I have an '05 Cooper S that lately just loves playing on old logging roads on weekends (often 10-20 miles one-way) during summer backpacking trips and heading up mountain passes with snowshoes and snowboards in the winter. He especially enjoys the looks of SUV drivers at the trailhead who thought a 4x4 was needed to get in.

So far the only upgrades I have is the engine skid plate and a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket (picture here) along with some basic tools in the boot.

What have other owners of Mini's with similar inclinations done to enchance the Mini's already fun dirt road capabilities? Are there any obviousy weak components worthy of strengthing? I'd like to maintain the stock appearence and road handling as much as possible.

I have started a wish list:

M7 strut tower reinforcement plates or strut tower brace is on the short list to prevent mushrooming.

I still have the factory 16" run flats. They are capable on gravel, but they are slightly less sure footed climbing steep & sharp switchbacks. I'd like to eventually get a dedicated set of wheels/tires that could be quickly thrown on, with a spare in the cargo basket, before heading out on a backcountry trip or snow. Any recommendations?

Koni FSD's have been appealing with the somewhat neglected Seattle roads...how do these hold up on pot-holed dirt roads?

A pair of driving lights are probably in order for days when you get back to the car after dark. I've seen the pictures of the mini on here with overhead driving lights mounted to the factory rack. I'm not sure how they'd look on the cargo basket or how you'd best run the power into the Mini, so I'd probably stick with a pair of the standard grill mounted lights.

I'd love to increase underbody protection beyond the steel engine skid plate (which has saved me at least once). John Cooper Motorsports in the UK had gas tank skid plates listed, but I've never seen them available in the US and are not likely available in the UK anymore. I've also read that the three Mini's on the Odyssey Africa to UK trip had "nose to tail" skid plates. I'm sure this was a custom job, but, is anything similar available?

Other ideas?

-Rob

 

ummmmmmm....................buy a truck?

Seriously, the ground clearance and tires would be the things to change.

FSD's would be a waste of money. Better to go with a coil-over system so you could raise the car up and gain a bit of clearance.

 

Robc,

Check out the places where the MINI is doing rallye activity. I suspect one or two may be used in SCCA type runs. I would check those places first, then get the simple things which make sense for you.

You could go way overboard, I don't think that is your intent. You might check with some local backroads 4x4 shops. Something which might work on a Jeep Liberty or Wrangler might come close to MINI size.

Best of luck with this one.

 

You'll want to move to 15inch rims and do suspension work to increase ground clearance and soften the suspension. Your on-road handling will suffer significantly, but you'll be more likely to avoid going into a ditch in the dirt.

 

I got mine stuck in the backyard washing it one day and had to get a neighbor with a 4x4 to pull it out. Just a normal yard, not exactly Moab...

MINIs like offroading about like they like climbing trees.

 

Here's a good site for inspiration. Pretty neat article. Kind of like the Ferrari World tour.
Say it in your best movie preview guy voice...

"3 Mini's, 10 Countries, One Giant Adventure!"
http://www.carpages.co.uk/mini/mini-...y-28-04-06.asp



http://www.miniodyssey.co.za/

 

Thinking outside the box...I like it! I also think these would be a good pattern to start with. You would want to increase suspension travel as much as you can and some 15" wheels with a narrow tire and alot of sidewall would be a good start. Maybe softer springs and shocks?

 

This is why I have a Jeep.

 

If you need skip plates and can't find them anywhere check with a machine shop to see how much fabbing a set from sheet aluminum would be. You could make a template from cardboard and then transfer that to the AL. Finding the mounting points may pose a challenge.

 

I think you just need to find a Jeep in the mall parking lot, pry off the "Trail Rated" sticker and put it on your MINI.

Seriously, I have a Toyota Tacoma for offroad stuff. Much more suited to that kind of use. If you feel you must take youer MINI offroad, please be aware that tall grass can catch fire from the heat of the catalytic converter. I've seen this happen with a car parked on the roadside (luckily, the driver noticed, moved the car and extinguished the fire).

-- mike

 

Yeah, fortunetely grass isn't an issue usually. I do keep a fire extinguisher handy for such occasions though...

Living in the city, having two vehicles really isn't an option and the Mini has done fine on all of the logging roads i've taken it on, just have to take it easy on the rougher ones. The smallness makes it pretty easy to find a path around the bigger holes.

The only time i've actually gotten stuck (and not being super stupid) was pulling out of the Stevens Pass parking lot after they had just plowed US 2... Was making it through the fresh snowbank fine until i had to stop at the last second for traffic hugging the side of the road. After that the front skid plate settled down in the snow leaving a mini that required 4 guys to push the two feet out of the parking lot. I figure if thats the only time its happened, having a second vehicle isn't worth the hassle. I do think 15 inch wheels and snow tires will be worth the effort this winter. And just have to make sure you don't get stuck somewhere isolated without a copilot to lend a hand.

The time i got stuck being super stupid was on a beach... Mini made it out fine, but then i tried backing up after stopping and that was it. Took two people to push out of the hole, but once moving all was ok. The mini is now a little skiddish around beaches.

 

I like the idea, robc. It goes back to why get a larger vehicle when you can accomplish the same in a smaller one.

I don't know much about off roading but I think you should listen to Yucca as he knows what he is talking about. 15" tires and suspension. Possibly coilovers that will allow you to raise the car easily for when you want to run in the dirt then lower it back when you are on the street. Swap wheels accordingly.

If Puegot and Focus can run in WRC then why can't a MINI enjoy some logging roads? It's just up to how much you are willing to put into it.