I was headed to pickup my wife for lunch as I was headed down the highway heard something that sounded like metal hitting my fender well instantly my tpms light came on. I pulled over and could here the leak. So I jumped back in my mini and headed to a tire shop on the way to my wife's work. I called my wife to pick me up while they fixed the tire. Came back after lunch and guess what they could not repair it I took a look at the tire it had a big slash in the side wall. They would have to order a tire my mini would be stranded.
In another story. My wife stopped by her parents house. She came out and her car would not start. The shift lever bushing went bad and I could not get under the car to put tie wire on it so it was stuck there until the next night when I could take my Jack up there so it was stranded.

I would like to know what has stranded you so I can fix it now instead of when it happens on the road.

 

I only had to get it towed once for something serious. I was on the highway when I started to hear a grinding/metallic noise. The alternator was eating one of its bearing and since I didn't want to risk it seizing up, throwing the belt and letting the tensionner hit the crank pulley... I called my road side assistance.

 

I got towed 3 times last year. 1 crash, 1 fuel pump, 1 coil. Lucky I had an old coil. The fuel pump I ordered ad had it running 2 days later. The crash took a week to source the parts and repair.

 

Great idea for a thread! Unfortunately you will probably end up replacing every part on your car...

 

Did not exactly get me stranded, but these caused me worries on the road:
-Alternator died. Lucky to baby it home w/o overheating.
-Crank pulley failed. Again, lucky to baby it home w/o overheating
-Dead battery.

 

Dead Battery.

My OEM battery lasted 6 yrs, the Red Top Optima battery which left me stranded recently lasted just 3......

MINI runs great one minute, come out from Dr.'s appointment 1/2 hr later after a one hour drive and it doesn't start and will do this with no forewarning in a MINI.

If in the 5th year mark on same battery, and are often away on the road change it regardless of how it starts now and save yourself some time.

 

Pot hole directly adjacent to train track. Ripped the tire open and destroyed the wheel. Train track 1 - MINI 0.

Can't blame the car obviously.

 

Alternator died while out on the back roads. Drove as far as the battery would let me, about 40 miles. Then called the AAA for a roll-back.

 

Clutch went on a busy highway but I was able to limp out of it and wait for a tow truck.

 

TO bearing

 

Actually I should clarify that it was the TOB that failed not the clutch itself but since is part of it I'll blame it too lol.
The next thing to go will be my shift cables they are acting up.

 

+1 This might help somebody, any clutch related issue won't completely strand you, if the engine and transmission are still working
I learned this after waitiing 2 + hours for a towing truck last Friday at a very busy street
Disclaimer: Try this at your own risk
With the engine off, transmission will let you go into any gear of your choice with out clutch. go into first gear and start the car depressing your failed clutch ( this is to fool the switch underneath the clutch lever) your car will puff up and move forward and engine will start. drive up find a downhill somewhere you can stop safely. same technique as before , this time put into 3rd gear and drive home.

remember, if you happen to or have to stop on an uphill, you won't be able to get moving again.
evaluate the situation, plan your route and if there is more risk of stalled at a busy intersection, this might help you

 

I had the alternator and starter die on me. Went from everything is just fine to dead, while out running around.