I live in San Jose California and I'm moving to Quantico Virginia. I'm planning to drive my Hermi on the 3000 mile trip. Will it be okay for a type S mini to drive 13 hour days? I know mini's are known for their hot engine, I was planning to open the hood every time I make a stop so it'll cool down faster. Does anyone have any other advice for my long journey? Any suggestions would help .


Mimi

 

No need to open the hood. Took mine from Boulder to Philly earlier this year without issue. Many hours on the road--it ran like a champ.

 

change the oil/filter before you leave

check the tire tread and tire pressures

check the washer fluid (bugs bugs bugs)

don't worry about temps, on the highway the engine will run cooler than it does in town due to the speed and constant load on the engine

depending on your route, if you climb any high passes, be sure not to lug the engine, downshift any let the engine wind out a little( 4k-5k rpms), same applies going downhill, don't ride the brakes, downshift and let the engine maintain the speed you want

motor on and have fun!

scott

1 million miles in cars/pickups and 500,000 miles on motorcycles

 

+1 bmwr606

Worry more about the other 'yo-yos' on the road, your kidneys (if you still have the RFTs and the Sport suspension) and have fun out there!!
E

 

I have done quite a few 1280 mile trips from Houston to Arizona and back in our 2010 S. This included 12 hours of 80+ mph on I-10 in west Texas where the ambient and road temps can be very high with no issues at all except for the road noise even with the non runflat tires. Just follow the advices listed above, but do plan your route & stops ahead. Enjoy the road trip. Keep on Motoring.

 

Took my 2010 MCS from Alabama to Utah with no issues whatsoever. I did get a little nervous driving through the mountains during winter, but the little cooper held up fine. Enjoy your drive!

 

If you are driving the interstate all the way, condolences. If you have the time and want some fun drop down (or up) to US 160 thru southern Colorado from Durango on East and then Branson, MO on East into KY, MINI heaven. Speed limit is 65 but I always set the cruise to indicate turns for 70 on the straight parts, no worries. Oorah!

 

Ooo-Rah mimi...go for it.

Like bmwr606 says, give your MINI fresh oil and a good check-over before the drive, then hit the road. I have driven a few 12-15 hour days and never had an issue. I went from Cincinnati to Quantico last weekend. Of course it was only 9 hours driving and I do make a lot of stops to...

ASAP after you get to Quantico, go visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps. We spent 6 hours there last Saturday. It is great.

Best to you and Semper Fi

Don
USMC '61-'65

 

We drove our brand new Justa from NH to Venice Florida and back to NH at the beginning of July. We had not heat issues.

 

We'll be waiting for you!

 

My son and I took a 6000 mile road trip last summer in my MCS. Wisconsin to NY, down the coast to FL, back over to TX and then back up and everywhere in between. Also took a 1000 mile road trip last month in the MCS averaged 95mph on the way back.

Not a single problem and 40mpg to boot.

 

It was a pleasant surprise how great of a trip car is the MINI. We took our '07 Justa to Florida and back (1000 mile straight drive each way) and to Texas a couple times (2800 mile trip) with our 2 dogs and luggage for a week's stay. It has really comfy seats and much useable cargo area. Just purred right along on the slab. We left our 328xi at home in the garage and didn't miss it.

We are looking forward to the same type of trips in our new MCS.

 

Jeez, you'd think these car were made of glass or something... lol

The car will be fine. Check the oil at each fillup. (can't be too careful with that)

Ignore everything between AZ and Memphis. (well maybe the Grand Canyon, or Vegas)

Stop at Graceland, just because...

Drive the Dragon.

Get to NOVA (Northern Virginia for those that don't live near here) and prepare to kill yourself, or somebody else. You'll see why.

 

We've had our 2010 R56 on three road trips; the first from the St. Louis area to Nashville, TN, the second to Asheville, NC, and the third to Winter Park, CO for Minis in the Mountains.

The car performed flawlessly each time, and I was especially impressed with the Colorado trip. We motored across Kansas at 75mph for hours, with the ambient temps near 100F, and the AC cranking away... the MINI just took it in stride. I had to add half a quart of oil when we reached Colorado, but that was the only service we performed the entire time.

My wife has surprised me on these trips; she's not a car person at all, but she quite enjoys tripping in the MINI.

Spridget

 

Unless you're planning to do a "Cannonball Run" from the left coast to the right coast, I don't know why anyone would worry about making a trip like that. The MINI, or for that matter any other relatively modern car that's been reasonably maintained can make that trip, and in most cases finishing in better shape than the driver or passengers. Hell, get yourself a co-pilot and drive it straight through - the MINI will pull into your destination and be ready to make the return trip without breaking a sweat.

 

You didn't get 40mpg while averaging 95mph.

 

Agreed. I was stationed there when it opened, great place.

I drove my mini 19 hours straight from NH to AL a few weeks ago, no problem whatsoever.

 

I just did MTTS and that was 7k miles. Just make sure to take extra oil and check it every 1k miles and you should be good.

 

Gearing up to drive 1500+ from Boston to New Orleans and this thread is quite reassuring. Made this same trip thrice already w/o a problem in the past year and it kinda freaks me out that there's no spare tire & that I haven't been pulled over yet (knock on wood). I'm right at 57,000 miles in an '06 Mini S Convertible, sport pkg. - any suggestions on general maintenance at this point?

 

Change fluids, rotate and balance tires. Oh yeah and put a good wash and wax on it.

 

Thanks Porthos, for the input!