Well I leave for Florida, on Saturday. Going all the way from New York. I was wondering if you guys have any advice on moving in the MINI? I know DiD might have some wisdom to share after his move to CA. I did a "dry run" today and it looks like the car is gunna be pretty packed. I am wondering if maybe I should tape off edges of boxes ect... to prevent them from "snagging" my tints. I am very surprised actually just how much the MINI holds. I mean I always knew it, but when you actually see it loaded up its different. Also what is the max cargo wieght the MINI can hold, I dont wanna kill the poor car. Man, this car is gunna be driving SLOW on the highway. I hope I dont fry those 4 cylinders.

 

We drove from Miami to Williamsburg, VA in Sport Mode mode in about 3 days (6 hours of straight driving each day more or less).

We were pretty loaded in the back and the CVT performed flawlessly. These are pretty tough little cars. No need for extra pampering. The CVT loves the highway!

Have fun in your trip! Where are you moving into Florida?

 

Get a bigger moving truck that it fits in is my advice...

Good luch with the move man.

 

I managed almost 90 all the way to L.A., fully loaded with the mountain bike on top. Fuel burning fast on an empty tank.

My only real advice is to plan how you pack. Don't bring anything you could buy at Target once you arrive.

 

>>We drove from Miami to Williamsburg, VA in Sport Mode mode in about 3 days (6 hours of straight driving each day more or less).
>>
>>We were pretty loaded in the back and the CVT performed flawlessly. These are pretty tough little cars. No need for extra pampering. The CVT loves the highway!
>>
>>Have fun in your trip! Where are you moving into Florida?

Thanks Cooper4Us and Xanthius, was worried about stressing the tranny. Keeping my fingers crossed. I am moving to Sarasota. The closest dealer is 60 miles away, which is Ferman...so I am a little worried about that. There service hours are Mon to Fri 9-5 which sucks cause how am I gunna get there with those hours with my job? But I will deal. I will be stopping in Washington DC to visit my bro at college, then from there it will be a straight shot on 95.

 

>>I managed almost 90 all the way to L.A., fully loaded with the mountain bike on top. Fuel burning fast on an empty tank.
>>
>>My only real advice is to plan how you pack. Don't bring anything you could buy at Target once you arrive.
>>
>>

 

I really hate to carry large loads in the MINI and occasionally I do. It's like driving a glass car, I'm in knots the whole way... hope you can relax better than I.

God speed.

 

If it does not fit, you really don't need it.
Max cargo weight is 800+lbs, check the door. This includes you. It is only ~130lbs less than a Lincoln Aviator.

 

Good luck and don't forget to inflate your tires for max load 4 people plus. Depending on your tires about 37 to 38 psi cold. Looks like the car will be riding pretty low based on the other picture above. Would it help to mail anything book rate? UPS Ground anything else bulky or heavy?

Your visibility will be limited to keep the lane changes down to a minimum and try to pre-navigate when you can.

 

Oh good reminder. Forgot that about the tires. Hopefully the NAV system will be doing all the pre-navigating I need.

 

I would suggest to wrap the backs of the front seats with some cloth protection as the scratch easily.

 

Noticed your roof rack, what type is it and how does it fit and work? Thanks

 

My playstation was an essential item too.

 

:smile: As others have said, put a blanket or something down on the seat backs to protect them from getting scratched......and after you have everything in the MINI, if you can, put something around EVERYTHING to pad it all from marking up your interior.... :smile:

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

Thanks Donna, think I wll cover everything in the back with a sheet.

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DiD,

I like the singleated MTB on the Mini! That'll be me, come December.

Eric

 

Yeah, I really like the simplicity of the singulator. It's a v. nice way to convert an older hardtail into a fun bike to kick around on, plus it forces some new challenges onto the trail. :smile:

BTW, Welcome to NAMotoring.

Dave



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PM DiD
dave@northamericanmotoring.com

 

Good luck with the move ants! Im sure your mini will make it fine :smile:

 

Antz,
Have a safe trip. :smile:

All good things :smile:
Relax...enjoy the adventure.....

Don't follow a path...instead make your own path...and leave a trail !!!!!

Peace,
D

 

How cool would it be if you had no more stuff than what you could fit in your MINI? I long for such a simple life!!! Save for the wife and kids, I swear I could throw it all away.

God speed.

 

Thanks everyone, Ill try and post from the road and give an update. I leave tommorow morning.

 

hey DiD, what's that bike rack? The Mont Blanc?

 

The bike rack I have uses parts from Yakima and Thule.

The towers, clips, and load bars are from Yakima. The bike trays are the Thule Velovices. As I said above, I drove out to California from Denver (14 hours) and maintained a highway speed of 85-90 most of the way. I noticed no detrimental effects to the rack or to my car from having the rack on and under load for that long.

 

>>Thanks everyone, Ill try and post from the road and give an update. I leave tommorow morning.
>>
good luck, Ant
have a nice trip,
see ya next fall

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The NAV did a decent job of taking me around Florida, but unlike my northeast map set, the southeast set tends to have very little rural coverage. Fine if you are on a highway, but stray off even to a gas station on a small road and you will be admonished by the NAV voice that 'you are not on a digitized road'. Things get better in and around populated areas though.

I drove from MD to Orlando via Atlanta and back in April, with a little over 2000 miles on the car, my only prep being an oil change I did myself, and a washing. The car performed flawlessly, and was a blast to drive. Even packed to the gills I still managed about 30 mpg at a trip average speed of 71 mph, stretches several hundred miles at 85-95 mph, and a few triple digit runs in the middle of nowhere. Almost 2500 miles in total.

You'll do just fine. Just be prepared to be cleaning off a lot of bugs. It's nasty!