20 replies to this topic

[jacswy]

Hi im planningto drive a mini as a trip from ape Town to Lusaka, Zambia this is a tripover 2000km's would it last and how would it go ?
Any specific modifications ?
Im 17 almost 18 yrs old
Please could any one help me out and give me some valueble information on this topic.

Thanks

[zelliott]

This is like asking how long a piece of string is.

Depends on the condition, age of the car, how you drive it, how you maintain it. my cars got over 103000 miles on the clock now and runs like a dream, you should be alright

[Ethel]

Since you say a Mini, I'll guess it isn't yours (yet). Try not to commit to a long run before you know the car's condition, run it up to temperature and drive it hard enough to test the cooling system is up to scratch before setting off into the wilds.

[JustSteve]

Well my mini's currently at 76'000 miles, considerably more than 2000km ...


Yes it can, but like anything, it needs to be maintained and treated with respect.

[Brookesy]

Charlie one of le admins on here drove a mini in the Mongol Rally and made it back with only a few problems along the way. The thread is around somewhere so it is possible with the right car.

[jacswy]

oh okay thanks for the replies, as well do any of you know if what the fuel economy is ? as this would give me an estimate on how much fule will cost ect
As well what would you recommend, would a roof rack work? put spot lights on it and maybe a suspension modification?

Thanks

[mini-luke]

Depends, what cc is it?

[Ethel]

It may depend more on the road conditions and what speed you can do, considering that journey. You should get at least 40mpg if you try on a half decent road surface.

[jacswy]

Roads will all be pretty much Tar, What is a decent speed for a mini ? 100km/h ?

[Ethel]

100 would be fine. They will do more but it'd hurt the economy.

[danie garry]

i drove my 1000 from home in ireland to norfolk and back and driving round for a week in england, done 1600 miles in that week with no problems...didnt stop me have some emergency mini bits in the car though!!!

[jacswy]

i drove my 1000 from home in ireland to norfolk and back and driving round for a week in england, done 1600 miles in that week with no problems...didnt stop me have some emergency mini bits in the car though!!!

What advice in terms of what spares/spanners I should take on this trip ? if you have a list or something, this would be great

Thanks

[firstforward]

The biggest problem I experienced driving in and around Lusaka, Kitwe, Kabwe etc and down to SA in a mini was the oversized pot holes, on some the car roof line went below the surrounding asphalt....that bad, even worse if they were full of water so that depends on the time of year. It was always a worry that the gearbox would be wacked so watch out for that, especially if you have to drive on a dirt road. Speaking of which if you are not already aware, dirt roads "corrugate" with ridges so you have to "find" the correct speed so the tyres skip across the tops of the corrugation ridge otherwise the car will literally be shaken to pieces. Sometimes that speed needs to be fairly high so you have no choice but to belt it. In a few months time I am going to Italy in mine so the distance is no problem, my only advice is get it checked out well before hand, you don't really want to break down anywhere especially over there at night time, those large trailer lorries often drive with little respect for anybody. To clear the massive amount of bugs off of the windscreen I used petrol on a rag, it seemed to dissolve the oils in the bugs pretty well. I always take a spare petrol pump, water pump and fan belt but that is only me, I cannot emphasize enough getting it checked over.

[jacswy]

The biggest problem I experienced driving in and around Lusaka, Kitwe, Kabwe etc and down to SA in a mini was the oversized pot holes, on some the car roof line went below the surrounding asphalt....that bad, even worse if they were full of water so that depends on the time of year. It was always a worry that the gearbox would be wacked so watch out for that, especially if you have to drive on a dirt road. Speaking of which if you are not already aware, dirt roads "corrugate" with ridges so you have to "find" the correct speed so the tyres skip across the tops of the corrugation ridge otherwise the car will literally be shaken to pieces. Sometimes that speed needs to be fairly high so you have no choice but to belt it. In a few months time I am going to Italy in mine so the distance is no problem, my only advice is get it checked out well before hand, you don't really want to break down anywhere especially over there at night time, those large trailer lorries often drive with little respect for anybody. To clear the massive amount of bugs off of the windscreen I used petrol on a rag, it seemed to dissolve the oils in the bugs pretty well. I always take a spare petrol pump, water pump and fan belt but that is only me, I cannot emphasize enough getting it checked over.

This is very helpful information, thanks for your time what modifications did you add before departure ? did you have a roof rack ect what was your average speed ? and your fuel economy?

Thanks

[miniman_7]

The biggest problem I experienced driving in and around Lusaka, Kitwe, Kabwe etc and down to SA in a mini was the oversized pot holes, on some the car roof line went below the surrounding asphalt....that bad, even worse if they were full of water so that depends on the time of year. It was always a worry that the gearbox would be wacked so watch out for that, especially if you have to drive on a dirt road. Speaking of which if you are not already aware, dirt roads "corrugate" with ridges so you have to "find" the correct speed so the tyres skip across the tops of the corrugation ridge otherwise the car will literally be shaken to pieces. Sometimes that speed needs to be fairly high so you have no choice but to belt it. In a few months time I am going to Italy in mine so the distance is no problem, my only advice is get it checked out well before hand, you don't really want to break down anywhere especially over there at night time, those large trailer lorries often drive with little respect for anybody. To clear the massive amount of bugs off of the windscreen I used petrol on a rag, it seemed to dissolve the oils in the bugs pretty well. I always take a spare petrol pump, water pump and fan belt but that is only me, I cannot emphasize enough getting it checked over.

God bless African Roads.

I used to drive round Harare, Zimbabwe in a 60's Morris estate with collapsed suspension.
The roads there were pants and you felt every imperfection...... Ouch!