Hi,
wondering if anyone has advice on what I can do to my mini to help it on dirt roads. Assuming I get it (see damaged at port thread), I would like to know if there are any aftermarket etc. things I can do. I am going to add mud flaps but I'm more concerned about the structural things. I have only ever driven diesel trucks so this will be quite a change for me Bought the mini because I will be driving into DC about 4 days a week, and it'll be so much easier than parking the truck not to mention the fuel saved! Problem is I live on a farm- about 2 miles of dirt roads to get there and I'm worried for my mini. Should I lift it a little? ha ha I've only seen posts about people wanting to lower Can you get tougher shocks, or a protective underbody plate?
thanks

 

Their are several vendors that sell front skid plates that protect the power steering pump and engine bottom. Otherwise the MINI is pretty tough. If your roads are particularly rutty you might want to upgrade the rear control arms as the stamped steel arms are not as robust. MINIs are often rally cars and properly equipped can take on some serious terrain. If and when the all wheel drive MINI becomes available I can see your name on top of the list for it!!

 

If you're going to be driving on dirt roads, I'd also highly recommend getting the magnetic stone guards. They are cheap, easy to apply yourself and protect a spot where I've had several cars get rock chips just due to the traction gravel they use on our roads here in the winter. My previous daily driver has a couple of dots of rust only in that section right in front of both rear wheels due to rock chips and it had mudflaps on it before I drove it off the lot. I wish they'd had stone guards for it.

You might also consider the 3m rock shield kit. It includes a clear bra for the bonnet and lower front end, covers the headlights, the edges of the doors and the space beneath your door handles.

 

pave the road

 

ROFL!

 

I have about a mile of gravel road to drive before I hit pavement. I have the mud flaps. But my best advice is to just plan yourself a couple of extra minutes each direction so you can take it easy.

 

VERY slow and EASY.. ..keep dust and gavel to a MINIMINUM

 

Move?

 

Used to live on a dirt road with our Cooper. The road made everything in the car rattle like crazy. Best advice is to go really really really slow...

Or just move - that's what I did...

 

One thing you should definitely not do is follow too closely behind another vehicle. It does not take much to crack these windshields.