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Drive On The Left | The List #0033

When you've been driving on the right side of the road your whole life, driving on the left can be incredibly disorienting. In this episode of The List, hosts Jessi Combs and Patrick McIntyre brave the traffic-filled streets of London as they take in the sights in a Mini Cooper. "London is not a driving city. There are millions of people and millions of cars," said Patrick. "And the streets seem to have been laid out at random over the centuries." Even Jessi found herself battling old habits in the right-hand drive Mini. "I've already gone over to reach for the door twice to shift it," she said. Our hosts dig into the history behind the traffic swap on the other side of the pond as they attempt to check "Drive On The Left" off their List. Click here to find more episodes of The List Click here to learn more about our hosts, Jessi and Patrick MINI Coupe The List Videos Original Video right hand drive

John Cooper Works Mini rolls into Detroit, asks 'GTI who?'

Mini marched into the 2015 Detroit Auto Show and introduced its very own competitor to the Volkswagen GTI with new John Cooper Works Hardtop. Blessed with 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet from its 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, the new JCW should provide a more thrilling drive than the standard Cooper S (not that the 189-hp model lacked in terms of entertainment value). The 6.4-second sprint to 60 falls to 6.1 in the JCW, while owners should expect an even more agile handling experience courtesy of an uprated version of the Cooper S' sports suspension. Upgraded Brembo brakes, larger wheels and stickier tires and an electronic differential round out the performance upgrades, although Mini also paid significant attention to the aesthetics. A revised aero kit doesn't do the third-generation Works car many favors in the appearance department, but as both driver and front passengers will find themselves in a set of exclusive JCW sports seats, they'll probably be too comfortable and supportive to care. A JCW steering wheel, shift lever, door sills and instrument cluster tweaks mark the extent of the interior updates. Take a look at our full live gallery of images of the new JCW Mini direct from the floor of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. The new MINI John Cooper Works. 10.12.2014 - Green light for the latest edition of the top athlete in the small car segment; the new MINI John Cooper Works combines authentic race feeling with the premium characteristics and extended product substance of the latest MINI Generation; distinctive, tradition-steeped, based on a vehicle concept combining MINI and John Cooper Works, with performance qualities which are exceptional within the competitive environment. - Extreme driving fun and exclusive charisma based on technology for engine, suspension and aerodynamics derived directly from motor racing as well as model-specific design features for the exterior and interior; greater differentiation from the MINI 3 door highlights the model's individual character.

Judge to approve settlement of Mini CVT lawsuits

BMW has agreed to settle a number of class-action lawsuits out of court. The suits stem from drivetrain issues on the 2001 to 2006 R50 Mini Cooper - in particular, its continuously variable transmission. The transmission was known to fail, often without warning on otherwise healthy and well-maintained vehicles. This wasn't the only major issue to afflict the original BMW-era Mini models.
According to legal site Topclassactions.com, the suits alleged that BMW knowingly hid the defects in the CVT from customers while informing dealers of the issue. The first suit was filed in 2011, while four additional suits have followed. Now, BMW has reportedly settled, offering to reimburse 1,200 owners that needed repairs within eight years or 150,000 miles of their purchase. Repair prices for the transmission range from $6,000 to $9,000.
Under the agreement, BMW will also offer up to $4,100 to members of the suit that had fixes performed at a third-party shop, while owners who sold their cars at a loss due to the issues are slated to receive up to $2,000. Finally, owners who are part of the suit will be warrantied for a further eight years and 150,000 miles.