As the subject of this thread says, this is my story of taking delivery and doing a 600 mile road trip to bring it home. Some personal background may be necessary because I am sure that it has affected my judgement regarding my Cooper. I have not owned a car since June 1996 and have only diven a car 3 times since then ( that was to get my license renewed after letting it expire). I began researching cars in July 2001, signed up on a MINI dealers waiting list in November 2001, the dealer dishonored the list in March 2002 and I then finally ordered from MINI of Murray at the end of September 2002. Took delivery yesterday, January 3, 2003. I subscribe to a modified "break it in like you drive it" method of car break in. That is to say I like to drive it where I normaly will drive and drive it as I would normaly drive but not to exceed the break in limits. I therefore selected to drive it home, Reno, from Salt Lake City via "The Lonsomest Highway in America", this is US 50 streatching east-west across Nevada and includes a mountain pass about every 50 miles or less.. To get there I took UT 68 South to US 6 then West until 6 & 50 become one road in Delta, UT. I practiced starting with the manual transmision for a few minutes in the residential area behind the dealership (last used a manual about 20 yaers ago) before starting out of town. I had to drive through about 10 miles of suburbs with a little stop and go before getting into the countryside and some rolling/twisting road. I made it a practice to stop about once an hour to stop the car, restart and go through all the gears in a normal (for me) starting sequence; this again my consession to the break in process. I had never test driven a MINI prior to getting in my own and driving it off the lot but it felt very comfortable and "normal". The only crowding/cramping that I felt was in the foot well and this was not a problem only a feeling since all my other cars have had much more room. The steering is responsive and is not as forgiving as most cars that I have owned; you must pay attention to what the car is doing and drive it, the steering wheel doesn't just move around - when it moves the car moves! It was after about an hour that I finally discovered something else that was different to me; I couldn't see any of the car in front of the windshield. I realised that all other cars that I have owned I would use the front fenders as aiming/sighting devices when going into road curves. It took a little time for me to discover what I was missing but I then realised what I and the car were doing without my normal sighting device. The car and I the driver were operating more like my bicycle and me the rider; the car went where I looked in the same way that my bicycle does. A very interesting observation (for me) and a new driving experience. I usually obey speed limits and did so on this road trip. However, when I reached the first short mountain pass in Utah on US 50 the speed limit was 65 with 8 miles of curvy road indicated ahead and a car coming up fast behind me. As we entered the curvy section the other driver was anticipating a pass and I decided to press the curve speed limit a little bit; if it indicated 45 or more I stayed at 65 if it was less that 45 I stayed 20 mph over. By the 1/2 way point the car behind me had disappeared and I am now hooked. The car tracks through a curve like it is on rails! I drove this route once before in a 1990 Toyota Celica and can remember trying such "curve speed limit enhancement" driving and remember that it felt skittish as hell at even lesser speeds. Cousin MINI (I had her named before taking delivery) cruised easily at 3000RPM and 65MPH in 5th. I even did two the the summits west of Ely in 4th to press her RPMs up a bit and she maintained 60-65MPH at just under or over 4000RPM; another concession to break in. I have the OBC and was trying to understand how it works on the drive back also so I don't have a total trip picture of average speed a mpg but some of the mpg numbers that I was seeing were not far from the first fillups manually computed 39.2mpg. Now I don't know how full full was when I got it but I called it full at the auto shut off plus about 1/10 gal. For a tight engine and my driving style on this break in trip I was amazed! With her cruise control, the "right" roads and a loosened up engine I'm convinced that I can get 50mpg out of Cousin MINI if I just treat her nice. Now for the bad news. Well it's not even news, it has been discussed, discussed and discussed but I still had no IDEA. The amount of break dust on Cousin MINIs wheels is disgusting after 600 miles! I have my work cut out for me tomorrow!
One final comment, she is named Cousin MINI after Minnie Pearl who started everyone of her acts with the audience greeting "HOWDEEEEE, I'm just so proud to be here". That is the way I now feel with Cousin MINI where ever I happen to be!

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2003 Cooper 11/4 Build, Received @ Terminal 11/6, Sailed 11/18 - Otello, Unloaded 12/10, At the Dealer 12/23
Velvet Red w/White Roof and Wheels, Black interior & trim, Cold Pak MFSW, DSC

 

THIS, what you described, is how everybody feels and WHAT I am looking forward to.

Thanks...

 

Thanks for taking the time to type in your saga .. All the reasons why: I've never owned an auto tran, a big car, like mpg as a criteria for purchase, and the sheer JOY of motoring. I simply cannot wait 'til February. Maybe I'll fly out to the POE to greet my yet unnamed MC (it's only a few miles less than how far I am from a dealer ... LOL).

 

I drove Buster like an idiot from day 1 with NO! breakin and constant red lining. Aprox. 6000 miles now. Runs like a bandit. No problems. ---Endless grins----I 'm a 57year old kid again! The most fun I've had sence 16 years ago when driving one of 11 previously owned classic Mini's

 

Glad to hear you took such a long road trip as soon as you got your MINI. I've been concerned that I wouldn't be able to make the 650 mile trip to see my folks out in Indiana only two weeks after getting my MINI this coming June.

The fact that you went about the same distance with no problems at all is a relief.

My only remaining concern is the RPM's during break-in. I've heard they recommend not going above 4000 for the first 1500 miles but I'll be in a CVT Cooper and don't know if I'll be able to maintain highway speeds 65+, on the trip from Philly to Indy. Anyone out there with a CVT have an answer?

Bill

 

>>I have not owned a car since June 1996 and have only diven a car 3 times since then ( that was to get my license renewed after letting it expire).

edlfrey, I'm happy to see that someone else with a similar driving history as mine has had such a great experience driving their MINI the first time. Oh, but now I've let everyone else in on my deep, dark secret!

I have not driven (except for my test drive) since 1994. That was when my hubby and I moved to the city and sold 2 of our 3 cars, keeping our Miata. The ceassation of my driving happened quite by accident: I didn't need to drive to work, or to the store...plus it frequently would have been a bigger hassle to drive instead of taking a cab or walking. Whenever hubby and I went places together, he drove.

My hubby then traded in the Miata for a Z3 about 5 years ago. I am very short (only 4' 10&quot, and found that I simply cannot drive the Z3 safely. I have to sit far too close to the steering wheel and still have very low visibility. As a result, I have continued to not drive.

My first real drive since 1994 will be in my MINI when he arrives this month. My dealership is in the suburbs. To get MINI home, I will have to negotiate a busy toll plaza, the traffic around O'Hare, the Kennedy expressway, and bumper-to-bumper city driving. I have been mentally rehearsing for months now, focussing on shifting properly and keeping my car in my lane. I really like your analogy about riding and steering a bike, as I ride quite a bit and I can totally relate to that comparison.

Thanks for sharing, edlfrey! :smile:

 

my sister's husband in 35 and has never learned to drive. He grew up in manhattan, and now they live in Boston.

 

>>My only remaining concern is the RPM's during break-in. I've heard they recommend not going above 4000 for the first 1500 miles but I'll be in a CVT Cooper and don't know if I'll be able to maintain highway speeds 65+, on the trip from Philly to Indy. Anyone out there with a CVT have an answer?
>>
>>Bill

Bill,
I don't have a CVT but at 4500rpm the max during break-in a 5 speed Cooper will be going 95mph. Don't think a CVT equipt Coop will do much less. Enjoy your trip back to Indy.
Motor on. :smile:

 

I think the State Troopers in PA, OH, and IN would have something to say about 95mph!! My 88 Dodge Shadow is only doing about 75 at 4500RPM!!!

 

115+ on the way home from the dealer with my "S"

 

The amount of break dust on Cousin MINIs wheels is disgusting after 600 miles! I have my work cut out for me tomorrow!

Invest in a case of wheel/tire cleaner. Spray it on and hose it off. After a quick whipe down you are as good as new. This turns a back breaking job into a quick 5 minute stop. There are some aftermarket brakepads that help also, but they are a bit more expensive.

 

we have the CVT -- no problem cruising at high speeds i assure you.

i do subscribe to the break in period though. one thing i always try to do is not mantain a constant speed so the rings don't wear in at a certain RPM in the cylinders. i think it's small amount of time to wait for the break in and overall i think the engine will last longer...

curt

 

we have the CVT -- no problem cruising at high speeds i assure you.

i do subscribe to the break in period though. one thing i always try to do is not mantain a constant speed so the rings don't wear in at a certain RPM in the cylinders. i think it's small amount of time to wait for the break in and overall i think the engine will last longer...

curt