11 replies to this topic

[joecefnhedog]

Hi all I just bought myself a mini :) 

It's a 1992 mini cooper spi 1.3i no modifications.

 

 

I am planning on a roadtrip all around europe probably end of may early june this year, with two friends in their own cars. I want it to be as reliable as possible.

Firstly i am going to fit a single point injection filter kit from mini spares:-

 

http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

 

And KYBS self adjust gas dampers:-

 

http://www.minispare...ct.aspx|Back to

 

along with new tie rods and bushes:-

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

Considering the long motorway trips i was thinking about equipping an oil cooler with thermostat.

 

http://www.minispare...sic/MOCOT1.aspx

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

I will also change all the radiator hoses the oil, filter, plugs, plug leads, dizzy cap rotor arm and coil. What advice would you have if any of you have done it  before? I have been looking at threads where people have changed their final gear ratio to cope with motorway driving better, is this hard/costly to do? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Joe.  

 

 

[Shep76S]

Get the current Miniworld magazine, a couple from Scotland have done a 2500 mile euro trip.

[Shep76S]

Compression check as well I would think.
New engine mounts and stabiliser bushes or at least take them with you.
Check ball joints and again a set of spares could be handy.

[Carlos W]

European breakdown cover

[Shep76S]

And check the recovery conditions, may not bring you all the way home.

[gizmo1994]

Avoid motorways if at all possible. It's a Mini, why spend all day on a motorway when Europe has some of the best driving roads in the world.

I do regular European trips in my 94 spi and we can travel the length and breadth of the continent without using motorways, not even main roads. Use the roads that the Mini was built for.

I always travel with a boot full of tools and spares but rarely need them. Then take out the back seat and fill the space with your stuff. Take everything into your hotel overnight as touring Minis are easy targets in any city.

Enjoy it. They are the best holidays we have ever had. We're planning our next trip to the French Riviera for April. Back roads all the way.

[CharlieChap]

Hi joecefngog,

 

I have been traveling around Europe with my 1999 MPi, I did a massive 18 hour trip none stope to the south of France and "poppy" performed perfectly!!! Now that I'm here and driving around, the things I have found rather useful is a Jerry can of fuel, Halfords tool kit (inc jump leads).

Everything the chaps have mentioned above is a good idea but make sure you giver her a good service to. 

 

I was thinking about the oil cooler myself but i decided against it. Even in the hight of summer she still doesn't over heat so I think you will be fine. As I said i did 18 hours of pretty much solid motorway driving and apart from having to stop for fuel a lot everything was fine.

[joecefnhedog]

Just going to give her a good service, i have plenty of time to get it sorted hopefully :) Planning on travelling about 4000-5000 mile, down to bottom of france then across to italy back through switzerland and germany. :)

[joecefnhedog]

I noticed yesterday that my mini has two fans, one was not running at the time, does this kick in at a certain temp?

[FlyingScot]

Hi mate, the electric one yellow blades ( the one in the radiator) is operated by the switch unit which is pushed into the bottom of the radiator.AFAIK it comes on at 92 degrees and goes off at 88 degrees.
You can test the fan buy shorting out the connections at the bottom of the radiator.

FS

[Redjohnno]

Get the current Miniworld magazine, a couple from Scotland have done a 2500 mile euro trip.

 

Hi Joe,

 

That was myself, didn't change anything before we left. Usual service, changed brake pads and basically double checked hoses, coolant levels etc. Luckily nothing happened when we were travelling, apart from alternator playing up a bit. Going to do it all again in a couple of years, but will replace alot of parts. Already started on the shopping list!

[Redjohnno]

Avoid motorways if at all possible. It's a Mini, why spend all day on a motorway when Europe has some of the best driving roads in the world.

I do regular European trips in my 94 spi and we can travel the length and breadth of the continent without using motorways, not even main roads. Use the roads that the Mini was built for.

I always travel with a boot full of tools and spares but rarely need them. Then take out the back seat and fill the space with your stuff. Take everything into your hotel overnight as touring Minis are easy targets in any city.

Enjoy it. They are the best holidays we have ever had. We're planning our next trip to the French Riviera for April. Back roads all the way.

 

This is spot on Gizmo, and pretty much what we did back in 2009 in our old Cooper.

 

Take lower back of seat out, and pile everything in! Still amazed at how much stuff you can put in a Mini.

We also avoided the Motorways, but because it was our first trip, it was purely to save money. But really glad we did, as we drove the most amazing roads, with scenery to match. From Turin, we headed south towards Sospel in France, then onto Monaco. Still staying off the main route, we followed the coastal road to Beaulieu-sur-Mer (Beautiful place!), then upto Nice and onto the N202. This was a fantastic road, and we camped at St Julien du Verdon (SE of Digne-les-Bains). The road then met up just North of Route Napoleon, which I would recommend you do if you had the time.

 

All the way North, we stayed off the beaten track which was absolutely brilliant! If you tent it, you will find lovely quaint campsites, with friendly people, who make you feel so welcome. But be prepared, as you probably have already, to be asked loads of questions about your Mini, and the adventure!!