Replacing The Emergency Brake Handle on a Mini Cooper

If you want to spice up the interior of your MINI Cooper then you can change the e-brake handle very easily and replacement e-brake handles are cheap. MINI Coopers are all about customization and you can make a big impact with a small and quick change by using a new e-brake handle. Whats more, changing it is so fast that you can almost change the e-brake handle to suit your mood. MINI's estimated time for the procedure is about 15 minutes, as listed on their instructions for changing the handle. Once you have chosen your e-brake handle then use the steps below to replace it.

Step 1

Remove the cap holding the top of the e-brake handle in place. Squeeze it gently and the clips should release, although you may need to use a screw driver to pry it off a little.

Step 2

Remove the e-brake handle itself by raising the clip at the front with a small screwdriver. The emergency brake handle will slide forwards. It doesnt need to move all the way off but it should be loose.

Step 3

Use the screwdriver to get down between the oval plastic piece at the bottom of the shift boot and the console. There are three clips to release, one at the front and one on each side. Once youve unclipped those the boot should be loose, along with the plastic piece at the bottom.

Step 4

Turn the boot inside out and cut the zip tie holding it to the emergency brake handle. The e-brake handle should then be free to slide off the lever. Slide it off and replace it with the new one you have chosen.

Step 5

With the new e-brake handle now on the lever you should reattach it to the shift boot. There may be a zip tie for this purpose or there may be a small screw, depending on which handle you purchased.

Step 6

Push the oval boot base down firmly into the console to reattach it and then push the emergency brake handle firmly down onto the lever, which should reattach it. Obviously, if you have already screwed it in place then this step is not needed. You can then reattach the cap by pushing it into place.

These steps will help you put a brand new e-brake handle into the interior of your mini cooper which will really spice up the interior. While performing the installation be careful not to break any of the pastic tabs on the parts of the e-brake handle as they are very fragile. Once you've avoided that then be sure to enjoy your fancy e-brake handle.

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Car Reviews: 2009 Mini Cooper

Most consumers look at a small sized automobile and automatically assume it has a small price and bare-bones features, That consumer would be dead wrong if they saw a 2009 Mini Cooper, although not extremely cheap, it is reasonably priced with a ton of advanced features. Starting at a manufacturers suggested retail price of $19,200 the 2009 Mini Cooper is actually quite a bargain, considerate of it being a sports/luxury/economy car all in one. With gas mileage of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway, the 2009 Mini Cooper will save a good deal of money at the pump.

The overall performance of the 2009 Mini Cooper is excellent, with a 1.6 Liter overhead cam, 16-valve 4 cylinder engine and a 6 speed manual transmission. With a MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, and electric variable power assisted steering the 2009 Mini Cooper rides and maneuvers well. 4 wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake distribution and all season traction control make this car a dependable ride in all conditions.

On the exterior the 2009 Mini Cooper offers 15 inch allot wheels with a 5-star spooler design, a chrome grille and body color sport bumpers. Top this off with a single chrome tailpipe, wide opening front doors and hatch, and power exterior mirrors and the 2009 Mini Cooper will turn some heads.

On the interior the 2009 Mini Cooper is full of comfort, style and class. 6 way adjustable seats with adjustable headrests, leatherette upholstery, and ambient lighting set the mood nicely. A 3 spoke leather steering wheel with a tilt steering wheel column and an on board computer that indicates fuel, speed and outside temperature are incredible. The sound system in the 2009 Mini Cooper consists of an AM/FM stereo with a CD player and 6 quality speakers. The final touches are a vehicle monitor system with a pictogram display, an electronic digital clock and 3 cup holders.

For most people who purchase a smaller car safety is important, and the 2009 Mini Cooper is loaded with quality safety features. Driver and front passenger front and side airbags, advanced crumple zones and side impact door beams protect occupants well. Remote keyless entry and an engine immobilizer are features most often found on more expensive vehicles, but on the 2009 Mini Cooper they are standard.

Al in all, a consumer would be hard pressed to find a better combination of positive attributes than are present in the 2009 Mini Cooper.

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2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible Test Drive Review

We've been driving the new MINI Cooper S Convertible in Austria.

Thanks to MINI we've been able to spend almost six hours behind the wheel of the all new MINI Convertible, with the roof down, on some of the most enjoyable series of roads we've ever encountered. In the snow. And in temperatures as low as -6 Celsius. Madness.

The new Convertible carries over it's styling from the second generation MINI, so there's not very much to report on in terms of the bodywork below the waist, although there are some small but significant differences from both the previous generation Convertible, and the hatch back variant of the second generation MINI.

One change that only a keen MINI spotter would notice at first is the fuel filler cap, as with the first generation MINI Convertible, this moves slightly backwards and upwards, and is actually minutely smaller in overall diameter. This is more by necessity than choice, thanks to the workings of the hood which are neatly tucked in behind the rear panels. Also neatly tucked in this time around are the boot hinges. Gone are the retro style, but perhaps rather cumbersome, external boot hinges, replaced by a more complex and tidy internal hinge system. But despite the apparent diminutive size of the new hangers, the boot lid can still take up to 80kg in weight resting on it "for tailgate parties" as Marcus Syring, who is responsible for exterior design, put it.

The new hood is pretty similar in style to that fitted to the model it replaces, so there's not much to report there , but the fabric is different, hopefully improved (no more wear marks this time please MINI!) and features what MINI described as improved channeling of rain water around the front windows, so hopefully no more soggy seats and laps for MINI owners and their passengers who live in damper climes! The rear window is once again glass and heated, and the whole package folds down pretty neatly, considering the packaging limitations. The hidden rear anti-roll over bars also improve both the look of the rear of the car and rearward visibility for the driver, so that's a positive on two counts.

Inside, the styling too is carried over from the hatchback, the over head switch panel gains a toggle for the roof, and feels much nicer and more suitable than the BMW-borrowed switchgear of its predecessor. In fact, the second generation MINI Convertible overall feels very much like the previous generation, but with the little bugbears ironed out or fettled to improve the overall experience.

On the road the Cooper S Convertible can take pretty much anything that comes its way. Including snow, ice, dramatic twisty mountain passes.... Which is just as well, as these were all prevalent on the chosen test route, as crazy as the chocolate box location seemed at first, it turned out BMW knew exactly what they were doing when they chose it. There is a small difference between the handling of the soft top and the hatch, but less than you may expect, and certainly nothing that dampens the enjoyment of the car, it's 10kg lighter and yet 10% stiffer than before, with reinforcements in the familiar locations of the sill panels, under seat cross members, front screen surround and such.

Of course, with the second generation MINI Cooper S we waved goodbye to the supercharger whine, and while that is sadly lacking from the experience, the exhaust tone, turbo noise and relatively low wind noise make for a very pleasurable aural experience. Especially enjoyable when following other test cars on the more challenging roads, flanked by firs and with lots of lifting off and powering down, the noise certainly raised a smile from us.

We've always been a fan of the MINI Convertible, and the second generation really does little than take the first attempt and further refine and improve on an already strong performer. The design feels more complete, BMW bosses admitted that with the first generation the only initial design consideration was the hatch back, no serious thought was given to any variants, with the new Convertible and the Clubman before it, it shows that the range has benefited from this forethought, the car looks neatly poised and well balanced.

So on the plus side you have better MPG (up over 20%), reduced CO2 emissions (down 20%), and a lighter, stronger car, which performs brilliantly in the most challenging driving conditions for a small soft top vehicle. On the downside, there's not much to think of really, rear visibility isn't as good as the hatch, but that's a given with a fabric roof, and perhaps one touch roof operation would be a nice feature, but that would come at the cost of the "sunroof" function, but other than that the new MINI Convertible takes an already successful and popular formula, and just tweaks it hear and there, ties up a few lose ends, and presents a more finished product. Very well done.

For a more in depth analysis, and photos from the Austrian test event, check out theSwitchback.com

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Ten Best Biker Movies

Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler in The Wild One (1953)

Biker movies occupy their own sub-genre in Hollywood. Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern and even Joe Namath have all appeared in biker films.

Here are ten classic motorcycle movies from the Golden Age of biker films spanning the 1950s to the 1970s. Start your engines, mama, because we're in for a hell of a ride...

The Wild One (Columbia, 1953)

Marlon Brando stars as Johnny Strabler in what many consider to be the granddaddy of outlaw biker movies. The sulking, hard-riding Johnny heads the Black Rebels motorcycle gang while rival Chino (Lee Marvin) is point man for the Beatles. Both gangs descend on the small town of Wrightsville, California, where the local yokels are caught in the middle of the ensuing biker war. Both Brando and Marvin are slovenly decked out in biker regalia for their bad boy roles. Brando and the Black Rebels ride British Triumphs while Marvin and the Beatles opt for American Harley Davidsons.

Easy Rider (Columbia, 1969)

Disaffected free spirits Wyatt a.k.a. Captain America (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) chopper down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras after scoring a drug deal in L.A. Along the way they pick up alcoholic lawyer George Hanson (Jack Nicholson), who is beaten to death by a virulent tribe of southern rednecks. Customized motorcycles, drugs, prostitution, rock music, hippies and sex form a psychedelic partnership in this classic biker flick, whose tagline announced, "A man went looking for America. And couldn't find it anywhere..."

The Wild Angels (American International, 1966)

Peter Fonda plays Heavenly Blues, the leader of a Hell's Angels chapter operating out of Venice, California. Also along for the ride are biker girl Mike a.k.a. Monkey (Nancy Sinatra), best buddy Joe Kearns a.k.a. Loser (Bruce Dern) and motorcycle mama Gavish (Diane Ladd). There's plenty of rough biker action in this flick, with several real-life Hell's Angels used as extras. Bruce Dern was actually cold-cocked by two Hell's Angels during the funeral scene, who weren't buying his explanation that he was acting in a movie.

Peter Fonda and Nancy Sinatra in The Wild Angels (1966)

The Born Losers (American International, 1967)

Tom Laughlin stars as Billy Jack, an ex-Green Beret Vietnam War vet who uses his martial arts skills to battle a violent biker gang in a small California town. Elizabeth James plays Vicky Barrington with Jeremy Slate as Danny Carmody, the leader of the Born Losers motorcycle club whose other members include Child (William Wellman Jr.), Cueball (Robert Tessier) and Gangrene (Jeff Cooper). The Born Losers introduced Laughlin as the high-kicking, loner Vietnam War vet who would later shoot to fame in the 1971 sleeper hit Billy Jack.

The Hard Ride (American International, 1971)

Robert Fuller stars as Phil, who returns home from the Vietnam War and fulfills his promise to a dying friend to take care of his buddy's chopper "Baby." Phil also meets up with his friend's girl Sheryl (Sherry Bain) and a virulent biker gang, with the violent climax taking place in the remote desert. Tony Russel and William Bonner plays biker Big Red and Grady, respectively, with Bill Medley, Junction, the Arrows, Paul Wibier, Bob Moline and Thelma Comacho contributing their talents to the hip soundtrack.

The Hard Ride (1971) one sheet movie poster with Robert Fuller and Sherry Bain

Hell's Angels on Wheels (U.S. Films, 1967)

Adam Roarke stars as Buddy, an outlaw biker who heads a chapter of the Hell's Angels. Jack Nicholson plays Poet, a bored gas station attendant who aspires to be one of the gang and who later develops a "thing" for biker babe Shill (Sabrina Scharf). There's plenty of motorcycle mayhem in this picturing, including wild partying and the Angels' continuing battle with square society. Jack Nicholson makes due with the skimpy material afforded him in one of his early film roles.

C.C. and Company (AVCO Embassy, 1970)

Super Bowl III hero and fabled New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath stars as C.C. Ryder, an ex-grease monkey who hooks up with the Heads motorcycle gang. Joe rescues fashion journalist Ann McCalley (Ann-Margret) from biker ruffians and locks horns with Heads gang leader Moon (William Smith) following a motocross. Check out the colorful mama/gang member monikers in this flick: Pom Pom (Jennifer Billingsley), Rabbit (Mike Battle), Lizard (Greg Mullavey), Pig (Teda Bracci), Crow (Sid Haig), Captain Midnight (Bruce Glover) and Zit-Zit (Jacquie Rohr). Mitch Ryder performs the movie's title song, "C.C. Rider." Ann-Margret's husband Roger Smith wrote the screenplay.

The Mini-Skirt Mob (American International, 1968)

Diane McBain stars as Shayne, the leader of a leggy, all-female outlaw biker gang known as the Mini-Skirt Mob. The girls prefer lightweight Hondas as their means of transportation, raising unrelenting hell when Shayne enlists their support along with biker Lon (Jeremy Slate) in her campaign against ex-beau Ross Hagen (Jeff Logan) and his new bride Connie (Sherry Jackson). This movie is a real gas, with the girls running around in micro-mini skirts and go-go boots. "Nothing is more vicious than a scorned, guilt-ridden blonde," the movie trailer announces. Talk about your cat fight!

The Mini-Skirt Mob (1968) one sheet movie poster with Diane McBain

Werewolves on Wheels (Fanfare Corporation, 1971)

Horror and hell-raising come together in this wild biker film starring Steve Oliver as Adam and D.J. Anderson as Helen. When the outlaw biker gang The Devil's Advocates seek greater understanding at a monastery they get more than they reckoned for from a band of black-robed, devil-worshipping monks. Loaded to the gills with free wine, the drunken gang members trash the monastery and beat up its owners, only to have a curse placed on one of their mamas who is transformed into a werewolf. Look for Billy Gray (Bud Anderson of TV's Father Knows Best) and singer Barry McGuire ("The Eve of Destruction"), who play Phil and Scarf, respectively. Far out!

The Glory Stompers (American International, 1968)

Dennis Hopper plays tough guy Chino, the leader of the Black Souls motorcycle gang. Chino and his grubby clan capture rival Glory Stompers gang leader Darryl (Jody McCrea) along with his girlfriend Chris (Chris Noel). Leaving Darryl for dead in the woods following a vicious stomping, the Black Souls head to the Mexican border where they plan to sell Chris to white slave traders. A vengeful Darryl and former Glory Stomper Smiley (Jock Mahoney) track down Chino and his boys where a biker battle royal ensues. The Glory Stompers is a favorite of director Quentin Tarantino.

The Glory Stompers (1968) half sheet poster with Dennis Hopper

TenMore Golden Age Biker Movie Favorites

Additional Reading

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Tamiya RC Cars

Tamiya is famous for manufacturing excellent automobile miniatures. They have introduced competitive mini 4WD racing to the world as well as the world to RC cars. There are several models in the Tamiya RC car collection which showcase the company's competence in designing car models.

Check out a few Tamiya RC car models:

Tamiya RC car Nitro Crusher model features a dominant FS-15S engine which has a big slide carburetor for getting good speed. There is a precision brake system in the engine which guarantees safety in operation. It comes in the shape of a monster truck. You can drive it over different kinds of terrain very easily with its numerous features. There are extra-large tires which are ideal for mud, rocks or sand. It also comes with a front impact control system which lets you run it stably irrespective of the obstacles you face.

Mini cooper is the same favorite car of Mr. Bean. This Tamiya RC car model is based on the 1960's car. It is legendary for the size and dominant performance. Mini cooper has been known to do very well in competitions such as world rally championship. Tamiya RC car model has an M-03 chassis which has been particularly designed to be fast. The suspension which is double wishbone has been made to be stabile and offers good handling to the model. This RC car is electric and the batteries make it heavy. There is a unique hole in the chassis to make sure that this Tamiya RC car runs well in spite of the weight.

Subaru Impreza WRC Monte Carlo model of Tamiya RC car has been made for a novel style of racingit drifts. The chassis of the car, TT-01D has been manufactured with light materials and has been particularly crafted for lower center of gravity. This ensures that the Subaru Impreza Tamiya RC car model will not topple when you "drift" it. You may be wondering about the benefits of drift racing. During regular turns, the car has a tendency to drop speed but with drifting, the car is able to keep accurate control and best speed. There may be a chance of something not working properly and that is why this RC car is designed to precision.

XBG Nitro Force is able to reach incredible high speeds and this Tamiya RC car model is surely a force to consider. It has been powered by a FR-S glow precision engine and uses a recoil starter for immediate start each time. The model of Tamiya RC car chassis is made of a toughened resin frame which has a low center of gravity which makes it very stable to drive.

XBG Nitro Force model of Tamiya RC car comes with an aerodynamic frame to ensure that wind does not slow the speed. Ultimately when you are looking for a Tamiya RC car which satisfies your wish to challenge gravity, you should get this car.

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Mini Suv Comes w/ New Led Lighting System

MINI Cooper S Countryman is a mini SUV. No, really. Its a MINI SUV.

For the first time in the MINIs history, its been jacked up, given extra doors, and all-wheel drive. Its called the Countryman ALL4, and its labelled a Sport Activity Vehicle. That means, of course, it can climb a kerb, but when you look at pictures of it, youll wonder if it will climb much more than that.

Well, not really. At 149mm, its ground clearance is never going to challenge a Prado, but it does mean that the extra spring travel gives you a much softer ride than the standard Cooper S. Also, due to its taller nature, the Countryman doesnt quite change directions like a housefly, but it still handles better than just about any SUV on sale today, bar the X5/X6M twins.

The thing is, its only slightly raised, but has all-wheel drive. Kinda sounds a bit rally-ish, doesnt it? Well, thats exactly what the Countryman is setting out to do. MINI has entered the WRC this year with the Countryman, and with experienced rally company Prodrive, MINI is hoping to give the establishment a shake-up. What about the road-going version, though? How will it fare when faced with an unsealed road?

Very well, as it turns out. During the week of testing, we had the opportunity to enjoy some sand and gravel driving, with the Countrymans ALL4 all-wheel drive system reacting very well. Like all predominantly front-wheel drive SUVs, the Countrymans power diverts to the back wheels when called upon. Usually, thats too late. But the Countrymans system reacts swiftly and provides excellent grip (and drive) where needed.

On the road, that means it doesnt spin up the inside wheel when coming out of a corner, like a large roundabout. It simply grips and goes. All the while youre feeling what the car is doing through the fabulous steering.

Yes, its electric, and yes, around dead-centre and low speeds it can feel a bit lacklustre. But when youre pressing on, and the speed rises, it turns in sharply and gives brilliant weighting. Its definitely a drivers car, from a feel point-of-view.

Inside, the MINI Countrymans back seats boast enough room for adults (its still a MINI, remember) with enough leg room (theyre adjustable) and good head room, too. The Countryman comes standard with four seats, but at no cost you can option a bench seat for the second row. Given the width of the MINI, four seats work just fine; if youre going to be seating five people often, then a MINI probably isnt going to suit your lifestyle.

The four-seat configuration has a center rail that runs the length of the cabin, and can fit phone-holders, glass cases and cup holders for both front seats and rear passengers. It also lights up at night when bathed in the LED lighting which can cycle through the color spectrum. This is called Ambient Illumination, and its very cool.

In fact, the LED LIGHTS from behind the curved recesses of the door trims, from above in the overhead lighting panel, and behind the door handles. The level of LED Bulbs can also be altered from soft glow to night-club-like, especially in the rich blue.

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UC Browser 7.6 Officially Release----Bring Full Mobile Life to You

The highlights of UC Browser 7.6 are:

Let's see the features one by one:

"If you can't install, please try Java Unsigned Version, or visit wap.ucweb.com".

About UC

UC is a strong application service provider from China, with the cutting edge technique of the Mobile Web. UC focuses on serving faster, more stable and flexible Internet experience to users.

In Apr 2004, UC launched its core product UC Browser, which now runs on almost any mobile platform - Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Symbian, WinCE, bada, Java, MTK, Brew etc. More than 3000 phone models in 200 brands can perfectly support UC Browser. With UC Browser, mobile users can easily get online service, such as web news, web games, e-commerce, and so forth. By Mar 2011, UC Browser have served more than 150 countries and areas, and got more than 700 million downloads. Per month, 200 million users visits 60 billion pages through UC Browser, which ranked 1st in the world.

UC cooperates with mobile network operators, phone manufacturers and content providers widely, deeply and sincerely, to establish a healthy Mobile Web ecosystem.

UC's philosophy is to help users access and enjoy the Mobile Web. UC's target is to become the largest technology services around the Mobile Web. UC's ideal is to provide at least half of the world population the most open, convenient service from the Mobile Web.

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Ds3 Test Citroen 1.6 Thp 150 Hp

Formula for success

The advertising slogan for this model focuses on one word "antiretro", this means that when developing the DS3 have preferred a fresh start and do not draw on any model of the past to no limitations are imposed, a very successful for make optimum use of space. But to name this new series, chose the name of one of our most distinguished of its past: the Citroen DS, known as Shark in Spain and launched in 1955. Leaving aside this small advertising minor contradiction, these two letters are the beginning of a new series of models that are situated just a step above current C models, that is to be come a DS4 and DS5 during 2011. The first thing almost everyone says to see the DS3 is "reminds me of the Mini. " Actually that is the objective pursued by the French brand. Citroen have been well studied in its jurisdiction of Alfa, Fiat or Mini and have selected the most interesting and best work of all of them to produce the first offspring of a new generation of Citroen with aspira tions Premium

More quality

As we sat in the DS3 we find higher quality materials than usual, everywhere we look we appreciate all you are good fits and higher quality plastic than the average. Being based on the platform of the Citroen C3 we can say that space is quite reasonable and well spent. Maybe the ceiling lower than the C3 you to lose height for passengers but the fact of not being inspired by models of the past, like its rivals, allows them to offer more space. In the rear of the DS3 two adults can sit comfortably and three a bit tight. The design of the dashboard collapsed on the right side located right where the glove makes it can scratch a few inches for releasing the rear seat passenger of the right if necessary. We have not seen other interior finish DS3 but what is clear is that the Sport trim we can not find a single hit. The whole design of the box, console and various finishes are really good, worthy of a sports car of a higher segment. All controls and knobs have a solid feel and a ppearance to raise questions why not make all to these aesthetic parameters and quality.Citroen

The range

The starting price for the DS3 is of 15,100 euros. This corresponds to the version of 1.4 liters gasoline of 95 horses. The rest of the cast is completed by the motor 1.6 of 120 and 150 horsepower, the latter is the one that illustrates our test and its price rises to 19,700 euros. For diesel mechanics is the starting price of 17,700 euros, 1.6 HDI 90 hp. The ceiling on price range puts 110 hp version with 20,000 euros. The standard features from the basic version, 8 airbags, ESP, traction control, gear shift indicator, regulator, speed limiter, etc, but we can also add a huge variety of customization options. Along with the four colors available for the roof: black, white, blue and brown in the interior can choose from eight in the dashboard. mirrors chrome, different finishes for the exterior of the body paint and adhesives for the roof; leopard, polka dots are some of them. The front LED lights are also part of the optional and at extra cost of 260 euros. Other options su ch as the browser they are included within a large aid package that includes the parking and air conditioning among many other extras, is priced at 1,874 euros.

Driving behavior

Although the base of DS3 is the humble C3, driving has little to do between them. It is evident throughout the range DS and especially in this version, which puts Citroen special care to provide stability over the medium and the rest of its range, an effort that seeks to turn the leadership of the DS3 in fun and effective. The optional 17-inch tires on our unit information transmitted to the steering wheel just to realize its full potential. The management of all controls necessary and welcome. Touch and developments gearbox six-speed is complemented perfectly with the 150 horses of THP by the wisdom of their developments. On the road the sound is very contained, it shows the new insulation, and only if you force them to have some fun, hear the welcome roar of the engine, which, in our view does not seem upset.

The heart

The mechanics of this DS3 derived directly from the mounted by the Mini Cooper S and is developed jointly with BMW. The engine is a 150 horsepower 1.6-liter turbo and variable valve timing. Soft quiet and mostly fun. We tried this same mechanism installed in the Peugeot 5008 and we were surprised by its good performance and sports performance in spite of talking about a minivan over 1,500 kilos. The push into the DS3 starts from just 1,500 rpm, maximum torque is offered from 1,200, and most surprising is the ease with rises of turns, acceleration from zero to 100 kilometers per hour is 7 3 seconds. In town is very pleasant because of this quality and do not need to play around with the change to move at a pace slow and jerk never even go with some more progress.

The most exciting part comes when we change of scenery and to highways or even better, winding roads. The suspension is perfectly complemented by the motor and thus the cornering speed is very high. Much more stable than a C3, the DS3 is not balanced in strong support. Along with the lower roll and the seats offer a proper grip on the sporty, the result is a model very fun to drive, but nothing demanding cash for smooth power delivery. It is not a violent thrust in any case, it would be more fun yet, but very steady and grateful to be from a few laps.

Rivals

The DS3 is a difficult pattern to classify a segment but what is clear is that among his potential rivals in the B segment, the DS3 does stand out with their extra contribution of personality and originality. Models like the Mini, the Fiat Cinquecento or the Alfa MiTo are the three that share the philosophy of DS3 at tremendous burden of personality they have. The largest are the DS3 Citroen and Alfa Mito followed by the Mini and Cinquecento. These last drag the "burden" of having to respect the lines of their ancestors and are limited in space for reasons of design. As for the particular model of our test, the THP, compare it to his nearest rival those listed above, the Mini. The Citroen faces without complexes and with the confidence they give their weapons: more spacious, both trunk, almost double, and passengers, and also fun to drive though the Mini sets the bar very high. The DS3 others to have slightly lower prices is somewhat less sporty but not enough to complexed c ompared to Mini. However, the Mini has an excellent reputation and resale value higher than the DS3 and the other rivals. The other contender, Alfa MiTo is also a tough opponent to take into account, space, money and have a design full of character.

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Cooper Square Hotel - New York City (Nyc)

Standing tall and proud on the Bowry in the urban area of downtown Manhattan is the Cooper Square Hotel. The hotel reaches heights of 21 floors and is one of the most modern and divine hotels in the area.

With the collaboration of interior designer Antonio Citterio and exterior designer Carlos Zapata, this building has become a modern marvel in Manhattan. The Cooper Square Hotel consists of 145 rooms with each being designed and displayed to perfection. These cosmopolitan rooms have been decorated in cool earthy tones, simple furnishings such as the Italian Anchini bed linen proving simple really is better. The mini bar in the room is that of no ordinary hotel and instead of just being stocked with basic necessities such as water and snacks it is stocked with glamorous jewelry by Tina Thor and elegant makeup from Loraine.

Guests can also take advantage of some very special and personal services at the hotel such as baby sitting, limo services, free gym passes and even use the on site library which has its very own cozy fireplace. This hotel is cosmopolitan through and through and this is highlighted with the personal shopping services they offer, however should guests wish to do this themselves there is no shortage of stores with Fifth avenue being a quick cab drive away stores such as Bergdorf Goodman are there.

After shopping at 5th Avenue why not explore chic attractions such as the Greenwich village or trendy Soho.

After a day exploring this fabulous city, dining in the hotels restaurant Faustina is a must. The restaurants chef Scott Constant serves Italian inspired dishes with a divine twist such as black truffle risotto. The restaurant oozes sophistication from its warm high class decor to its wine list which features only the best beverages.

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Being the Better Patient: How to Get the Best Care from your Physician

Anytime you need to meet with a physician, whether it's your family doctor or a specialist, you need to SPEAK UP! You go to the doctor because something is wrong; hence, once you have the doctor's undivided attention, you need to tell them specifically what is wrong, in all the morbid detail. You need to include information such as length of trouble, what you think may have caused it, what makes it worse, what makes it better, and so on. Answer their questions with complete honesty, even if it's about an intimate or embarrassing detail. They can't assess and treat your problems properly, if you are unwilling to be completely honest.

Once you've explained the problem, then it's time to listen up! While they do their job for money, they also do their job to help people. If the doctor tells you to STAY OFF your bad leg, then STAY OFF your bad leg! If your physician tells you to stop eating garbage because the garbage is making you sick, then you only hurt yourself and complicate your health issues by ignoring their directions. This doesn't mean that you must go blindly in to the good night. Ask questions. Inquire about alternative treatments and medications. With time, you'll learn your doctor's personality and style of treatment, and can better communicate; however, you can't expect them to to be psychic. You must voice your concerns out loud.

When you leave the office, do what the doctor has advised you to do to alleviate the issue. Get the prescriptions. TAKE the prescriptions, AS DIRECTED, and go for further treatments or consultations as recommended. When you get home, it's time to educate yourself. You pay your doctor to treat injuries and illnesses, and they will give you a rundown of the diagnosis. However, you owe it to yourself to research and learn more on your own time. Visit websites like WebMD.com to view reports, full descriptions of illnesses and more. Get Googley. Look up your diagnosis, treatment, and learn more about what you can do to help yourself get better. Remember, that what you find outside of trusted medical websites should be taken with a grain of salt, and used only for information purposes. If you find alternative treatment options that you want to explore, consult with your doctor first!

If you struggle with attention, forgetfulness or hearing issues, bring a notebook and even a mini-tape recorder to record questions and answers. Your doctor will not fault you for taking notes, if it means you will remember and follow his or her advice!

In conclusion, be 100% honest with the doctor. When you omit details about lifestyle, symptoms, etc., this only leads to mistakes and misdiagnosis. Get a second opinion from different physicians on major surgeries or diagnoses. When you find it hard to communicate with your doctor, perhaps you may want to find a different doctor whom you are more comfortable with. Ignore the advice and suggested treatments at your own risk. Your physician treats you based upon what you have said, test results, and his or her diagnosis, to disregard the advice can lead to bigger issues down the road.

For more information about doctor/patient relationships, visit this site:

/online/famdocen/home/pat-advocacy.html

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Replacing The Emergency Brake Handle on a Mini Cooper

If you want to spice up the interior of your MINI Cooper then you can change the e-brake handle very easily and replacement e-brake handles are cheap. MINI Coopers are all about customization and you can make a big impact with a small and quick change by using a new e-brake handle. Whats more, changing it is so fast that you can almost change the e-brake handle to suit your mood. MINI's estimated time for the procedure is about 15 minutes, as listed on their instructions for changing the handle. Once you have chosen your e-brake handle then use the steps below to replace it.

Step 1

Remove the cap holding the top of the e-brake handle in place. Squeeze it gently and the clips should release, although you may need to use a screw driver to pry it off a little.

Step 2

Remove the e-brake handle itself by raising the clip at the front with a small screwdriver. The emergency brake handle will slide forwards. It doesnt need to move all the way off but it should be loose.

Step 3

Use the screwdriver to get down between the oval plastic piece at the bottom of the shift boot and the console. There are three clips to release, one at the front and one on each side. Once youve unclipped those the boot should be loose, along with the plastic piece at the bottom.

Step 4

Turn the boot inside out and cut the zip tie holding it to the emergency brake handle. The e-brake handle should then be free to slide off the lever. Slide it off and replace it with the new one you have chosen.

Step 5

With the new e-brake handle now on the lever you should reattach it to the shift boot. There may be a zip tie for this purpose or there may be a small screw, depending on which handle you purchased.

Step 6

Push the oval boot base down firmly into the console to reattach it and then push the emergency brake handle firmly down onto the lever, which should reattach it. Obviously, if you have already screwed it in place then this step is not needed. You can then reattach the cap by pushing it into place.

These steps will help you put a brand new e-brake handle into the interior of your mini cooper which will really spice up the interior. While performing the installation be careful not to break any of the pastic tabs on the parts of the e-brake handle as they are very fragile. Once you've avoided that then be sure to enjoy your fancy e-brake handle.

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Car Reviews: 2009 Mini Cooper

Most consumers look at a small sized automobile and automatically assume it has a small price and bare-bones features, That consumer would be dead wrong if they saw a 2009 Mini Cooper, although not extremely cheap, it is reasonably priced with a ton of advanced features. Starting at a manufacturers suggested retail price of $19,200 the 2009 Mini Cooper is actually quite a bargain, considerate of it being a sports/luxury/economy car all in one. With gas mileage of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway, the 2009 Mini Cooper will save a good deal of money at the pump.

The overall performance of the 2009 Mini Cooper is excellent, with a 1.6 Liter overhead cam, 16-valve 4 cylinder engine and a 6 speed manual transmission. With a MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, and electric variable power assisted steering the 2009 Mini Cooper rides and maneuvers well. 4 wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake distribution and all season traction control make this car a dependable ride in all conditions.

On the exterior the 2009 Mini Cooper offers 15 inch allot wheels with a 5-star spooler design, a chrome grille and body color sport bumpers. Top this off with a single chrome tailpipe, wide opening front doors and hatch, and power exterior mirrors and the 2009 Mini Cooper will turn some heads.

On the interior the 2009 Mini Cooper is full of comfort, style and class. 6 way adjustable seats with adjustable headrests, leatherette upholstery, and ambient lighting set the mood nicely. A 3 spoke leather steering wheel with a tilt steering wheel column and an on board computer that indicates fuel, speed and outside temperature are incredible. The sound system in the 2009 Mini Cooper consists of an AM/FM stereo with a CD player and 6 quality speakers. The final touches are a vehicle monitor system with a pictogram display, an electronic digital clock and 3 cup holders.

For most people who purchase a smaller car safety is important, and the 2009 Mini Cooper is loaded with quality safety features. Driver and front passenger front and side airbags, advanced crumple zones and side impact door beams protect occupants well. Remote keyless entry and an engine immobilizer are features most often found on more expensive vehicles, but on the 2009 Mini Cooper they are standard.

Al in all, a consumer would be hard pressed to find a better combination of positive attributes than are present in the 2009 Mini Cooper.

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2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible Test Drive Review

We've been driving the new MINI Cooper S Convertible in Austria.

Thanks to MINI we've been able to spend almost six hours behind the wheel of the all new MINI Convertible, with the roof down, on some of the most enjoyable series of roads we've ever encountered. In the snow. And in temperatures as low as -6 Celsius. Madness.

The new Convertible carries over it's styling from the second generation MINI, so there's not very much to report on in terms of the bodywork below the waist, although there are some small but significant differences from both the previous generation Convertible, and the hatch back variant of the second generation MINI.

One change that only a keen MINI spotter would notice at first is the fuel filler cap, as with the first generation MINI Convertible, this moves slightly backwards and upwards, and is actually minutely smaller in overall diameter. This is more by necessity than choice, thanks to the workings of the hood which are neatly tucked in behind the rear panels. Also neatly tucked in this time around are the boot hinges. Gone are the retro style, but perhaps rather cumbersome, external boot hinges, replaced by a more complex and tidy internal hinge system. But despite the apparent diminutive size of the new hangers, the boot lid can still take up to 80kg in weight resting on it "for tailgate parties" as Marcus Syring, who is responsible for exterior design, put it.

The new hood is pretty similar in style to that fitted to the model it replaces, so there's not much to report there , but the fabric is different, hopefully improved (no more wear marks this time please MINI!) and features what MINI described as improved channeling of rain water around the front windows, so hopefully no more soggy seats and laps for MINI owners and their passengers who live in damper climes! The rear window is once again glass and heated, and the whole package folds down pretty neatly, considering the packaging limitations. The hidden rear anti-roll over bars also improve both the look of the rear of the car and rearward visibility for the driver, so that's a positive on two counts.

Inside, the styling too is carried over from the hatchback, the over head switch panel gains a toggle for the roof, and feels much nicer and more suitable than the BMW-borrowed switchgear of its predecessor. In fact, the second generation MINI Convertible overall feels very much like the previous generation, but with the little bugbears ironed out or fettled to improve the overall experience.

On the road the Cooper S Convertible can take pretty much anything that comes its way. Including snow, ice, dramatic twisty mountain passes.... Which is just as well, as these were all prevalent on the chosen test route, as crazy as the chocolate box location seemed at first, it turned out BMW knew exactly what they were doing when they chose it. There is a small difference between the handling of the soft top and the hatch, but less than you may expect, and certainly nothing that dampens the enjoyment of the car, it's 10kg lighter and yet 10% stiffer than before, with reinforcements in the familiar locations of the sill panels, under seat cross members, front screen surround and such.

Of course, with the second generation MINI Cooper S we waved goodbye to the supercharger whine, and while that is sadly lacking from the experience, the exhaust tone, turbo noise and relatively low wind noise make for a very pleasurable aural experience. Especially enjoyable when following other test cars on the more challenging roads, flanked by firs and with lots of lifting off and powering down, the noise certainly raised a smile from us.

We've always been a fan of the MINI Convertible, and the second generation really does little than take the first attempt and further refine and improve on an already strong performer. The design feels more complete, BMW bosses admitted that with the first generation the only initial design consideration was the hatch back, no serious thought was given to any variants, with the new Convertible and the Clubman before it, it shows that the range has benefited from this forethought, the car looks neatly poised and well balanced.

So on the plus side you have better MPG (up over 20%), reduced CO2 emissions (down 20%), and a lighter, stronger car, which performs brilliantly in the most challenging driving conditions for a small soft top vehicle. On the downside, there's not much to think of really, rear visibility isn't as good as the hatch, but that's a given with a fabric roof, and perhaps one touch roof operation would be a nice feature, but that would come at the cost of the "sunroof" function, but other than that the new MINI Convertible takes an already successful and popular formula, and just tweaks it hear and there, ties up a few lose ends, and presents a more finished product. Very well done.

For a more in depth analysis, and photos from the Austrian test event, check out theSwitchback.com

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Ten Best Biker Movies

Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler in The Wild One (1953)

Biker movies occupy their own sub-genre in Hollywood. Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern and even Joe Namath have all appeared in biker films.

Here are ten classic motorcycle movies from the Golden Age of biker films spanning the 1950s to the 1970s. Start your engines, mama, because we're in for a hell of a ride...

The Wild One (Columbia, 1953)

Marlon Brando stars as Johnny Strabler in what many consider to be the granddaddy of outlaw biker movies. The sulking, hard-riding Johnny heads the Black Rebels motorcycle gang while rival Chino (Lee Marvin) is point man for the Beatles. Both gangs descend on the small town of Wrightsville, California, where the local yokels are caught in the middle of the ensuing biker war. Both Brando and Marvin are slovenly decked out in biker regalia for their bad boy roles. Brando and the Black Rebels ride British Triumphs while Marvin and the Beatles opt for American Harley Davidsons.

Easy Rider (Columbia, 1969)

Disaffected free spirits Wyatt a.k.a. Captain America (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) chopper down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras after scoring a drug deal in L.A. Along the way they pick up alcoholic lawyer George Hanson (Jack Nicholson), who is beaten to death by a virulent tribe of southern rednecks. Customized motorcycles, drugs, prostitution, rock music, hippies and sex form a psychedelic partnership in this classic biker flick, whose tagline announced, "A man went looking for America. And couldn't find it anywhere..."

The Wild Angels (American International, 1966)

Peter Fonda plays Heavenly Blues, the leader of a Hell's Angels chapter operating out of Venice, California. Also along for the ride are biker girl Mike a.k.a. Monkey (Nancy Sinatra), best buddy Joe Kearns a.k.a. Loser (Bruce Dern) and motorcycle mama Gavish (Diane Ladd). There's plenty of rough biker action in this flick, with several real-life Hell's Angels used as extras. Bruce Dern was actually cold-cocked by two Hell's Angels during the funeral scene, who weren't buying his explanation that he was acting in a movie.

Peter Fonda and Nancy Sinatra in The Wild Angels (1966)

The Born Losers (American International, 1967)

Tom Laughlin stars as Billy Jack, an ex-Green Beret Vietnam War vet who uses his martial arts skills to battle a violent biker gang in a small California town. Elizabeth James plays Vicky Barrington with Jeremy Slate as Danny Carmody, the leader of the Born Losers motorcycle club whose other members include Child (William Wellman Jr.), Cueball (Robert Tessier) and Gangrene (Jeff Cooper). The Born Losers introduced Laughlin as the high-kicking, loner Vietnam War vet who would later shoot to fame in the 1971 sleeper hit Billy Jack.

The Hard Ride (American International, 1971)

Robert Fuller stars as Phil, who returns home from the Vietnam War and fulfills his promise to a dying friend to take care of his buddy's chopper "Baby." Phil also meets up with his friend's girl Sheryl (Sherry Bain) and a virulent biker gang, with the violent climax taking place in the remote desert. Tony Russel and William Bonner plays biker Big Red and Grady, respectively, with Bill Medley, Junction, the Arrows, Paul Wibier, Bob Moline and Thelma Comacho contributing their talents to the hip soundtrack.

The Hard Ride (1971) one sheet movie poster with Robert Fuller and Sherry Bain

Hell's Angels on Wheels (U.S. Films, 1967)

Adam Roarke stars as Buddy, an outlaw biker who heads a chapter of the Hell's Angels. Jack Nicholson plays Poet, a bored gas station attendant who aspires to be one of the gang and who later develops a "thing" for biker babe Shill (Sabrina Scharf). There's plenty of motorcycle mayhem in this picturing, including wild partying and the Angels' continuing battle with square society. Jack Nicholson makes due with the skimpy material afforded him in one of his early film roles.

C.C. and Company (AVCO Embassy, 1970)

Super Bowl III hero and fabled New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath stars as C.C. Ryder, an ex-grease monkey who hooks up with the Heads motorcycle gang. Joe rescues fashion journalist Ann McCalley (Ann-Margret) from biker ruffians and locks horns with Heads gang leader Moon (William Smith) following a motocross. Check out the colorful mama/gang member monikers in this flick: Pom Pom (Jennifer Billingsley), Rabbit (Mike Battle), Lizard (Greg Mullavey), Pig (Teda Bracci), Crow (Sid Haig), Captain Midnight (Bruce Glover) and Zit-Zit (Jacquie Rohr). Mitch Ryder performs the movie's title song, "C.C. Rider." Ann-Margret's husband Roger Smith wrote the screenplay.

The Mini-Skirt Mob (American International, 1968)

Diane McBain stars as Shayne, the leader of a leggy, all-female outlaw biker gang known as the Mini-Skirt Mob. The girls prefer lightweight Hondas as their means of transportation, raising unrelenting hell when Shayne enlists their support along with biker Lon (Jeremy Slate) in her campaign against ex-beau Ross Hagen (Jeff Logan) and his new bride Connie (Sherry Jackson). This movie is a real gas, with the girls running around in micro-mini skirts and go-go boots. "Nothing is more vicious than a scorned, guilt-ridden blonde," the movie trailer announces. Talk about your cat fight!

The Mini-Skirt Mob (1968) one sheet movie poster with Diane McBain

Werewolves on Wheels (Fanfare Corporation, 1971)

Horror and hell-raising come together in this wild biker film starring Steve Oliver as Adam and D.J. Anderson as Helen. When the outlaw biker gang The Devil's Advocates seek greater understanding at a monastery they get more than they reckoned for from a band of black-robed, devil-worshipping monks. Loaded to the gills with free wine, the drunken gang members trash the monastery and beat up its owners, only to have a curse placed on one of their mamas who is transformed into a werewolf. Look for Billy Gray (Bud Anderson of TV's Father Knows Best) and singer Barry McGuire ("The Eve of Destruction"), who play Phil and Scarf, respectively. Far out!

The Glory Stompers (American International, 1968)

Dennis Hopper plays tough guy Chino, the leader of the Black Souls motorcycle gang. Chino and his grubby clan capture rival Glory Stompers gang leader Darryl (Jody McCrea) along with his girlfriend Chris (Chris Noel). Leaving Darryl for dead in the woods following a vicious stomping, the Black Souls head to the Mexican border where they plan to sell Chris to white slave traders. A vengeful Darryl and former Glory Stomper Smiley (Jock Mahoney) track down Chino and his boys where a biker battle royal ensues. The Glory Stompers is a favorite of director Quentin Tarantino.

The Glory Stompers (1968) half sheet poster with Dennis Hopper

TenMore Golden Age Biker Movie Favorites

Additional Reading

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Tamiya RC Cars

Tamiya is famous for manufacturing excellent automobile miniatures. They have introduced competitive mini 4WD racing to the world as well as the world to RC cars. There are several models in the Tamiya RC car collection which showcase the company's competence in designing car models.

Check out a few Tamiya RC car models:

Tamiya RC car Nitro Crusher model features a dominant FS-15S engine which has a big slide carburetor for getting good speed. There is a precision brake system in the engine which guarantees safety in operation. It comes in the shape of a monster truck. You can drive it over different kinds of terrain very easily with its numerous features. There are extra-large tires which are ideal for mud, rocks or sand. It also comes with a front impact control system which lets you run it stably irrespective of the obstacles you face.

Mini cooper is the same favorite car of Mr. Bean. This Tamiya RC car model is based on the 1960's car. It is legendary for the size and dominant performance. Mini cooper has been known to do very well in competitions such as world rally championship. Tamiya RC car model has an M-03 chassis which has been particularly designed to be fast. The suspension which is double wishbone has been made to be stabile and offers good handling to the model. This RC car is electric and the batteries make it heavy. There is a unique hole in the chassis to make sure that this Tamiya RC car runs well in spite of the weight.

Subaru Impreza WRC Monte Carlo model of Tamiya RC car has been made for a novel style of racingit drifts. The chassis of the car, TT-01D has been manufactured with light materials and has been particularly crafted for lower center of gravity. This ensures that the Subaru Impreza Tamiya RC car model will not topple when you "drift" it. You may be wondering about the benefits of drift racing. During regular turns, the car has a tendency to drop speed but with drifting, the car is able to keep accurate control and best speed. There may be a chance of something not working properly and that is why this RC car is designed to precision.

XBG Nitro Force is able to reach incredible high speeds and this Tamiya RC car model is surely a force to consider. It has been powered by a FR-S glow precision engine and uses a recoil starter for immediate start each time. The model of Tamiya RC car chassis is made of a toughened resin frame which has a low center of gravity which makes it very stable to drive.

XBG Nitro Force model of Tamiya RC car comes with an aerodynamic frame to ensure that wind does not slow the speed. Ultimately when you are looking for a Tamiya RC car which satisfies your wish to challenge gravity, you should get this car.

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