Most liked posts in thread: Long-ish distance driving in a MINI...

Before I traded my '07 with 130K miles, I took quite a few 250 mile (one way) trips to visit a friend. 90% of it was 65-75mph and other than adding oil occasionally, which was normal for my car, I never had a problem.

 

Our li'l guy takes us on long distance road trips regularly with no concerns. The longest so far was last year at 4 weeks and 6500 miles. Best advice, check all the fluids before departure and pack an extra qt. of oil in the boot, set the cruise control and motor. Sad to say there's not much in the way of backroads going your direction to make it more enjoyable. We avoid 4 lanes at all cost.

 

I'm heading 500+ miles down to the Dragon and have done it twice before with my 06 MCS. As long as you don't have any tall passengers in the back, your Mini should be fine for a long trip.

 

Last year 7 hours back and forth to the Dragon. Then 7 hours back and forth to Watkins Glen. All in my '05 MINI.

 

You only have 100 K so drive what you enjoy. Now if you told me you had an 1980 Chevy Chevette that would be a different story.

 

I would not have any concern driving a well maintained MCS with 100,000 miles from Dallas to Houston.
Try to make the drive interesting such as taking a different route than usual. For example, instead of Hwy 45 take 35 & 290. Better yet take smaller roads such as 175/19 through Athens, Palestine, & Crockett.
I have 96,000 miles on my 2006 and would not have a concern driving 1,000s of miles on a trip.

 

Last summer we drove to MI for MINI on the Mack from GA, about an 18-20 hour drive. We were in our 08 Clubman S with ~95K miles. We did the trek in 2 days, instead of straight through. Then didn't leave early enough from St. Ignace and got stuck in the upper peninsula for a couple of hours while they cleared the Mackinaw Bridge. A camper or two got knocked over by winds. I swear that storm chased us all the way down to OH.

 

Last summer we did a 2500 miles road trip in about 9 days . . . but then again we have a Gen2 with only 30k miles...

I probably would get a little anxious with 100k on the clock for a 2500 miles drive. But a few 100s isn't much an issue for any car or I wouldn't put much trust in the car to start with

Secondly, imo, cars are happy at low-ish rpms for a period of time. It's gentler on the engine. That might be just me.

 

I wouldn't think twice about it, I didn't start doing power upgrades until 70k and stop doing upgrades until over 195k, made numerous 600 to 700 mile hwy trips in my '05 all the way up until I decided to pull the motor after a burnt valve at 212k, the last long trip was at 205k.

In general, Mini's tend to wear out, not come apart with high millage.

 

Yout car will run OK ALL DAY at 3500 rpm...it normal for these motors.....
Only you can answer if there are any ignored issues in the closet or defered repaired that will come back to haunt you...an improperly patched tire, slow leak in the cooling system, or other questionable items....
Haven driven cross-country on several occasions in everything from $1000 back-lot Alaska auto dealers specials to big-rigs, to a nearly new SUV, I have typically averaged 600-1100 miles depending on the vechile type (truck was limited to 11 hours at 63 mph), and have never had a mechanical issue that delayed me by more than 2 hours....
To stress over a 300 mile trip..ouch...most folks in my parts call that a trip to visit friends before lunch....
Only you can determine if it makes economic sense!!

 

I've driven all of the MINIs in the family long distance - to Deal's Gap, to OBX, from Chicago...

The engines are fine buzzing about at 3k RPM on the highway. Hell, I averaged 77 MPH from MOTD last year to home, and got 35 MPG in the GP.

 

I drive from Vancouver BC (Canada) to Portland OR at least once a year. No issues whatsoever. The long highway run cleans out the fuel system for you.

As long as your car is well maintained, you shouldn't have any issues.

I would do MTTS, which is a 15 hour drive to get there for me, if I could get the vacation time.

Now get out there and motor.

 

Twice a year I drive from Philly, PA area to Fontana, NC and back non stop except for fuel and have not had any problems at all.

It all comes down to how big your bladder is and how long you can sit in the seat as long as your car is taken care of you should not have any problems at all.

FYI ~ do not buy 32 oz sodas at rest stops. :ihih::lol::devil:

 

In essence since the Mini is so small it's just natural to think of it as strictly an "around town commuter" (the wind up toy jokes don't help either) but it's not, it's a full fledged, get it and drive, automobile, plain and simple.

 

Geez. This thread is hilarious. Drive the #&%! car!!!! That's what it's built for!!!

Actually, the car is built to drive 100mph+ all day, every day on the Autobahn. It doesn't even break a sweat at US (legal) speeds.

 

I did get a ticket in Utah last time I went to AMVIV. For having slowed down to 92mph in a 60 zone. :blush2: