19 replies to this topic

[William Greenough]

Hi I’ve booked a bit of a road trip for me and my mate to France this summer in my 1992 Mayfair, just wondering if anyone has any advise on how I can prepare/ checks I can do before I go, advise on how to drive it when it’s going so far and on the wrong side of the road, or just anything I can do to make my trip more enjoyable in my old mini! Just curious and excited as this is my first time taking the car such a long way, and we’ll be camping as we go so wondering how to fit everything in! Cheers

[sca]

give it a good service any minor faults you might have sort them out . Make sure you carry a spare set of bulbs warning triangle and anything else you need for driving in Europe. Have faith in your car me and 3 mates in 1981 travelled from Doncaster to Newquay 300 plus miles roof rack and everything crambed in were we could get in.No problems at all . These days people always think they have got an old car they gonna break down all the time.Keep your car running from now till you go see how its performing then decide whether it will make it or not .Take some spares points spark plugs water tools and have a good time.Personally what ever and were ever I went in a mini I would do it all again tomorrow no worries.

[Bobbins]

Off your intended track slightly, but take out European recovery with the RAC ... no I'm not suggesting your car is unreliable!

 

I had to have a car recovered from a trip to the Le Mans Classic event last summer and was glad I'd used the RAC, I was told when it was recovered by a French-based UK company who work for all the various recovery providers that the with the RAC it's recovered initially to a local compound, then it'll be put on a transporter and brought all the way home to my door in one run, whereas all the other providers use a relay system which increases the probability of damage. It took 4 weeks to get it back but when it arrived it was in an enclosed transporter and the driver had personally collected it from Le Mans. I'm heading to Spa in a couple of weeks, the RAC aren't the cheapest but I'll be using them again.

[cooperd70]

Will,

Two years ago a friend and I drove from the UK, through Northern France into Switzerland over the Alps, down to the Italian lakes and then along the Italian cost from Genoa back into France as far as Marseille and then diagonally up through France back to Calais in my 1990 998. We were well prepaired, but had not one issue. It was a really amazing trip and a huge amount of fun. People smiled and waved and on the limited sections of m'way we drove on and stopped at services, lots of people came by to say hello and ask about the car/reminisce about the mini they used to own many years ago etc.

I think when the car is used daily it's way more reliable than if you use it just for sunny days. Hopefully you will be plesently surprised.

As others have mentioned a service and then keeping as basic as you can set of tools and spares (just in case) as well as some form of breakdown cover (to be dblely sure)!

I carried a spare set plugs, plug leads, fan belt, fuses and bulbs along with oil and water. A few hand tools for the above if they needed replacing, plus a jack and wheel wrench (not forgetting the security nut)!

You will need to carry some things imposed on you by the country your driving in. As we were driving through France, Switzerland and Italy I just ensured I was carrying everything for all of them. Not an exhaustive list but included:

First aid kit, breathalyser kit, warning triangle and hi-vis vests for both of us. You can find all of this on the RAC/AA websites.

I found no issues with driving on the other side of the road in the mini (though I do drive alot on the continent, but normally in a hir car). The car is so small you have plenty of road width to check if it's safe to overtake. Just enjoy the scenery.

We didn't camp (too old for that), but have camped whilst cycling the Alps a few years back on several occassions. My advise is to take the bear minimum with you. Took the kitchen sink the first time in 4 panniers, bar bag and rack pack...just bogged me down. Second trip dropped two of the panniers and the amount stored in the others. I would think this would be true in a mini...you'll get fed up with dragging it all out from the rear seats and then packing it all away again, or trying to find the thing that's packed away right at the bottom under the rear seat.

As SC advised use your mini daily for a week or two as to check it's current reliability and that'll give you a good indication as to any issues that may arise on the trip. If the car gets hot whilst abroad (it may do depending on the temp when you travel) to keep it down as much as poss set the heater knob to on to circulate the water through the heater matrix...every little helps, but means you'll get hot in the cab.

Most of all enjoy it. Whatever happens will make it an adventure.

[Spider]

Sounds an ACE adventure

 

As far as the total mileage goes, think about how many miles you cover in a year and how few issues you've had over those miles. Take some sensible spares and before you head off, look up where close to your intended route, you might find suitable parts suppliers and / or Mini friendly workshops. As well as doing a few weeks of daily drives before heading off, do a day of non stop-ish motoring at the speeds you think you'll be cruising at while a way if you can, it can show up things (like running hot) that just driving around town won't show up.

 

I have been away camping in various Minis a few times, and I gotta say, while you can get all your gear in, if it's much more than about 4 - 5 days, then a roof rack (or a Mini Van !) is money well spent, but also get a zip up vinyl storage bag to fit in the rack and put your tent, chairs and other bulky items in to. The bag will keep it cleaner, dryer (in case it rains) and be a bit of a deterrent from theft (out of sight, out of mind works surprisingly well, and that extra step and the needed to un-zip a bag puts the casual thief right off).

 

Take loads of music and even some audio books,,and of course a Camera !!

[mab01uk]

You might also find this old thread below has some useful tips.

Planning A Road Trip:-

http://www.theminifo...ng-a-road-trip/

Edited by mab01uk, 01 May 2019 - 08:04 PM.

[mk1leg]

Hi..when are you in France and what part of France are you visiting as there are several clubs over there I visit france every year in My mini and have meet up with French clubs in Normandy, Nantes, Paris, Take a small tool kit + a set of spark plugs, fan belt, points, cable ties, duct tape, if you want I can give you a name of a man in Normandy if you get a serious breakdown I've Known him foe 7years 

[johnR]

You will have a great time - I drove my then newly rebuilt 998 City E down to Monaco over the Alps four years ago. As has been said you will get a lot of attention in a Mini. I took plenty of spares and tools but didn't need any of it thanks goodness! I can recommend fitting a powerpoint in the back and taking a cooler for food and beer. 

This is my car in the Grand St Bernard's pass.

[nicklouse]

join this group on face book https://www.facebook...14411411919791/

and if you have issues there will be someone who may be able to help. as long as it is not IMM time.

[MatthewsDad]

Hi lots of good advice above. I've enjoyed some great trips to France in my Mini and other classics. Going to the Laon Historique rally in June. One additional item I'd suggest you take is an axle stand. So much easier and safer if you need to work in wheel arches or below the car at the roadside.

[elf66]

Check your hoses or take some spares as you will probably running higher than average temperatures for longer periods.

[William Greenough]

Cheers for the advise! Quick update on the preparations, got an old roof rack which looks the part on the car, tested it out going to the tip a couple of times, space won’t be an issue! Planning on booking it in for a service beforehand. Bulbs, hoses, fuses, oil, coolant and a good set of tools are building up too to come with me.

Keep this good advise coming, thanks!

[TheFabMini]

If the car is mechanically alright at the moment I’d say just take some ignition parts, leads plugs coil etc

Pump some fresh grease in all the grease points before you go

Not as grand a tour but I’m preparing myself for the 225+ miles to IMM in August so have been reading endless old threads on peoples advice on all this and it seems the general thoughts over the years are just take it steady and keep an eye on oil pressure and temperatures

Have fun!

[Ethel]

All the above,

 

Your Mini will have a harder time as a local runabout, all those cold starts and gear changes. The only thing that will defo be put through its paces is your cooling system so address any issues and go for at least one decent run to test it before you go.

[Matt Brighton]

Reims Mini Club are holding a BBQ meet at the towns  disused former F1 circuit in late june 

 

Google Austin Mini Reims 

 

Best

 

matt