8 replies to this topic

[Miniownertobe]

Hey
I’ve got a 1979 mini 1000, good condition, recently serviced and some minor work done on the sills. It’s a new car for me , my first mini and the best car I’ve had !

I’ve mainly be driving short trips but have done a few 15 milers on the dual carriageway. It got to 70 but it felt let’s say not too comfortable for either me or the car..

I want to take it on a longer trip to see family which will be 150 miles on the motorway. If I do 60 will it make it, I know these cars aren’t designed motorways but I want to keep the car running.

Any advice pls , I’m hoping you help me say yes!

Cheers

[Spider]

As long as it's in reasonable condition - yes, absolutely.

 

Here's a recent 'short trip' (for me at least) I did - one of many;-

 

http://www.theminifo...-munn-run-2018/

[Cooperman]

My first 850 was a 1961 which I got in 1963. I used to cruise it at around 60 mph and it would do this all day long. Then I bought a new 998 Cooper in 1964 and I cruised that at around 75 mph all the time. It had a 3.76:1 FDR, so it was revving at about 5000 rpm.

 

I have done some very long journeys in various Minis and they are not a problem so long as they are in good condition. A later 998 with a higher FDR should cruise all day long at 70 or just over..

[spiguy]

No problem at all for the car. As it's your first mini, you are just not yet quite used to it - they are so different to most  modern cars at motorway cruising speeds, as Cooperman alluded to they rev higher also they are noisier so it can feel a  bit like the car is 'unhappy'. In reality people used minis in days gone by as everyday cars for all sorts of journeys including long distance. We are now just so used to low cruising revs due to 5th or 6th gears and quiet cars with lots of sound insulation.

 

Once you are more used to the car it will not seem so alien. So long as the car is in good working order and your wheels are balanced there should be nothing particularly troublesome about your intended journey. Just accept that it will be a bit noisy and a bit more tiring than a 'modern' car.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Taking a Mini 1000 up to a 5000 rev/min crusing speed seems harsh at first but they seem to get used to it as the miles roll on so when you slow for a roundabout they are almost eager to get back to high revs again!  Best if the engine's in good condition though of course although I've had plenty of less good 998's which just went on and on as long as oil was added when needed.  There's a certain satisfaction in overtaking modern vehicles like this but don't follow too close - especially with drum brakes!

[Boycie]

It's easy to forget that Minis were family cars for many people, for many years.  My parents used them all through the 60s and early 70s.  When I came along, they upgraded to a Hilman Avenger.  Pah!!!

 

I think the increased engine noise at speed is what puts most people off when it comes to 'stretching a Minis legs'.  They are very noisy at speed, leading you to think the engine is going to go pop.  The reality is, it's not revving an awful lot more than a modern-ish engine, it just sounds like it.

The manufacturer changed the final drive in the gearbox quite often as the Mini rumbled on in its production run.  Later cars had high FDs to get the noise down and make it acceptable to new car buyers.

Your car, if original will have a 3.44:1 final drive, which is a good all-rounder for a road car.

 

My every day car is only a few years newer than yours, but it has a 2.95:1 fd.  This gives a quieter cruising speed, at the cost of worse acceleration of course.  I don't find it slow off the mark however.  It will cruise at an indicated 75/80mph, with bearable noise (I can still hear the radio) and the car feels perfectly stable.  A 3.44 car on 10" wheels will be perfectly happy at 65/70mph, all day long.

 

Before you leave, please make sure the oil and coolant levels are correct and that the tyre pressures are right, too.  A well-maintained Mini will have no problem with long runs and it might just do it some good!

[Cooperman]

I was out in my daily road car last week and thought of how high my Cooper 'S' Mk.1 would be revving at the speed I was doing. It would have been running at around 5300 rpm, whereas my BMW 730D was showing 1900 rpm in top, which is an indicated 80 mph, so probably about 77 mph in reality.

 

Classic cars are very different and give a real 'retro' driving experience which is why they are so great to own. It is like driving in a 'time warp' really. As a classic car for longer distance trips the classic Mini is, perhaps, not ideal. There are more suitable classic cars for long distance touring such as the MGB-GT, Sunbeam Rapier, Rover 2000 P6, Triumph 2000/2500, etc.

 

However, owners should not be unwilling to rev their Minis. That is what happened when they were used daily by lots of people. 

[Boycie]

A BMW 7-series compared to a classic Mini is a bit extreme! My BMW Mini Cooper is at 3100 rpm at 70, the City E is around 3500 rpm. Both a bit 'busy' but considering there's 30yrs development between the two, it's not too bad!

[Miniownertobe]

Thanks for all the replies. I had a guy who does lots of work on minis give it a full service and he says it’s a great engine and only 25k miles so with your advice I’m good to go!

Cheers all