57 replies to this topic

[Black.Ghost]

Yeah I keep looking at the 7 series as well, some of the older ones. I want the Mini for country lane lunacy and something luxurious for the motorway trips. I don't do a huge mileage on motorways so not too concerned about the poorer fuel economy - it would be more getting around town that's a concern. The only major problem with getting a 7 series of the XJ is that I often give the fiancee a lift to work and we need to get a bike in the back! The XJ boots are massive though so might fit. If not, would need to keep the Focus and the Jag which would be less than ideal! 

 

The other option is something like a X Type estate. A nice compromise between both. 

[Cooperman]

I have owned loads of cars over the last 55-years, but the finest car I ever owned was a 1987 BMW 730 SE Auto. I got it as a special deal at a half of a normal dealer price from a friend who ran a leasing company and it was 3-years old. By then the Gov't had put tax on company cars, so I bought my own cars and ran them through the company. When I sold it the mileage was 247,000 and it had done just over 50,000 when I got it. I enjoyed every mile I did in it. Fuel consumption was good at an average of 27 mpg and it was just so comfortable and quick.

I currently have a 730D SE which is great, but it's not as good as that 1987 BMW. However, in my 730D at 2000 rpm cruising I'm doing 86 mph in 6th at 35 mpg, which is what my old 1964 998 Cooper used to do in the '60's.

I love driving Minis, but I would never consider one as a daily car when I look at the capabilities of modern cars, especially on longer journeys.

[TMW.Racing]

Hi just wanted to know if anyone uses their mini as a daily commuter with potential long motorway drives?
Been told by the bloke selling the mini I'm interested in that they're not happy on the motorway and that the engine will take a good beating keeping up with motorqay speeds!
Basically would love a mini but after this little input it's stuck in my mind as I'll be driving a fair bit of motorway and dual carriage roads.

Thanks

 

What a load of old cobblers!! Makes me wonder if that dealer is covering up for a known problem!

 

I use mine for a 60 mile round trip each day, 45 of which is on the motorway. Yes its not a modern car, so its noisier, livelier nowhere near as refined ad a modern car, but thats part of the charm of it - its part of what makes you feel bored when you sit back in a modern car, when you are in the mini you are ALWAYS driving it (rather than the modern car driving you), and it is always fun doing it!

 

In my humble opinion! 

[Cooperman]

I guess we see \minis in many different ways.

To me it is a 1960's icon and arguably the ultimate classic car. I don't want one to drive every day, in fact I would hate that, but as a retro driving experience there is nothing like it.

If classic cars are your thing, and if you own a Mini then they must be, there are better classics for everyday driving. I could not live with a Mini as everyday transport. I could live with a 1970's Rover 3500 P6, a Triumph 2000/2500, a Mk.1 Granada or a Mk.2 Cortina 1600E. An MGB, Porsche 911 or TR4 would be too small in the boot, although otherwise very good.

I wouldn't have wanted to drive a car designed in 1905 in the 1960's and I wouldn't want to drive a car designed in 1958 as a daily car now.

Minis are just superb classic retro cars which provide a 'window' to what driving was like in the 1960's.

[cooperdan]

So to sum it up

Yes a mini will "survive" a motorway

[DarrenHawes]

Thanks for all replies and support! Only replied now as for some reason the site **** down on me for a few days?
Anyways I've found out the mini I'm after has a few problems..

Front o/s grumbly wheel bearing
fuel gauge under reads
speedo not working
body work not in perfect condition but presentable

I could deal with the body work but wouldn't know the cost of getting the fuel gauge sorted, would anyone know?

[DarrenHawes]

And for a newbie with very little knowledge about motors its a bit of a downer knowing the car I want has problems I don't have a clue how to solve 😭😂

[JewSkii]

I drove from Qld To Vic So around 1800 kilometers / 1 118.46815 miles in 2 1/2 days and most of the time i was going 90kph-95kph / 60mph-65mph. on a standard 998cc engine with no issues what so ever not even with the heat. So i would call Bulls**t on that

[Ben_O]

Small jobs like fuel sender and wheel bearings won't be too much hassle to sort out, even if you took it to a garage to be done.

 

If you do go down the garage route, choose one that specialises in Mini's or at least knows them well. There are too many horror stories of general garages mucking up Mini's.

[happyhayleysinging]

I bought my mini from London, live in Blackpool and drove it all the way up the motorway, never missed a beat.  Drive it everyday.  Very reliable

[nigel5764]

No problem ,driven mine all over the place love it to bits ,as was said previously as long as well maintained you,ll have no probs !!

[Cooperman]

If taking my 'S' any distance I put it on the trailer, as I can cruise with the trailer at 65 to 70 whereas with the 3.9:1 FDR on the 'S' I'm pulling just over 4000 rpm at 60 and with the SC drop gears I have to wear ear plugs.

Back in the '60's & '70'S, which is the real 'Mini-era' the Mini was used for holidays and work travel over long distances. But then, very regular maintenance was the norm with the Mini having a specified oil-change period of 1500 miles. I always had to change the oil every 4 weeks and the filter every 8 weeks on my 998 Cooper and later on my wife's 1275 'S' road car. The rear brakes needed taking up every month as well and brake pads didn't last long. The old 145 section Pirelli Cinturato tyres or Dunlop SP3 or SP41 on the 10" wheels didn't last long either. But the Mini was a fantastic road car compared with a lot of other cars, although things like the Cortina GT, at the same sort of price as a new Cooper 'S', was a better overall road car in terms of comfort and reliability. For we young drivers it was also less likely to be stopped by the Old Bill  .

[minicrystal13]

I no a lady who is In her 60s now and she has 1991 mini neon completely standard and has owned it from brand new. anyway she use drive up  from broadstairs in Kent to central London everyday in her mini as she use to work in london  she done this for 10 years, and now in 2015 she still driving around town in the same  mini.