Which of these to take on a European trip?
Discussion
A very nice dilemma to have, but I'd appreciate PH's help on this.
Spring time next year I'm going on a European trip which will involve driving down to Antibes, then back via Route Napoleon, across to Stuttgart, the A5 Darmstadt to Frankfurt Autobahn, a couple of days at the Nurburgring, and then back home.
I was going to take my 2002 Cooper S, I really like the car and have done over 10k trouble free miles in it. I know I could jump into it at any time, and it will soak up everything I throw at it. It’s a bit noisy at speed, but it is great fun on the twisties and on the Nurburgring.
However, my father has very kindly offered me to take his XJR-S on the trip. I’ve said yes, but the ‘glass-half-empty’ in me is beginning to wonder if I haven’t gone completely nuts!
I have driven the car a fair amount since he’s had it, and I’ve been completely taken in by the wonderful 6.0 V12 engine, the magic carpet ride, the sense of driving something very special, and so on. However, the first two trips I took the car on it spat me on the side of the road, and it’s also let the folks down a couple of times. Since then however, it’s had thousands spent on it which appears to have sorted the problem, but there’s still this niggling doubt in my mind. It’s done about 1000 miles since the issues were sorted, it’s done about 62k miles in total.
I’m not fussed about the difference in fuel economy.
So in summary, the Cooper S belongs to me which means I won’t be quite so protective over it. I also know it will complete the trip without fault, whilst being great fun along the way.
The XJR-S will be the ultimate GT car for the trip, but I can’t quite get the niggling doubt out of my mind about its reliability.
For those who are interested, pics of both cars;
Spring time next year I'm going on a European trip which will involve driving down to Antibes, then back via Route Napoleon, across to Stuttgart, the A5 Darmstadt to Frankfurt Autobahn, a couple of days at the Nurburgring, and then back home.
I was going to take my 2002 Cooper S, I really like the car and have done over 10k trouble free miles in it. I know I could jump into it at any time, and it will soak up everything I throw at it. It’s a bit noisy at speed, but it is great fun on the twisties and on the Nurburgring.
However, my father has very kindly offered me to take his XJR-S on the trip. I’ve said yes, but the ‘glass-half-empty’ in me is beginning to wonder if I haven’t gone completely nuts!
I have driven the car a fair amount since he’s had it, and I’ve been completely taken in by the wonderful 6.0 V12 engine, the magic carpet ride, the sense of driving something very special, and so on. However, the first two trips I took the car on it spat me on the side of the road, and it’s also let the folks down a couple of times. Since then however, it’s had thousands spent on it which appears to have sorted the problem, but there’s still this niggling doubt in my mind. It’s done about 1000 miles since the issues were sorted, it’s done about 62k miles in total.
I’m not fussed about the difference in fuel economy.
So in summary, the Cooper S belongs to me which means I won’t be quite so protective over it. I also know it will complete the trip without fault, whilst being great fun along the way.
The XJR-S will be the ultimate GT car for the trip, but I can’t quite get the niggling doubt out of my mind about its reliability.
For those who are interested, pics of both cars;
take the Jag and waft in style.undecided>
Mini for the twisties and 'ok' on motorway.
Jag obvious V12 waftiness but you might miss something on the R Napoleon and elsewhere.
i know some will burn me for this.... but does mpg matter to you? it could an extra £150 or more for the Jag.
I gained renewed respect for the XJS when i drove one for the w/end down to Goodwood. Those 400 miles over 3 days had me smiling in appreciation for this often overlooked car. But for a 2k trip the fuel stops might be a little wearing.
Can't your dad follow behind in the other car? He can have the mini on Mway and Jag in the hills.
Mini for the twisties and 'ok' on motorway.
Jag obvious V12 waftiness but you might miss something on the R Napoleon and elsewhere.
i know some will burn me for this.... but does mpg matter to you? it could an extra £150 or more for the Jag.
I gained renewed respect for the XJS when i drove one for the w/end down to Goodwood. Those 400 miles over 3 days had me smiling in appreciation for this often overlooked car. But for a 2k trip the fuel stops might be a little wearing.
Can't your dad follow behind in the other car? He can have the mini on Mway and Jag in the hills.
If it is a genteel road trip then waft down in the Jag. If you're there just for the drive and will be getting stuck in through the twisties - which it sounds like you will - take the mini.
Are others going and if so what are they taking? If it's a selection of drivers cars then that would also help make up my mind.
I love an XJS and that looks mint but I'd not want to throw it around the 'ring.
Are others going and if so what are they taking? If it's a selection of drivers cars then that would also help make up my mind.
I love an XJS and that looks mint but I'd not want to throw it around the 'ring.
Jag, but with top notch breakdown cover that will get you and the car back to the UK if the worst happens.
MINI is great on the twisty bits but having done a 3 hour motorway journey in one, they do get quite tiresome.
Edit: I missed the mention of spending a few days at the Nurburgring. If you do take the Jag round I think you'll have to be quite gentle with it. Not a car made for the track and I imagine you could cook the brakes after just a couple of corners.
MINI is great on the twisty bits but having done a 3 hour motorway journey in one, they do get quite tiresome.
Edit: I missed the mention of spending a few days at the Nurburgring. If you do take the Jag round I think you'll have to be quite gentle with it. Not a car made for the track and I imagine you could cook the brakes after just a couple of corners.
Edited by IanCress on Monday 17th October 14:17
Mini. I did a very similar trip to that in my old M3 and very few of the miles felt like a slog. A bargy V12 that you don't own (no matter how special) isn't going to be anything like as good on the N85, or the Ring, which are two of the primary reasons for doing the trip. Add in the possibility of it stranding you I'd be leaving it at home, and borrowing it to take to country pubs on sunny days instead.
That said, it'll be fun in either car, so you can't really lose. The V12 echoing off the rock on the N85, driving through the tunnel in Monaco etc would be pretty sweet.
ETA - Also factor in whether the potential unreliability will diminish your enjoyment of the trip. If it will, don't take the Jag.
That said, it'll be fun in either car, so you can't really lose. The V12 echoing off the rock on the N85, driving through the tunnel in Monaco etc would be pretty sweet.
ETA - Also factor in whether the potential unreliability will diminish your enjoyment of the trip. If it will, don't take the Jag.
Thank you all for your support, I know I want to take the Jaguar but it's nice to see I'm not the only one! The only thing that does concern me is it's history of unreliability in my OP...
Thank you for all your contributions!
CABC said:
i know some will burn me for this.... but does mpg matter to you? it could an extra £150 or more for the Jag
At motorway speeds, I think the Jaguar would cost me £200 more over the trip. The bonus is the extra range you get in the XJS, the MINI has a very small tank and it goes through it at quite a rate when sitting at 90+.CABC said:
Can't your dad follow behind in the other car? He can have the mini on Mway and Jag in the hills.
He will be driving down about a week before in his Mustang which is due for delivery sometime next month, so not an option sadly. Hitch said:
If it is a genteel road trip then waft down in the Jag. If you're there just for the drive and will be getting stuck in through the twisties - which it sounds like you will - take the mini.
Are others going and if so what are they taking? If it's a selection of drivers cars then that would also help make up my mind.
I love an XJS and that looks mint but I'd not want to throw it around the 'ring.
I probably didn't explain it too well in my OP, but I wouldn't want to take the Jaguar round the Nurburgring. It isn't mine and I'm not insured! The Cooper S is at least mine, and I'm taking it on there at my own risk. One lap might be cool to get some pictures, but that would be the lot. Are others going and if so what are they taking? If it's a selection of drivers cars then that would also help make up my mind.
I love an XJS and that looks mint but I'd not want to throw it around the 'ring.
IanCress said:
Jag, but with top notch breakdown cover that will get you and the car back to the UK if the worst happens.
MINI is great on the twisty bits but having done a 3 hour motorway journey in one, they do get quite tiresome.
I've done loads of M'way miles in the MINI, mine is quite loud with the Milltek so yes they definitely aren't great on longer trips. Other than that, they're a lot better than they're made out to be in my opinion. MINI is great on the twisty bits but having done a 3 hour motorway journey in one, they do get quite tiresome.
unpc said:
Are you insane? That trip would be unforgettable in the Jag.
I agree, though I keep thinking it will be unforgettable for all the wrong reasons, hence the thread! _Neal_ said:
Also factor in whether the potential unreliability will diminish your enjoyment of the trip. If it will, don't take the Jag.
The exact reason I'm questioning myself here. The plot thickens!Thank you for all your contributions!
If reliability wasn't an issue, which car would you take?
Maybe you need to build up some confidence in the Jag, take it on a long run. Perhaps let it idle for 15 minutes to check it won't overheat in traffic whilst you get stuck in traffic in Belgium. You always get stuck in traffic in Belgium.
Maybe you need to build up some confidence in the Jag, take it on a long run. Perhaps let it idle for 15 minutes to check it won't overheat in traffic whilst you get stuck in traffic in Belgium. You always get stuck in traffic in Belgium.
Mini, sod being broken down in the middle of Europe in a car that it is difficult to work on and get parts for
They weren't the best when new, I doubt 20 years of ageing has helped
If it was an older merc or something simple it would be different
I dont even like them, ugly buggers as well
If it was an e-type it would be different...
They weren't the best when new, I doubt 20 years of ageing has helped
If it was an older merc or something simple it would be different
I dont even like them, ugly buggers as well
If it was an e-type it would be different...
IanCress said:
If reliability wasn't an issue, which car would you take?
Maybe you need to build up some confidence in the Jag, take it on a long run. Perhaps let it idle for 15 minutes to check it won't overheat in traffic whilst you get stuck in traffic in Belgium. You always get stuck in traffic in Belgium.
Sound advice. If it checks out on a long trip then take it. Maybe you need to build up some confidence in the Jag, take it on a long run. Perhaps let it idle for 15 minutes to check it won't overheat in traffic whilst you get stuck in traffic in Belgium. You always get stuck in traffic in Belgium.
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