Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[MINI Cooper S recalled for protruding tailpipes, inadvertent tattoos]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/mini-cooper-s-recalled-for-protruding-tailpipes-inadvertent-tat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/mini-cooper-s-recalled-for-protruding-tailpipes-inadvertent-tat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/mini-cooper-s-recalled-for-protruding-tailpipes-inadvertent-tat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 MINI Cooper S

Let's set the scene: You've just returned from a jaunt to pick up Grandma and parked your 2007-2008 MINI Cooper S in the driveway. After leading the sweet lady up your steps and into the house, you return to the car to unload the assorted goodies and gifts that she's brought for you and the fam. You pop open the hatch, reach over to grab a foil-wrapped plate of her legendary baklava and start to feel a burning sensation on your shin. It's official. You've been indoctrinated into the Club of Cooper S owners who now sport a circular prison tat on their legs.

According to the NHTSA, the problem affects some 28,450 2007-08 MINI Cooper S models due to the dual tailpipes that protrude too far from the center of the Cooper's rear bumper. The problem has been documented on several MINI-specific forums, and BMW is stepping up to address the issue and offering Cooper customers a new, shorter exhaust, free of charge. The recall begins in January and owners can contact BMW at 800.831.1117 to schedule a replacement of the offending exhaust.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 MINI Cooper S


[Source: InsideLine | Image: Findude]

MINI Cooper S recalled for protruding tailpipes, inadvertent tattoos originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20072007 mini cooper s recall2007MiniCooperSRecall20082008 mini cooper s recall2008MiniCooperSRecallburncooper sCooperSexhaustexhaust tipsExhaustTipsminimufflerrecalltipsTue, 23 Dec 2008 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[People turn to torching cars in bad economy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/14/people-turn-to-torching-cars-in-bad-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/14/people-turn-to-torching-cars-in-bad-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/14/people-turn-to-torching-cars-in-bad-economy/#commentsFiled under: ,

Vehicle owners behind in their payments and faced with mounting debts have begun taking matches to their cars and trucks in an effort to stop their payments and collect the insurance settlements. Unfortunately, in most cases the attempts backfire (pun intended). According to police, when delinquencies on auto loans rise, owner-involved arson jumps as well. Between 2004 and 2007, "potential owner give-ups" (most of which involve torched vehicles) nearly doubled nationally. Distinguishing between an actual theft-and-burn and an owner-induced arson is the job of investigators who often find such cases easy to crack.

For example, recently a pair of Chrysler Pacificas were burned and it just so happens that that particular model was only reported stolen 98 times across the nation this year - the so-called "theft" raised more than a few eyebrows at headquarters. In another case, a Yukon owner claimed his truck was stolen and burned overnight. Police knew that the thief likely had the keys (Yukons are especially difficult to hot-wire) so their focus was immediately turned towards the owner who had conveniently left "two cans of gasoline" in the back. In yet another case, the late-paying owners had significantly lowered their deductible just days before the reported theft.

Over their heads in debt, fraudulent owners choose arson because the burned-out vehicle shells are often found immediately by authorities, and the insurance companies settle and disburse payments quickly. That is, assuming they haven't fallen behind on their insurance bills as well! Thanks for the tip, Ben!

[Source: Washington Post, photo by Maryland State Fire Marshall]


People turn to torching cars in bad economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArsonBurnEconomyInsurance FraudInsuranceFraudStolenTheftTorchTue, 14 Oct 2008 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[So Sad: Audi R8 mysteriously burns]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/so-sad-audi-r8-mysteriously-burns/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/so-sad-audi-r8-mysteriously-burns/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/so-sad-audi-r8-mysteriously-burns/#commentsFiled under: , ,



While there were some R8s that burned in the development phase, Audi worked hard to massage the platform and make it production ready. These pictures are reportedly a mule, not a production R8 that went up in flames. Scuttlebutt has it that fuel spillage was the culprit here, though speculation of something else is also offered if you click through and read the related thread on the R8talk forum. Either way, it's a tragic end to this particular R8's short life. Of course, in the end, it's only a car, so as long as everyone escaped unharmed, it's not even a blip on the cosmic scale.

Gallery: R8 Fire



[Source: R8Talk.com]

So Sad: Audi R8 mysteriously burns originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiburnfirelosspicturesr8supercartotalSun, 02 Sep 2007 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Bentley Burnout, Arnage Carnage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/03/video-bentley-burn-out-arnage-carnage/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/03/video-bentley-burn-out-arnage-carnage/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/03/video-bentley-burn-out-arnage-carnage/#commentsFiled under: , ,

One might associate a Bentley with, say...caviar and filet mignon. But donuts? Heavens, no! Well, this is what happens when the nouveau riche get their hands on the motor carriages that rightfully belong to the aristocracy.

Seriously though, as posh as it is, and as much heritage as its Winged-B badge might confer, the Bentley Arnage is, after all, just a big old sedan with a monster V8 pumping out torque by the ton through the rear wheels. So here's a bunch of guys who saw through the clout, put 1 and 2 together, and decided to take their big, six-figure limo to the local parking lot for some good old fashioned donuts. There's something refreshingly brutal about that.

Video after the jump.

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading VIDEO: Bentley Burnout, Arnage Carnage

VIDEO: Bentley Burnout, Arnage Carnage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arnagebentleyburndonutsoutTue, 03 Jul 2007 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Dodge Viper torched in Russia for being branded with the Devil's mark]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/09/dodge-viper-torched-in-russia-for-being-branded-with-the-devils/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/09/dodge-viper-torched-in-russia-for-being-branded-with-the-devils/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/09/dodge-viper-torched-in-russia-for-being-branded-with-the-devils/#commentsFiled under:

Communism might not officially admit a God, but post-Communist Russia apparently believes Satan is alive and well, and that he might drive a Dodge Viper (probably already has a deposit down for the 600-hp 2008 Dodge Viper). It all started when the owner of a Viper was given license plates that contained the 3-digit calling card of a certain deity you don't want to know. That person then decided to park his car somewhere in Kostroma, Russia. With that kind of provocation, what choice did the townfolk have? Taking no chances with the sanctity of their souls and perhaps making too much of the serpent-Viper connection, the good residents of the town purified the Viper in the fire. Which is another way of saying they torched that bad boy. Putting aside the question of why the license bureau would issue such plates in the first place, does anyone think Mephistopheles would actually drive a Dodge? Or did someone just watch The Car once too often?

[Source: English Russia via Jalopnik]

Dodge Viper torched in Russia for being branded with the Devil's mark originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jun 2007 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burnkostromarussiatorchviperSat, 09 Jun 2007 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Blazin Bull - second Lamborghini LP640 destroyed on public roads]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/20/blazin-bull-second-lamborghini-lp640-destroyed-on-public-roads/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/20/blazin-bull-second-lamborghini-lp640-destroyed-on-public-roads/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/20/blazin-bull-second-lamborghini-lp640-destroyed-on-public-roads/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Announced in March at the Geneva Motor Show, the exclusive Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is scheduled for delivery this September to 300 eagerly awaiting owners. Those wealthy waiters better hope they can tame this bronco buster, as Wrecked Exotics has recently reported that the second LP640 that has crashed and burned on public roads. The latest occurred in St. Andrae, Austria on June 15th while the rarest of Murcielagos was being driven to a press event. Witnesses report that the Lamborghini lost control, ran into a tree and then burst into flames. The driver was flown to a nearby hospital to be treated for a severe burns.

[Source: Wrecked Exotics]

Blazin Bull - second Lamborghini LP640 destroyed on public roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 03:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burnitalianlp640murcielagowreckTue, 20 Jun 2006 03:21:00 EST