) launched her exploration of the structural differences between certain vehicle safety parts by sawing through an aftermarket reinforcement bar in her San Mateo district office in May. The reciprocating saw she used didn’t dent the bar from the vehicle manufacturer.

Speier, author of California's anti-steering law, stated, "I'm concerned that vehicle owners who've been in an accident are unaware that replacing a reinforcement bar with one not designed by the manufacturer may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants in a subsequent collision. Airbag deployment can be thrown off by a reinforcement bar that doesn't absorb shock in the way intended by the vehicle manufacturer."

Speier conducted the test with the help of two collision industry experts: Lee Amardio, president of the Collision Repair Association of California and Allen Wood, the association’s executive director. Amaradio stated, "The congresswoman has always taken time to hear our industry's concerns. The issue of aftermarket safety parts is of national importance. Hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners are driving around in repaired cars that won't withstand a collision the way the manufacturer intended." Speier said that the use of vehicle safety aftermarket parts have been pushed by certain insurers that apparently want to save money without regard for passenger safety. "I am opposed to reengineering a vehicle through the claims process," she said. "Parts such as reinforcement bars that affect the vehicle safety restraint system should not be replaced by parts of inferior quality."

She said she would be contacting the appropriate regulators to determine what is being done to inform consumers about the installation of aftermarket safety parts. She said she was also concerned about reports that many inferior aftermarket parts are made overseas and shipped to the United States without adequate manufacturer information stamped on the parts, as required by California law.

"My first step will be to assess how well California and federal laws covering vehicle repair, including insurance benefits for collision work, are being enforced," stated Speier. "Additionally, I want to determine the extent to which unsafe parts made overseas are finding their way into shops in this country."
Speier invited interested parties to contact her district director, Richard Steffen, at 650-342-0300.

Publish date: May 18, 2010 on http://www.search-autoparts.com/

CUSTOMIZE A GRAPHIC FOR YOUR MINI

Let your MINI be more than a car--make it a lifestyle. MINI now offers endless "you-ification" (customization) by letting you create a custom graphic design for your MINI.

East Bay MINI is thrilled to announce incredible enhancements to help you create a customized graphic for your MINI at http://www.minimotoringgraphics.com/.
The MINI custom graphics program allows MINI customers to design unique MINI custom graphics (any vinyl graphics like roof graphics, stripes, side panels, badges or stickers) or to choose from various available designs from the website.

For more information on how to build and order your custom graphic, contact East Bay MINI.