I'm now just weeks away from picking up our new MINI for a cross-country drive home and wanted to ask the NAM community for any advice, tips and tricks.

Protection:
I'm having a clear bra installed when I return home, but wanted to have some protection for the drive home. Is Colgan the way to go or are there other options that need considering.

Break In:
Has anyone else broken in their new MINI by driving cross country? The route I've planned takes advantage of as many winding two-lane roads as possible, however, there's several long stretches of interstate highways that simply can't be avoided.

Additional Equipment/Gear:
I'm planning to put together an emergency kit to pack along with my iPod, radar detector, cell phone, maps, AAA membership and thermoelectric cooler. Anything missing?

Thanks in advance for any advice you're willing to pass along!

Miles

 

Hey, Miles! Congrats on the upcoming trip! I took Wanda on a 10,000 mile cross-country roadtrip when she was a week old. It was fantastic and I am currently on my third annual springtime cross-country roadtrip!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...2&page=1&pp=25

I think the clearbra is a great idea, but would caution you against the Colgan. I put a Colgan on Wanda last year, and after driving through some rainstorms, some grit got between the bra and her bonnet, causing permanent damage to her paint. I will have to re-paint her at some point.

If you can, get an aftermarket Navigation system. Garmin makes some nice hand-helds that you can clamp onto the windshield or the pricier Street Pilot or 2610. I have the 2610 and it is fantastic! No more maps needed! I love reading maps, but do so on my Garmin now.

Radar detector is a good idea! LMAO! You may need a splitter to power all your electronics. :smile:


Clover

 

Protection:
If you can manage it, I'd get the clearbra done where you pick up the car. Otherwise it's sort of closing the barn door after the horses are out...

Gear:
Note that it's a LONG way from the windshield to the lighter socket - so assuming you have a corded radar detector, be sure you have a LONG cord. I ended up not using my V1 as it stretched the cord big time- right across the stereo.

I second Clo's suggestion about a GPS. They rock!

You can probably pass on the ice scraper (I went in Feb!) but you should bring water. And a quart of oil - some cars burn a bit at break in.
Also, I'd contemplate a small compressor and plug type tire repair kit. Sure, you've got run flats, but if a flat happens in the middle of nowhere and you ruin the tire, they're not the easiest to replace!
Break-in: They say to vary the engine speed - so no cruise control for the first 1,200 miles. Maybe shift from 6th to 5th (if MCS) occasionally.

Enjoy the trip!

 

If your going for the radar detector make sure you get the V1

maybe even a little Lidatek LE-30 Laser Jammer on the side

Make sure you have some water (for you and the car)... vary engine speed as much as possible Dont' go over 5000-rpms (I think could be 5500). After the 1200 you can start pushing it a bit.

Oil is a must (might even bring 2 quarts). Cell Phone (to call aaa or mini in case of a problem) (I wish they had bmw assist on the minis).

You should be fine happy motoring

 

I strap a one Ltr camelback water bag to the head rest mounts. Got mine from REI but there are other places to pick one up. Mine is insulated, a sip of cold water does wonders for keeping you awake.

errrr ... Just don't drink the ltr all a once and expect to make good driving time.

The cell phone was a good idea but don't count on it in the country, they are only good if they see a tower. Hit the state web sites to make a list of out of the way places you want to hit.
John

 

:smile: Oh yes, be sure to have your digicam and plenty of storage for all the roadpix!


Clover

 

With a V-1 radar detector, you can use a length of ordinary straight (non coiled) telephone cord. Slip in under the headliner and down the a-pillar of the passenger side and you can mount it without any ugly cords hanging.

My next best piece of advice for a x-country road trip is to buy a pound of chocolate covered espresso beans. Eat one every 5-10 minutes to stay alert

 

Be ready to answer MINI inquiries at rest areas.


Oh, it goes without saying, you'll definitely need to take pics to share with us!

 

A small class ABC fire extinguisher is always nice to have around, especially on a long trip

 

In my folder with the Owner's Manual, there was a "MINI Atlas" which showed the locations of MINI dealers in every state, as well as some (ahem) interesting attractions. This might be useful in your route-planning, if you can flex a bit from your current route.

One last hint: the "tool kit", which includes a small but valuable device for pulling off the center caps of V-Spoke wheels, is likely stuffed into the battery compartment. Mentioning this because even though my MA showed it to me (I had it out, opened, playing with the various implements) at delivery time, I STILL spaced where it was, when I had some time to "practice" jacking the car and wheel removal, etc. .

One of the drawbacks of a chemically enhanced lifestyle, I suppose.

Have a safe journey,
Tatt

 

By the way, where are you picking up your MINI and what states will you be traversing?
Maybe local MINIacs can drive up alongside the freeways/expressways and wave at you.

 

Try and see if you can get the clear bra installed locally before taking delivery of the car. If you can't, I recommend the Colgan Custom Vinyl Bra. I have 2 MINIs (A MCS and Cooper CVT) and each has its own Colgan custom bra. No problems to speak of and provides reasonable front end protection.

One thing you have to keep in mind when using Vinyl bras is that you have or shall I say, you MUST keep both the car and underneath the bra pristine, otherwise you could experience the problems that MINICLO just made reference to.

If you don't think you will have the time, patience or place to remove the bra everyday of your road trip and clean it as well as the car, then skip it and get the clear bra installed before hand.

The Colgan custom product is excellent in my book, but these bras demand high maintenance to be effective, otherwise you can experience clearcoat sanding problems.

 

Thanks for all the great tips...love the camel pack water, espresso beans and repair kit items (should at least look like I know what I'm doing).

After looking into the different radar detectors, I decided on the new Escort Passport 8500 which has already come in handy. The digital lifestyle has also prompted me to purchase the splitter per MINIclo's suggestion.

Good suggestion on the limited cell phone coverage. A good friend offered his satellite phone for the week which I'll probably take and hope I don't have to use.

I also appreciate the feedback on the bra. My dealer suggested I get this done when I return home for warranty purposes. However, it sounds like it might be better to waive the warranty and have this done out of town to provide more immediate protection.

Thanks everyone..now I just need to figure out where the best winding roads are. Stay tuned for pics and a trip report.

Best,
Miles

 

Yeah! Do tell! I'll be motoring cross country at the end of May to pick up my new CR/W MCS from Classic. I'll be sure to add a few 'key' items too. Love the Camelbak idea! Great!

Happy Motoring!



-Cyn

 

My only advice to you is........HAVE A BLAST!!! And cherish every moment...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB on it's way - no name yet

 

My wife and I did the cross-country thing last summer: to the left coast via the south, back to the right coast via the north. Total miles 9,500.

Three things we found really useful:

Windex Wipes - you can get a package of about 25 wipes and they store flat. They do an excellent job of cleaning the windscreen and headlights. You can be a great distance from a gas station and have a windscreen full of bug guts!

Easy Snacks - we took gorp and squeezable peanut butter and stoned wheat crackers. There were a number of times that we found the need for quick energy and were quite a distance from a food stop. When you do get to a store, these items can be restocked easily.

A Thermos - load up at the coffee shop and keep it handy for those semi-narcoleptic periods.

On the cautionary front, take:
- a litre of coolant
- jumper cables
- flares
- large, powerfull flashlight (and replacement batteries)
- several dollars in change
- medical insurance information
- 800 numbers for customer service of all credit cards in your wallet (we needed this!)

Also, we did a lot of hiking in July/August in the Southwest and found the following absolutely necessary:
- lots of water...I'm deadly serious about this!
- A hat with a fairly wide brim
- SPF 1,000,000 sun tan lotion

Please share the details of your journey with us!

Theo

 

Excellent advise! Hope to see you at MOT!!!!

-Cyn

 

Cyn,

Perhaps we'll bump into each other in May.

We're picking up our PW/B MCS from Classic in end of May (21st to be exact) from where we'll be driving 8-9 days home to Seattle.

Somebody asked about which states we're driving through...here's our rough itinerary so far:
day 1: Mentor - Chicago
day 2: Chicago - Minnesota (along Great River Road and Historic Bluff Country scenic byways)
day 3: ? - mid South Dakota (long day of interstate driving...will try to vary the RPMs)
day 4: Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Peter Norbeck scenic byway, Needles Highway, Deadwood, Devils Tower
day 5: Devils Tower - Cody Wyoming
day 6: Yellowstone
day 7: spa day (wife) and flyfishing (me) in Chico Hotsprings Montana
day 8: Chico/Bozeman - Coeur D'Alene
day 9: Coeur D'Alene - Seattle

Phew! Will be exhausting but fun!

Miles

 

It'll be cool to know there will be another MINI out there on the highway motoring along. You'll probably just be getting home when we will be heading out. Maybe our MINI's will be ship mates?! Thanks for sharing your itinerary! I haven't been able to sit down with a map book yet to plot out out course...so yours is very helpful. We're hoping to hit Bryce, Zion and Moab (mountain bike Mecca)...aside from that it's pretty open.

I was also looking in to hitting the Italian Job coaster in Ohio...if it's open.

 

What a fantastic drive you have in store!

A few years ago we went to Mt Rushmore, the black hills area, Devils tower, Cody (Go to the Museum which is referred to as the "Smithsonian of the West") and Yellowstone NP. Wyoming is beautiful, impressive and a big state. The natural beauty of Yellowstone is like no other place in the world. If you can take a slight detour south, I highly recommend visiting Grand Tetons NP, the nearby Jackson Hole and perhaps taking an early morning hot Balloon ride above the Grand Teton Valley. We did it and it was an absolute unforgettable experience. Also be sure to drive to the majestic Big Horn mountains. The road (I believe is US16B or US16A) coming out of the Big horns into Cody is incredible...you'll fell like you a driving in Mars is that beautiful and spooky at the same time.

We will be in Seattle early May, maybe I can look you up to have lunch or something .

 

These were, by far, our favorite stops (outside of the NM/AZ area). If you like to hike, The Badlands is one of the most eerie areas for hiking. You feel as if you are on the moon. Such stark beauty!

Mt. Rushmore was an obligatory stop. It was ok. I really preferred the Crazy Horse memorial south of Rushmore. They have an incredible museum of Native American culture, including some amazing historic collections of pottery, clothing and crafts. If you are into Indian culture, this is a must see! Stop at the cafe for a buffalo-burger.

Deadwood was a cool "old west meets turn-of-the-century" kinda place. Somewhat too commercial now but building codes have been changed and, since being granted the status of "an Historic Place", much is being done to restore the town.

Devil's Tower was also pretty neat since it sit out on the plains and looks kinda out of place. Take some time there to hike toward the base and bring binoculars to check out the climbers. One of the lesser known attractions at Devil's Tower is the Prarie Dog City that occupies the fields to your left as you head toward the Tower through the park entrance. These critters are a lot of fun to watch, and if you sit on the ground and don't make sudden movements, they will come to with 20 feet or so.

Yellowstone. What can I say? Next to Santorini in Greece, it is my favorite spot on Earth. Sorry you will only be spending a day there. We stayed 2 days and really wanted/needed more time. Check out the elk and buffalo herds, the geyser/thermal pools area, and hike down to south falls in the little grand caynon. We'll be going back for a few weeks in the next several years.

Have fun!

Theo

 

This is not enough for break-in. You need to vary the LOAD on the engine, not just the RPM's. This is acheived by speeding up and slowing down.

If you understand what you are trying to achieve then you have a better chance of doing a proper break-in. The goal is to 'seat the piston rings'. These rings sit in a groove in the side of the piston and have some movement, but not much. As they move up and down the bore they will bed in, just like your brake pads do on the disc. By varying engine load this bed-in will make the best seal to prevent gasses from bypassing the ring into the crank case. There is also an oil control ring (between the two actual piston rings) that when seated correctly will result in reduced oil consumption.

 

Good advise! This thread has been great! Thanks everyone for sharing!

 

Also - if you're going to do the espresso beans, pleeeeeeeze don't forget the toothpaste/toothpick/waterpik/mouthwash. Those bean pieces get hooked into every nook & cranny in your teeth. Remember, you'll be smiling ear-to-ear and we wouldn't want you to represent the happy MINI motorist with that crap in your teeth!

 

too true! (i just spent loads of money that i don't precisely "have", at the dentist, dang it - you better believe it I'm takin' my 'lectric toothbrush and a spool o' floss)

*sigh*