I recently drove from San Francisco to Salt Lake City and I have to say, for a car with such a short wheelbase, it was not bad for a well paced journey across I80.

The car was incredibly stable and road noise/vibration was only bad through one section of the sierras. What stood out was the stability at speed. This car had the traditional feel of a German car that likes to cruise at 75 cough 100 cough miles per hr and felt at home when changing lanes or emergency breaking for deer crossings.

This was the first of many trips and I can't wait to log even more miles!

 

I agree with your assessment. Its a nice driving experience on a longer trip. I live in the NYC area and drive to Boston for business quite often. I always enjoy the ride in my JCW.

Longest trip was from Philly to Boston one hot afternoon last spring. A bit over 5 hours. Got tuned in Philly at Helix by RMW then drove to Boston for business.

 

Maltese - which suspension do you have?

I recently took a long-ish trip from Philly area to Long Island and back. My R56 JCW with standard suspension, leather sport seats, and H/K audio made trip remarkably comfortable.

 

The sport seats in the S/JCW make a huge difference. In my Cooper I couldn't drive more than a few hours with all kinds of back pain (and I'm only 21). With my JCW I have driven for over 6 hours straight with no problems at all. Even with the sport suspension and H&R springs.

 

I agree. I drove 18 hours straight from Texas to Colorado and it was not bad at all. I have the cloth sport seats and standard suspension. Went through one section of Texas at 2am where the deer not only lined the road on both sides but had to slow to 35 at some points to not hit them as the leasurely crossed in front of me. Just when I thought I made it out of the "deer mine field", I had to swerve at about 70mph to not hit a porcupine head on. I ended up just clipping it and had the quills in my sidewalls to prove it! Here I am yesterday up in Nederland, Colorado cruising around.

 

I am nearly through a 5000km roadtrip in my r50 and it has been surprisingly comfortable

 

Car looks great, I've seen a few all PW/W Mini's and I wasn't sure about the look but seeing yours I have to say that it looks great; but any issues with dirt collecting on the top around the roof rack???

 

Nice Rockymounts!! Are those Euro Pitchforks?

Oh, the car looks awesome too!

 

Back in 08, a buddy of mine dragged our families around the Alps for five days, each family of four in their own MINIs and we had a BLAST!! Details here. The sport seats in both of my MINIs have been the best long driving seats EVER for me. That includes the all-singing, all-dancing go-faster seats in the wife's 01 Grand Caravan, which we bought new back in the day. I'm REALLY looking forward to the BRP Run in just under two weeks to see how the 'Merican Alps and ToTD compare.

Cheers!!

 

You guys suck... Here in the flatlands of Illinois all we have is corn or soybeans to look at.

I really haven't taken it out on a long drive (over 6 hours) yet so these posts are great to read.

 

Thanks! No, no issues with collecting anymore dirt than anywhere else on the car. It's been really dusty up here. I go out to my car every morning and it is covered with a layer of dirt. I don't have this problem down in Texas. No big deal really, I just head on over to the car wash and spray it down with the spot free rinse for a dollar and it is good to go for another day. I'm really liking this solid white color.

 

Thanks! Yes, RM Euro Pitchforks. I had originally wanted white but it was too white compared to the pepper white so went with red instead. Had them installed for free at their showroom in Boulder. Great bunch of guys and very professional.

 

Here I am loaded up with BMCs...

 

Looks great! Curious to know how you manage opening the boot all the way? I am debating on either installing the racks backward or possibly cutting them about 3" so the boot can open up all the way. Thanks!

 

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