Which of these to take on a European trip?

[0llie]

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;

[0llie]

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...

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.

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.

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!

[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

[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.

[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.

[0llie]

Dr Interceptor said:

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

How's the F57 going? I'm beginning to think everyone just wants to see me break down

CS Garth said:

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!

With this being the "Yuppy" special version of the XJS, I was thinking more belts & braces, fliofaxes, executive mobiles phones and falling through bars whilst very drunk

aeropilot said:

factored in the extra day needed for the trip to account for all the fuel stops required

I'll need to stop less in the Jaguar than I would in the MINI, an even bigger bonus The Jaguar holds 20 gallons, the MINI just over 11, the Jaguar will return around 20-22mpg at an 80-85mph cruise, the MINI around 30-32 at best. 440 miles vs. 352 miles

austinsmirk said:

Jag, theres nothing special about a mini or memorable. You're never going to look back in 20 years and have warm thoughts about driving a mini.

My story with MINI goes back a long way. It's a special car to me (means a lot more to be than the XJR-S) and does hold many fond memories. I've covered 100k+ in them over the years and wouldn't be without one now. In this instance I'm just extremely fortunate to be in the position where I can chose between 2 great cars

[GiveItSomeWellie]

Sorry to have left this hanging, but finally some closure;

Due to a new job I've just accepted I won't even be able to make the trip

However because of my new job, I now have more annual leave to plan this stuff, and since the folks have taken delivery of their Mustang, I feel the Jaguar will now be much more available now than it once was

Currently planning a couple of trips, thinking of taking the Cooper S for a trackday at Imola, taking the Jaguar over to Ireland and then later on in the year across Europe but along a slightly different route.

Edited by GiveItSomeWellie on Wednesday 30th November 11:00