Which of these to take on a European trip?

[simonrockman]

I did it in a couple of more diverse cars: A Wraith and an Atom: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/10/atom_merci...

The Atom was more fun so maybe the mini is the one to choose.

Simon

[Leins]

Take the Jag! (says the MINI owner)

I'm a bit of a believer in these sorts of long trips actually being quite good for a big-engined older car. Let's them stretch their legs

[0llie]

TwistingMyMelon said:

If it was an e-type it would be different...

Funny, I drove an E-Type for the first time last week, a 4.2 Series 1 roadster. It was an absolutely gorgeous car. The engine note is to die for, and it's a wonderful car to drive, but I can't imagine the motorway stretches being much fun. My dad did it back in the day in his E-Type, but says he wouldn't do it again

IanCress said:

If reliability wasn't an issue, which car would you take?

Jaguar, no question. Maybe I need to get out and use it more to build my confidence with it.

Cold said:

Don't both cars have a similarly dire record for reliability? In today's PH Carpool there's an article on the Mini which details a list of broken or worn bits on the owner's Cooper.

Depends which MINI you get, I've had 4 and 3 of them have been almost faultless. Mine still needs some work doing to it, but I'd wager it's still less than most other 14 year old cars would require.

simonrockman said:

I did it in a couple of more diverse cars: A Wraith and an Atom: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/10/atom_merci...

The Atom was more fun so maybe the mini is the one to choose

Brilliant article, thanks for sharing! Even more confused now!

Ollie

[Searider]

unpc said:

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.

This

[Itsallicanafford]

i asked a similar question, to take a 1979 635CSI or a Mk1 MX5, although this was only to spa and back...i took the BWM, it was 100% the right choice...Take the Jag, you will feel like royalty. Just get the best breakdown insurance money can buy and relax

[s m]

Leins said:

Take the Jag! (says the MINI owner)

I'm a bit of a believer in these sorts of long trips actually being quite good for a big-engined older car. Let's them stretch their legs

Here's what the old PC crew thought in summing up a long distance test of 5 GT cars

[0llie]

Itsallicanafford said:

i asked a similar question, to take a 1979 635CSI or a Mk1 MX5, although this was only to spa and back...i took the BWM, it was 100% the right choice...Take the Jag, you will feel like royalty. Just get the best breakdown insurance money can buy and relax

There will definitely be triple platinum breakdown insurance in place Sounds like a great trip, love the 635CSi

s m said:

Here's what the old PC crew thought in summing up a long distance test of 5 GT cars

Funny, I was only flicking through my recently purchased copy last week. I don't know where they get their MPG figures from though, the only time I've ever seen 12mpg was driving through major gridlock in a local town. I've found it to be a much more economical car than my Range Rover Classic.

[warren182]

On roads like the napoleon, the mini would be a lot of fun. I adored mine.

The jag would be more of an occasion, but you won't drive the road in the same way.

I'd take the mini, and spank it mercilessly.

[MrBrightSi]

I took my Mx5 from the midlands, through paderborn to Chemnitz in east Germany.

The only thing that matters is taking a car you enjoy. I was fearing being broken down, i was fearing fuel costs and all that. Over 6 weeks out there with a lot of differing roads and driving and in the end, was glad i had chance to have the roof down and really spook people with a very rare care (in that part of europe)

Jag all the way.

[vz-r_dave]

MrBrightSi said:

I took my Mx5 from the midlands, through paderborn to Chemnitz in east Germany.

The only thing that matters is taking a car you enjoy. I was fearing being broken down, i was fearing fuel costs and all that. Over 6 weeks out there with a lot of differing roads and driving and in the end, was glad i had chance to have the roof down and really spook people with a very rare care (in that part of europe)

Jag all the way.

The Jag may spook people in East Germany but I saw plenty of MX5's whilst I lived in Leipzig.... it's hardly Soviet Russia lol

Jag allike day, a mini...... even with the great handling you'd be silly to miss the opportunity of that 6.0 v12. As some of the other posters just get goon road side recovery insurance and go for it.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Monday 17th October 20:22

[MrBrightSi]

The only one i saw was on the way back to paderborn and one in Rochlitz. Honestly shocked me that i didn't really see many and the only convertibles you got were big VAG stuff that shouldn't be a convertible.

[Matt UK]

Mini for me to enjoy the good roads and the 'ring.

You'll want to punt along; when pushed the Jag will feel like a pudding at best and at worst it might be too fragile.

[Mcbeth]

Me and the Mrs both have MINIs. I'd take the Jag. No question. It's the journey!

[gazza285]

4 pot or V12?

[s m]

0llie said:

s m said:

Here's what the old PC crew thought in summing up a long distance test of 5 GT cars

Funny, I was only flicking through my recently purchased copy last week. I don't know where they get their MPG figures from though, the only time I've ever seen 12mpg was driving through major gridlock in a local town. I've found it to be a much more economical car than my Range Rover Classic.

I guess the 12/13mpg will come from the fact that they were new press cars at the time and journos would maybe drive them harder than yourself in your Dad's treasured motor?

Difficult to say but the mpg was roughly the same in the Autocar group test with the Ferrari, 928 and 850 as well when they were pressing on, around 12 mpg with about 16 mpg on the touring route. The Autocar test did include them having a session at Combe and some fast cross-country driving through the Welsh mountains




Anyway, same result, they picked the Jag as it did the big GT thing best and was much better than they expected on the fast driving bits

Edited by s m on Tuesday 18th October 00:27

[0llie]

MrBrightSi said:

The only thing that matters is taking a car you enjoy. I was fearing being broken down

This is the only concern. Though I've slept on it and decided it's happening, no matter what my head says!

s m said:

I guess the 12/13mpg will come from the fact that they were new press cars at the time and journos would maybe drive them harder than yourself in your Dad's treasured motor?

It does get its legs stretched where possible, though as you can see the opportunities are rare because 2nd gear is good for over 110mph.. But yes generally I don't drive it anywhere near as hard as any of my cars.


I've slept on it and decided it's definitely going to be the Jaguar. As this isn't the full European road trip I want to do in the MINI, I'm not that upset about leaving it this time around. I was also reminded that I'll be going back to the Nurburgring in September, so the MINI can come along then

I'll be leaving in late March '17, I'll try and keep a thread with the progress if people are interested.

[s m]

0llie said:

I'll be leaving in late March '17, I'll try and keep a thread with the progress if people are interested.

I'd be interested Ollie - take lots of pics!

I've done similar European trips in some of my old cars. Have also gone in newer cars but it always seems more of a special event in something a bit different

[Dr Interceptor]

Ollie, take the Jag....and you know how much I love MINIs

[CS Garth]

A fine choice.

Having chosen the car you need to now carefully think about attire. I'd recommend a roll neck in soft beige, slacks and Harris tweed sportsjacket. Insist on changing into your house shoes at every hotel. Smoke cigars heavily at all junctures. Bonus points for a "sex the breakfast of champions" bumper sticker.

Enjoy!

[culpz]

If there's even a slight chance that you'll be going for a few laps round the 'ring then the Mini all day. It would be the mini for me regardless actually.

Nothing against the Jag, it's obviously a belting car and a good GT cruiser while doing the Autobahns and what-not. However, for the rest of the time it will be a big and heavy lump which you can't thrash about like you can do the mini.

I'd also want to take my own car for a European trip like this. If it was me, i'd be worrying myself stless in someones else's pride and joy and i wouldn't be able to enjoy myself quite as much.

Just my 2p.