I currently get GoMini from the UK but is there a good US Mini mag?

 

To the best of my knowledge, the answer is a resounding "NO". I start calling Borders about 3 weeks after the UK release date of GOMINI asking if they have received the new issue. Usually at about 4 weeks out, they say they have the new issue and I rush over to get my copy.

 

do you subscribe to GoMni?

I have had no luck finding in the Birmingham, AL area.

 

GoMini seems to be sporadically sold in the States. I have been purchasing it from the UK. I don't think overall it has a very big circulation. I travel in Europe a lot and have never seen it any newstand or bookstore. Not to say it isn't sold there, but not wide enough for me to ever see it.

The magazine to me is mediocre. It does have great pictures and I give it a big thumbs up. I also like the interviews such as with AmD and Mike Cooper and others. I really wish that they gave real in depth review of products, and some simple road tests of the vehicles they look at. It seems that it is filled mostly with Reader's Rides. There is no review of things that the user has done, or more in depth description of the mods. I like seeing the pics of the Reader's Rides. Just wish there was more in depth articles about them. I think the articles are very shallow. I think a big advantage this magazine has and something that is truly missing from this community is side by side reviews of items. It would be great to see exhausts side by side, and other things. In depth review of products out there would be extremely beneficial. One example of weak journalism/product review is the review of the Superchips product that they wrote up a few issues ago. Basically Superchips is claiming @35hp increase with their chip. Anyone who has spent time in this community and has any common sense, would realize that there is no way they are getting 35hp from just a chip upgrade. No one with real numbers has come close to this ever. I wish the magazine did a little more in depth discussion and indicate if it really gave 35hp from an independent dyno.

I know they don't have a lot of money, but there are a lot of small magazines that give a lot of in depth articles and reviews. I also think that it would also increase sales of the magazine, if it was known as a harder hitting periodical.

Just some of my thoughts.

 

There aren't any U.S. MINI mags I'm aware of at this point. The best and most cutting-edge info, imo, is here on NAM, MotoringFile, and at local club sites (...one can branch off of these to other useful sites, too). All in all...that's a lot of pretty good info.....or at least opinions.

I do subscribe to GoMINI, though, and I have to say I really enjoy it. I agree, there's room for further development, but overall I'm quite pleased. For me, the MINI-centric interviews with the likes of Mike Cooper, Russ Swift, Murray Walker, and Jeremy Clarkson are well worth the price. I also enjoy the Euro-perspective on the whole MINI scene. For someone looking for US-specific info and comparisons on products, yeah, it'd be pretty frustrating.

I'm not modding my Cooper much, so a subscription to GoMINI is simply a nice way to feed, care for, and nurture my own personal MINI-addiction.

 

GoMini can be sometimes be found at most Tower Records stores. Most Barnes & Noble stores also stock the NewMini magazine from time to time. There is not an American MINI magazine - yet. Dennis Racine - Don from Mini Mania's son - published an excellent Mini magazine called American Mini in the early 90s but it folded several years ago. With the new MINIs now in the USA and the subsequent potential for ad revenue, I believe the market is ripe. If somebody does not jump on this soon you can expect to see your's truly at the helm.

 

All right, A new magizne is coming out. Sign me up .

I would be willing to take a one year subscreption if someone comes out with a new magazine. Also, if they do I would be willing to give them some time getting it right...better articles and such...before complaining about them. So if you are up to it go for it.

Earl

 

Breast Magazine??!! Oh, sorry, I misread the thread (talk about the subconscious causing dyslexia) Anyhoo! the best source for UK car rags (including Go MINI) in the US and North America is:


http://www.ewa1.com/mags.html

While I don't currently subscribe to GoMINI, I have used EWA in the past for other UK sourced mags like Motorsport and MG World. They are a top flight organization and have always treated me fairly.

 

I do agree that GOmini is a bit shallow in their articles, but they are just getting started...i personally get mine at Borders, they seem to always have the new issue. During my last visit, i found another UK MINI magazine called "NEW MINI". They actually have a how-to section complete with full color pictures( a very cool thing to have in my opinion) The articles still seem to be pretty shallow, but they give a very informative list of all the modifications the car has. It's their first issue, but i found it rather interesting...now all we need is a US version, or atleast a cheap subscription/postage price

 

You can go on their website and subscribe....... I think there is a lot of room for improvement but I like the photography. 35 hp from a chip is a bit much and we don't care about making a Mini One as fast as a Cooper etc.

 

I think shallowness of articles should not be pinned on starting out, as much as the editorial staff. I have seen many magazines both big and small, with large budgets and no budgets start out with great articles. I think some of it has to do with a European view of the magazine. There are less discussion of performance or serious mods, and more cosmetic modification articles. In fact if you look at most of the articles, the cars they look at in Europe or more based on cosmetic changes, while many of the US cars they review or either more performance based or heavily modded. This isn't a hard fast categorization, but more of a generalization across all of the cars featured. Not to say there is anything bad with either review. I like cosmetic changes as well as performance changes. Also, dyno numbers in Europe are all over the board, especially with overly optimistic calculations of drivetrain loss. It is quite common to see European retailers saying that a pully and intake will increase your bhp by 40 or more. While this doesn't explain all of it, I think it gives some indication to the direction of the magazine.


Don't get me wrong. I still like things about the magazine and have bought every issue. I just think it could improve considerably. It also may be an indication that the US should try a shot at a MINI magazine.

 

Ya, i agree with you on that, they mainly focus on a lot of the cosmetic details. And you are right, this is typically a european thing, which i think is due to that fact that performance mods raise their insurance, even just a small intake . That being sad, its still fun to see all the pictures, and read the interviews, its better then nothing . I'm sure one printed in the US would do really well though (hint, hints )