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Following up on the storage question—did you really find the boot adequate for luggage-heavy touring? I've read complaints about it being too small for proper trips. Roof box perhaps?

Did you encounter any mechanical issues during the 3000 miles? Any warning lights or unusual noises? I'm curious about real-world reliability from someone who actually pushed the car beyond typical daily use.

I should be fair though—if you're a calm driver and maintain steady speeds, I can see getting better figures. I do a lot of city driving which explains my lower numbers. For highway cruising, your numbers might be more realistic.

Did you use cruise control much on the motorway? That's supposed to help with fuel economy and comfort. Just trying to figure out how realistic your figures are for someone like me with a longer daily commute.

Just remembered, service costs for my Mini last year were over £400 for a basic check and fluid change. Factor that into regular ownership and the true cost becomes clear. Still a fun car though, just expensive to maintain properly.

Also, the Mini brand hype is real but outdated in my view. Modern cars offer so much better value. You could get a Fiesta or Polo with more space, better safety, and lower running costs. Nothing revolutionary about the Mini anymore.

The premium feel you mentioned is exactly what draws me to Minis. They punch above their weight in terms of interior quality and design. That's worth something even if fuel economy isn't spectacular.

Regardless of the debate here, this is a well-written journey account. Gives potential buyers a realistic picture of what to expect. Thanks for taking the time to document this properly, Kevin. Thinking about trying something similar myself.