Just wondering, because I have a Cooper S on order, and I live in a remote area which means that every time I want to go to a nice restaurant or even just to the movies, we're talking 45 miles, round trip. Not to mention the 50 mile round trip to work every day...

I noticed that there's no center armrest, and I know that there are aftermarket alternatives out there, but I guess there's nothing that can be done about the seemingly useless door armrests, which BMW designers inexplicably placed too low on the door.

Do any of you get physically tired after driving the car for, let's say, 35-40 minutes or more? A friend of mine who works at the BMW dealership where I ordered the car said that anything over 30 minutes is too much for him, but I don't know how much of that was a plan to get me into a BMW instead...

Any input would be appreciated! Thanks in advance...

 

Just to add: I'm sticking with the 16" wheels to aid with rough roads here in PA, and my question was not as concened with luggage space, etc., but more with personal comfort when commuting.

 

My S.O. lives about 20mi from me, 40mi round trip. About a 35-40min drive. I love the drive to see him! I still enjoy seeing all the people stop and stare and point at my MINI. Not to mention listening to my HK system and heated leather seats (winter use primarily, or cool summer nights).

NOW, I find drives that are less than 25-30mins to be too short!

 

I've had no real comfort problems to report on long trips. I just took a 550 mile drive thru southern parts of AZ on Saturday. No cramps or anything else to report on. My wife was a passenger and she had no problems either.

 

The Support the seats give actually enhance the drive.... not that being in a MINI is enhancement enough!

 

:smile:

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

Last Thanksgiving I took Alice to the Grand Canyon, about 280 miles each way. Very comfortable. My wife also had no discomfort with a 4.5 hour each way trip in 2 days. Since it was a "finish break-in" trip, I couldn't use the cruise control for the trip there. Still no problems.
And welcome to MCO.

 

My MINI has been on several 3-6 hour trips since purchased and it's wonderful! I've been both driver and passenger...

Only complaint is from the dog...he's been on several trips with me alone...took his first "family trip" with us this weekend for a 5 1/2 hour trip to northwestern NY (from Philly) and spent most of the time in the back seat with the luggage...although we gave him more than enough room, he just kept looking at me with a disgruntled look because I was sitting in his seat (the passenger seat)...annoyed the heck out of him! He likes to sit there, and when the mood hits him, move to the back window to watch the cars behind us! Loves the MINI, hates not having full run of the car!

In all seriousness, the MINI is very comfortable for a day trip...I only have an 8 mile commute to work - All I can say is this is probably the first time ever I've wished I had a longer commute!

Cyndy

 

I've taken a couple of 5 hour plus road trips. You're rear-end gets a little tired, but that would happen in just about any vehicle. I took a little while to get used to no arm rest (even on short drives), but I'm keeping both hands on the wheel a lot more, which is what everyone who drives should be doing anyway. (2:00 and 10:00).

 

1800 miles from NYC to Denver
3600 miles from Denver to Canada and back
3600 miles from Denver to Southern California and back

I don't miss the center arm rest one bit. I find the sport seats (leather with the adjustable lumbar) to be comfortable for the long haul - 14 to 16 hour days of driving. The MINI will also pack along an amazing amount of stuff if it's just a two person trip and you can fold the seats down.

Dave

 

Hiya!

I drove my Wicked Wanda, an all-Jet Black MCS, more than 10,000 miles on my 6-week cross-country roadtrip recently!

 

Thanks for all of your insightful comments! They help to convince myself to not worry so much...

 

In a word: AWESOME!

We have put over 1,300 miles in roadtrips alone around the state of Florida. The car is superb...feels on rails at 80MPH+ speeds, very stable and turbulence caused by passing big trucks and crosswinds do not bother the car one bit.

Also I am pleased with the almost non-existant level of windnoise given the rather steep and square shape of the car and windshield.

We got the standard seats and while the seat back doesn't bother me, my rear end aches after 4 hours of continous driving. I hope this will get better when I get my new '04 MCS with the sport seats.

The MINI is an awesome long distance traveller!


(PS: Get the cruise control...a MUST!)

 

I think that after you have your MINI, you may upgrade your definition of "long trip" to be a bit more than a 50 mile round trip.

 

".... I live in a remote area which means that every time I want to go to a nice restaurant or even just to the movies, we're talking 45 miles, round trip. Not to mention the 50 mile round trip to work every day... Do any of you get physically tired after driving the car for, let's say, 35-40 minutes or more? A friend of mine who works at the BMW dealership where I ordered the car said that anything over 30 minutes is too much for him..."


Oh to live in a remote place that I could go 45 miles in 35 to 40 MINIutes err minutes. My 13 mile commute home sometimes takes 30 MINIutes and I find the time a lot less stress filled as compared to when they were say Honda minutes. So the answer for the daily drives I would say is no problem.

I have done several long trips and found the MINI comes into its own on the road. I live near Washington DC and have done drives to Melborn Fl, Charlotte NC, Nashville TN, and Robbinsville NC. I have a Cooper with the SS+. I picked up the car on 28 Sep 02 and have a little over 18 k miles on it so far. You want the cruse controle, and sport seats on your car. You may want to consider getting 16 vs 17 inch wheels if the roads you will drive are rough. When you pick up your car get to know everything before you go on a trip. You likely know it is important to get to know a car befor a long trip but the writers at Edmunds doing the long term test did not. They suffered on a long drive and then blamed the car.

The car is not a Caddie but that point :smile:
Hope you join us and if you do enjoy the car.

 

[quote]Originally posted by jsun:
I think that after you have your MINI, you may upgrade your definition of "long trip" to be a bit more than a 50 mile round trip.

 

I have driven my MINI on several long trips of 4-6 hours each way. It has performed very well for me. The only discomfort I have is sometimes my right leg gets a little uncomfortable. I like to lean my right leg out toward the downtubes/center console, and when I do, my leg pushes against the downtube and causes some discomfort.

I've just forced myself to drive properly and keep my leg upright. :smile: Cruise is nice on long trips, so you can move your legs around a little. Adjusting the seat height higher has also helped me on longer trips.

See ya,
JS

 

The longest so far is halfway across NYS, and I woudln't have done it in any other car.. it's no couch on wheels, but it's a heck of a lot better feeling then my wife's cavalier.. (or my old cavalier for that matter)

Rocketboy_X

 

I drove my MC from Albany, NY to Florida TWICE this year, and took it once down to Deals Gap, NC...and I really enjoyed it! The last time I drove down to FL, my car was packed to the brim with luggage, my best friend, and my two cats! We had a great trip-drove straight through with only a few stops. Gas mileage is AWESOME! Comfort is great-my friend said she was also very comfortable and we were squished!!! We even used the vents in the glovebox to keep some sandwiches cold!!!

Erin

 

Recently drove from Chicago to New Orleans (997 miles each way, non-stop each time) and back without one issue. In fact it was quite refreshing. Steady 75 to 80 mph all the way down with the AC on during the day. Looking forward to my next road trip.

 

Ill let you know, as I will be driving from New York to Califonia in September...ACROSS THE WHOLE FREAKIN COUNTRY! I just hope the wheels and doors dont fall off while Im driving.

 

I've done the NJ to FL trip several times, and it is comfortable and smooth. About 1100 miles each way. Put on about 21,000 miles since new in November.

~Joe

_________________

 

The 1st week of June I went from Orlando to the mountains of NC. Covered about 1400 miles. I have the sport seats and was very comfortable. That was my 2nd trip to the mountains. I think the MINI is a great long distance tourer.
MB

 

Did Denver to Saginaw, MI in April. I had a couple of 12 hour driving days on the trip and I was alone. I don't recommend doing long trips alone. I wasn't really tired at the end of the days, just a bit stiff. Thank goodness for cruise control.

 

>> Ill let you know, as I will be driving from New York to Califonia in September...ACROSS THE WHOLE FREAKIN COUNTRY! I just hope the wheels and doors dont fall off while Im driving.

Now THATS a road trip!