In an effort to avoid airplanes full of swine flu, I took my 08 Mini Cooper S for this year's Thanksgiving trip. Got new tires in Oct and brake service just before the trip. Did 12 days of driving and 8 days of visiting. Added 7,056 miles. No Mini problems whatsoever. Hit one massive pothole at 70 mph and damaged one of the new tires. Mini of Orlando inspected the wheel for damage and offered to bring my service up to date (brake fluid flush) while it was on the lift. Discount Tire replaced the bubbled tire (glad I had the road hazard certificate).

Great weather until Mass where it rained for a week. Continued raining until south of DC. Drove through the great Houston blizzard of 2009 with no problems. After this trip, I know I should get the Mini on the road more often.

Here's a Google map of the trip.

 

Looks like quite a trip. I bet you were glad to get back here to San Diego.

 

thxs for sharing yr trip.