Customer Reviews

Motoring: Getting the Maximum from Your New Mini

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This book is a fun read. I bought the book to learn more about the new BMW mini. The writing style is similar to a long article in a car magazine about what to look for when you buy the car and how to get the maximum performance for the minimum price. For example, they tell you to ditch the leather seats, cruise control and sunroof, since it doesn't add to performance. The S model is a no brainer, but they think you can do better aftermarket than by buying the factory JCW package. Nevertheless, it would have been nice if they factored in the impact of the modifications on resale value. I suspect the JCW may cost a bit more than an aftermarket mod, but the JCW probably holds its value better than an after-market modded Mini S. There are some fun tips on driving and racing your mini, with examples and descriptions of different modifications. I think any mini owner or perspective mini owner would enjoy this book, since it is written by some real enthusiasts.

So let's say you've decided that sitting on the sidelines and watching others at play is no longer enough. You want to try your hand at competition driving with your New Mini, but don't really know how to get started. That's where Gary Anderson's "Motoring" book comes in. First of all, Gary was the editor of "British Car" magazine and is a pretty fair vintage racing driver. In this book, he teams up with Don Racine, owner of Mini Mania, the premier shop for all things Mini (old and new,) and a longtime racer and car collector. Together, they guide you through the world of autocross, road racing and high-performance road driving, while explaining what modifications are appropriate for your New Mini at each stage of the game. What's more, there are driving tips and suggestions what to bring along to make your first experiences more fun and less stressful. If it were just for newcomers, the book would be worth the price of admission, but even long-time racers will find worthwhile information in this book. Lastly, if you haven't yet purchased your New Mini, buy this book first, as Gary tells you what options you want (and which ones you don't want!) as you outfit your New Mini for maximum motoring.

A well thought out and logical sequence from choosing your MINI thru to track day racing. Some of the information is basic but as basics are sometimes forgotten they are worth including. If this is (or is about to be) your first MINI you should buy this book.

Several interesting chapters but this book is written by an amateur writer with poor grammar and many misspelled words. Glossy like a magazine with lots of subtle advertising. Lots of discussion of aftermarket parts and their cost and where to find them. If you are looking for guidance in upgrading the engine, drive train, brakes, suspension, tiires and wheels then this is probably for you.