I purchased my 91 Mayfair in September 07 and I've been out and about several times since, but not on any really long runs yet.

I plan do some this spring with MAM in VA. I had the car upto about 70 mph and it seemed to me that there may have been a little bit, but not too much more left in it.

It has a 998cc with an automatic transmission.Don't laugh, this thing shifts damn good for an auto stick.

As the thread title reads, just how much can I expect from this little pocket rocket? Is 70 a fair figure for this engine. Is it safe at speeds much higher?

Don't get me wrong, speeding is not my game, I'd just like to know what I can expect.

 

I think you're pretty much there on a safe cruising speed. The car is safe at higher speeds, but you risk blowing the engine up if you run it for hours at redline.........it's really more of a city car IMHO.

 

My 77 Mini 1000 will top out at about 78mph. It has a basic 998 with a stage 1 tune. It takes a good while to get the last 8 mph and when it gets there, you can just tell "he is pooped" . . . full throttle and no place left to go. . . . but I feels like it would pretty much go all day between 65 and that 70 mark. It has a new radiator and even at 90+degrees outside, it will run quite nicely at that level without overheating. But you do get the feeling you are "pushing" it just a bit

 

The previous owner of my Mini said he drove it a 80 MPH. She's a 998cc auto tranny too. I think he's full of it though. LOL

 

If you have a 3.44:1 FD ratio (the most common), then 65-66 mph = 4,000 RPM. The Mini will happily run 3,800 - 4,000 RPM for extended periods per my experience. Just listen to it...you can hear it begin to strain once you cross that threshold, imo.

4,500 get your 74 MPH and 5,000 gets you 82 MPH sustained & and early engine rebuild.

I find 65 MPH comfortable for traveling and easy on the car. I've taken several extended trips in a classic Mini (up to 3,000 miles ea). You will be passed by EVERYTHING on the road as most people drive 75-85 MPH, but then that's not what a Mini is designed to do. I like to take non-freeway trips. The two lane roads are excellent at Mini speeds, excellent scenery, cooler in the heat and geometrically less frantic.

For freeway driving I found a clip on panoramic mirror at WalMart that gives you excellent rearward vision to keep an eye on the overtaking traffic.

 

minis are like any other old car regarding the safety aspect of speed. If you've gone through all of the components that can fail and renewed anything questionable they can be pretty safe. I don't know how fast my vintage racer is but I've had it to 7500 rpm in 4th with a 3.9 final drive. If you run the numbers that should work out to about 110-ish. I think the aero (think brick here) limits the mini (using a normally aspirated A series) to something like 120.

 

The biggest reason I try to stay off the highway is for the fear of an accident. I am not worried about the car, or even my driving, but I am worried about all the idiots in SUVs on the phone not seeing me. I don't fancy the idea of being in an accident at highway speeds in what is not much more than a tin can.

 

Classic Mini's are tiny cars, you do have to drive defensively, that's for sure.......

 

You kinda have to drive the car almost like it was a motorcycle. Because that's basically what it is except your a little bit more protected...

 

Thats a very interesting comment comparing driving a Mini to driving a motorcycle! I bought my Mini right after I sold my motorcycle. I sold the motorcycle because after 35 years of riding I no longer feel safe around all the poor drivers and SUV's on the roads. So I've rationalized that I'm safer inside my Mini. Sometimes you just have to look reality in the eye and deny it..........

 

I ditto the motorcycle remarks. I rode for a while and after a good tumble after a front tire blowout at 70 I decided "why am I DOING this!"

When discussing driving the Mini, I too say it is a lot like riding a bike. You need to be very defensive, and work to ensure others know you are there. Judicious use of lights and a LOUD horn are good tools.

But if a Mini wrecks, just how much protection are you going to get from the body? Well if you've taken yours apart you know there is zero re-enforcement anywhere. In any sort of a front end chash the engine is coming into your lap. Fortunately these are very hard to roll, but I know some who are proud to claim they did it. Roof strengthening? No. I tell people my roll cage isn't for looks or racing; rather everyday self defense

Ya, it is better than a bike .... but not much better IMHO....if things start to bend...

 

Thats my point exactly! A Mini is drier than a motorcycle in the rain, warmer (slightly) than a motorcycle in cold weather and maybe a bit safer than a motorcycle if you have a blowout. But if your Mini meets another vehicle at any speed...

Thats why I drive my Mini as if it were a motorcycle, cause so many drivers don't see motorcycles or Mini's.

 

When I had my 1970 849cc I used to cruise at 75/80 now with my 90 that i bought new i cruised at 75/90 depending on the highways with this one a new head gasket @135,000 miles

This all happened back in England

 

The motorcycle analogy is a good one. You are a lot safer in a Mini than on a bike though. I've seen some wrecked Minis. And the main core area stays in pretty damn good shape all things considered. You take a full hit to the side, that's gonna suck in any car. Yeah, it's not as safe as some modern cars, but it's not like it's a deathtrap.

I like to cruise at around 110-120km/h (it's an Inno), so i guess 66-72mph and that seems pretty easy on the engine, but I've got a 1275 A+. Haven't really pushed it that far past that because I haven't had the need to. I do want to find out what she can do at some point.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. It makes me feel like I did alright with my purchase. Had everyone said 90 mph was the norm, I may have felt a bit slighted.

With that said, I don't plan on speeding needlessly. I do however like to know that should I need that degree of mph for a reasonable amount of time, I'm not going to destroy the car by doin so.

Heres to many happy motoring miles

 

considering you have good brakes you can cuise at those speeds all day long.
Mine tops off at 84mph withe pedal to the metal or 4k rpm. absolutely no issues.

 

I concur with this statement

 

when adjusting your rear brakes try to keep the E brake at 3 clicks and you'll be amazed at how well it stops.

 

Very much agree with that comment. I had a 1967 with a 1275 Metro Turbo which was lowered, running on 10's, full roll cage, etc and could do phenomenal speeds. Would drive into Atlanta on I-20, and I have to say that the worst drivers are down here- my greatest fear was passing people in Yukons or Denalis in the outside lane.
Now, the one thing I will say and in my opinion is that a Mini versus a motorcycle or a similar small car is that they are noticeable, and if a driver has any element of attention to the road- then they see the strange car versus a Toyota or Honda which blends in. I would often pass trucks and I am quite sure that on their CB's they were telling each other about " some very odd looking car that you need to see"...
I still drive very defensively in a Mini and constantly watch others. Which you really have to at all times.

 

Couldn't agree more with the motorcycle analogy. I too, rode for several years and gave it up after it just was not worth the risk. I can cruise pretty well with my 998 at about 60. Much more than that I can hear it start to strain.
Bottom line, keep your head on a swivel.

 

Drive to your own skill set.

 

i own a 04 cooper s, and i have my motorcycle permit, i plan on buying a classic mini and a harley. when on my pops harley its pretty scary going over 60 on the highway because of like you say suv drivers on their phones and such. but i cant wait to own both ! ;]