MF Garage: Packing a MINI Roadster

So you’re curious about the MINI Roadster but a little concerned about the apparent lack of space? We were until we got to drive the car at the launch event last January and we got a glimpse at the trunk. And then the space behind the rear seats. When pressed for luggage duty at the Portugal launch, we were genuinely surprised at how versatile the car was. But it’s one thing to experience it once with a few bags of luggage; it’s another to make it your daily driver. This past weekend we started that process with a road-trip to ALMS at Road America. But the real first test was packing for our entry into the 24 Hours of LeMons the day after (at the same track). And as many of you likely know, racing requires stuff. Stuff that needed to somehow fit into our little JCW.

Let’s talk about packing. First up was the trunk. It’s a straight-forward exercise in packing as the shape is rectangular and easy to figure out. Sort of like a real world Tetris with plenty of do-overs. Once done the trunk had swallowed four grocery bags, a duffle, shoes, a box of tools and racing apparel, a large cooler (full of Bell’s if you’re curious) and some lederhosen (don’t ask). All told much more than you’d expect fit in small open top car.

Upfront we started with two laptop bags and a camera bag behind the seats. Then as you can see, some lights and a helmet (all safely strapped in). All pretty easily done with no drama. In fact you could probably fit two overnight bags plus a camera back back there without issues.

So consider the first test passed. But it won’t be the last. We’ve got plenty ahead of this little car.