I've flat towed my Mini about 10,000 miles so far - with absolutely no issues - transmission or otherwise. I tow with my 09 Clubman S automatic......it sure makes it a lot easier having a quiet car with A/C and cruise control on long runs. Going from KC to Aspen last summer I was using the cruise control and running at 75 mph almost all the way to Colorado. Mine's been to the east coast twice, to Texas Hill country and back, and to Colorado a couple of times. I've also done shorter runs of only a few hundred miles.

I do make sure that my car is ready to tow, tires aired up properly, fresh oil in the engine, clean grease in all the wheel bearings, suspension points greased, ball joints adjusted correctly, alignment good etc. And don't forget to leave the key on and the the handbrake off!

You do have to pay attention.....leave plenty of room for braking, and don't make any sudden moves. Also - you cannot back up with a car hooked on the back. 

I bought and installed a hitch from Curt for about $165, plus you'll need to wire in the connector box for turn signals and brake lights. I use the LED lights from Harbor Freight, set in the back window of the Mini.

In the UK, home of the Bini, it is utterly illegal to tow anything with a 3-door hatch !

None of them from 2001-today have ever undergone type-approval for towing, something we found out while speccing Suzy's 1499GT.

For flat towing with A-frame and cross bar, you have to make it yourself from angle iron, high tensile bolts and a harbor freight A-frame.

The page I linked to above has full instructions, and 7ent have a video here:
https://www.7ent.com/blog/classic-mini-diy-how-to-tow-classic-mini.html

We can supply the hitch for your 2005 R53 Cooper S - there are two versions:

R53 models with rear fog light

R53 models without rear fog light

200 lb maximum tongue weight
1400 lb maximum towing capacity

BlueInno,

If you are interested in purchasing a tow bar made specifically for a classic Mini similar to the one pictured, I have one available that I would be willing to sell. It connects to the Mini directly into the front subframe mounting holes. I'm located nearby in Virginia Beach.

For the new MINI tow vehicle, there are kits available. 

Thanks for the information and the 2 links, I think we're fine with the weight.  Our trips are not typically more than a few hundred miles, from the relatively flat area around Richmond Va to south western Va and Tenn. Since my wife likes to drive the twisties also we're looking for a compromise that doesn't include being a passenger! This seems like the best bet.

Flat towed Minis to 2 Mini Meets involving 1000 miles plus each time and never had a problem with a nose bearing.

The problem with a MINI towing a Mini is the weight. Tow hitches for the MINI attach to the rear bumper mounts and are only rated for Class 1, so up to 2000 LBs max.

Hint: make sure you select the correct hitch style for your cars body kit. 

https://new.minimania.com/part/NMX6110

Hard to find a setup where the trailer + mini combo meet the hitch max weight limit, so I did it by following these instructions to build an A-frame for flat towing instead.

http: //restorationmini.com/forum/index.php?page=page3689

I had no problems hauling my ‘67 mini behind my ‘15 MINI for 250 miles or so from Boston to MME 2018. I used the wiring kit to add a trailer light hookup to the MINI, plus a pair of magnetic LED combo lights on the mini rear parcel shelf for brake/turn signals.

I wouldn’t tow it more than a few hundred miles like that though, especially on a pre-A+ gearbox as the mainshaft nose bearing is not really designed to take the speed from the wheels when the box is in neutral.

I'd like to tow our 74 Inno with an 05 Cooper S.  I've read what I can find, what I really need are the parts.  If I use a tow dolly who makes one for a 74? If I use a bar, who has the best set up?  The Inno has the tow eyes however the 05 S doesn't have a hitch or other connectors yet. Any recommendations for the full kit of either? Thanks all!