Next month I have to deliver a small book collection to a friend about 800 miles away (pretty much all freeway driving). My first thought was to get a rental car and not worry about wear and tear on my Mini. But after weighing the collection it's quite a bit lighter than I first thought it would be. Packed it comes out right about 400lbs. or less. I'm 170lbs. So there would be about a total of 600lbs. in the car.


I already have the complete backseat removed from the car so there's plenty of room and load can sit low.


Any reason a load like this would cause any damage or accelerate any wear on components I should consider?


A rental is not really that much money, but using my own car is a little easier as far as not sticking to a schedule, etc.


Any thoughts or experience with carrying loads in these cars would be appreciated.

 

your answer is in your owner's manual

have one? http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/2006...734.1357770187

it lists the maximum load: cargo (people) and luggage as 816 pounds ....

you should be fine. Check the tire inflation sticker and ensure you are inflated to 'full load' specifications.

 

Your fine, my buddy and I put over 400lbs of tools in his daily and used it for some craigslist mobile mechanic side work for months. No different than having a few passengers.

 

i say, rent a car...its only 25-30$ a day. peace of mind.

get a corolla or something...40mpg on the highway....the money u save on gas pays for the rental. no brainer

 

I vote rental too, but I've carried more weight than that in a mini with no problems. In my 20's I was a seasonal guide, skiing and paddling, so I'd load everything I owned in/on my mini and drive cross country to different jobs. That car went over 150,000 miles before a snow plow turned in front of me and totaled it. I don't think I had any accelerated wear due to carrying loads, I kept an eye on fluid levels and air pressures but you should be fine.

 

Renting a car to carry the weight of two passengers seems a waste of your money.

 

Why not....sounds like 2 people plus a few bags...plus a driver .
It's a car...if you can hurt it by having the equivalent of you plus two adults and bags, why have it as a car?!
Folks will go crazy..say the "book" says .....
But reality it is a 4 seat car....and you will be lighter than if 4 seats were full with people.
Kinda like a thread...should I rent a car or drive my mini 1000 miles... come-on folks!! It's a car!! It's sold as a car. Use it like a car!!

 

exactly it's meant to be driven

 

I agree weight is a non issue. Renting for a trip like that is hardly wasting money though. Figure those miles will cost you $100 or 2 in depreciation / maintenance on your car. Even if you do a week rental you do ok money wise.

 

All freeway you say. Why not use google maps, option out highways and tolls then take the road least traveled and make an adventure out of it. Isn't that why you bought a MINI and what MINI motoring is all about?
Weight isn't that much of an issue. Had someone show up once with more luggage weight (and body weight) than allowed. I just added 5° flaps and used a bit more runway. Your solution, add a bit more air to the tires except you're not over weight.