In this week’s episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship kicks things off with a heartfelt (and slightly sarcastic) nod to the MINI Paceman—the quirky coupe/SUV/wagon-ish thing that never quite knew what it wanted to be, but we loved it anyway.

Then we dive into some wild stuff from the world wide inter-MINI-webs, like automotive journalists who clearly copy-pasted their way through “MINI 101,” and those Chinese-built EV MINIs that—according to recent recalls—might be just a little too lit for comfort. 🔥

We wrap things up by looking at the sales success of BMW’s new M5 Touring wagon, which is outselling its sedan sibling in the U.S. So naturally, Dale asks the hard-hitting question: Did MINI give up on the Clubman too soon? (Spoiler: Probably.)

All that, plus a few chuckles, some MINI trivia, and a light reminder that being weird is what makes MINIs great.

Paceman

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos-suvs/does-minis-silliest-car-make-more-sense-now-that-its-a-performance-bargain/ar-AA1EYIgm

JCW Hatch with twin tail pipes?

https://www.dailyrevs.com/listings/2025-mini-john-cooper-works-icy-sunshine-blue

EV MINI issues:

https://cnevpost.com/2025/05/30/bmw-china-venture-recalls-70-electric-minis/

BMW hot selling M5 Touring Wagon and the demise of the Clubman.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a64907204/bmw-m5-touring-station-wagon-take-rate-versus-sedan-united-states/