Hi everyone,

I got my first car ever in March - a MINI. I've been driving it for more than 6 months now, and still, everytime I go out and see it, a smile appears on my face. My friends say riding with me is like being in a car racing video game. So great is the handling that you are in complete control and can drive like you cannot in other cars. But you already know all this about the MINI

What compelled me to post this, was a recent road trip I did. It proves that the MINI is indeed superbly designed and engineered. I covered around a 1000 miles on a spare tire most of it at 80 mph, and got a mileage of around 37 mph! I wrote about this trip over here.

http://root2squared.wordpress.com/20...ni-spare-tire/

 

 

I really hope that spare wasn't a donut...

EDIT: Nm, reading the link. /facepalm

 

i uhhhhhh don't think i would brag about that..

not too smart.

 

Well, I never said it was smart. I said I did some stupid things. I have only had a car for about 6 months and there are quite a few things I did not know.

And I was not bragging, but merely putting down my experience.

 

Glad it worked out for you... now let's weigh the possible consequences of your actions:

> If the spare had indeed detonated at 110MPH, what happens then? Yes, at that speed, it wouldn't be a "slow leak".
> What are you doing driving 110 MPH? Even if those 6 months of car ownership were under the tutelage of Mario Andretti, you're passing cars at 110MPH on a public highway?
> If you regained consciousness after the ensuing crash, how would you feel about the van full of kids that you just hurt, or the woman you left a widow?

Sorry about coming on so strong, but let's do a little thinking before acting.

 

It was an almost empty highway with pretty much everyone in huge SUVs going at 90. If SUVs can go at 90 the mini can go at 110. Btw that was only when passing. 90% of the trip was on cruise control at 80. The chances of me hurting someone are far greater on i95 daily going at 60. Your concerns about accidents would be more applicable to suv drivers barelling down at 70 mph on busy highways.

Look, I already said I did some stupid things. My only reason for posting was to describe how the car behaved, not me. You're merely pointing out what I already said so many times. I did not think as well as I should have.

Anyway, I appreciate your response.

 

IB4TL :P

 

 

Ha ha... doughnut.

 

I don't think you understand. The spare is only rated up to 50 mph. Yes it is surely a conservative rating (as probably all tire ratings are) but it was not designed for high speed. There are real issues such as strength and heat resistance of the rubber. It is possible to get a blowout while going in a straight line, on a good surface. That could send you into a guardrail or flipping the car. You can take responsibility for yourself but you had a friend riding as a passenger. Feeling that the MINI can get you through it because it's a BMW... well, that's like SUV drivers feeling overconfident with 4 wheel drive.

 

You are right, of course. However, like I've already said so many times, I was not aware of some things and made some wrong choices. I seriously doubt a blowout would flip the car though. I started at 50 and slowly edged it up to 80 and stayed there. There were other factors in play one of which was we were also looking to get the regular one fixed throughout the way. And we had to get back that night itself. It was not because it's a BMW, but mainly because of the way the car felt and handled during the trip that I took a chance. And my friend was also aware of this.

 

*Sigh*

The focus of all replies seems to be what could have happened and what I did wrong. My only intent in posting was to describe the superb handling of the car. I'm not advocating or even saying it was the right thing to do. This is not my hobby nor something I would want to do again. It happened, and I don't think it's a big deal.

 

When you grow up you will understand why people are saying what they are saying, the fact that you put your passenger's life at risk as well as eveyone else's on the road...SUV's or not it was poor judgement on your part. I suggest you take the Manual to bed and don't fall asleep until you've read it cover to cover...understand that the machine you're driving though safe as it may be is still a machinery not to be pushed to extremes OR BAD Things are likely to happen.

 

Are they still handing out Darwin Awards?

 

OK, OK, maybe we were a bit harsh, and yes we've all done some things that were, let's just say "uninformed", or "irresponsible" - in my case, some that were downright idiotic... thankfully, not in the Mini or recently (that I know of) and no, I'm not sharing any here!

Recognize that that the criticism you're feeling is also a form of caring - for you as a driver, for our fellow motorists and for your passenger - and lastly for your mini.

It was good of you to describe - and it's great to know - that you, the car and the donut (in your case) held up long enough to get you home. Those donuts are certainly stronger than the "200miles at 50mph" that's printed on them, but that engineered-in safety factor may not be a 5x distance and AND 40% speed factor, and it's there to handle the occasional pothole or passing zone, probably not a 1000 mile trip.

That said... we ARE glad you made it and we're not reading about you in the headlines. Please take what we've all said as positively as you can and don't do it again! You'll also want to get your donut spare replaced since it's likely pretty much used up... hug it first for giving its life for you. Motor on, and good luck!

 

Well said, DixonL2.

Now, aashish, we want you to write 50 times on the blackboard...

"I will not speed."
"I will not speed."
"I will not speed."

etc.

And we want you to think about what you've just done, mister. <wags finger>

 

Thanks. I appreciate that. I got it replaced first thing next day.

 

Wow. If I said this was the most brilliant thread I've read in a month would the sarcasm come through?

 

Late hit!
- 15 yards!

 

Sometimes you just have to take a penalty...

 

 

aashish,
thanks for sharing your notes about doughnut spare tire use. It gives me confidence that if I have to use mine, it'll hold up.
Billie

 

mmmmm... donuts... ~(_8^(|)