mini buyers guide?
Discussion
Hey
Toying with the idea of a mini for london. Insurance is bonkers on anything bigger, and well i've always fancied one for a laugh.
Is there a buyers guide available for these? Things to look out for? I'm not mechanically minded and don't have the time nor space to tinker with one.
Additionally, does anyone know this example:
www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=32684&s=151
Cheers all
Toying with the idea of a mini for london. Insurance is bonkers on anything bigger, and well i've always fancied one for a laugh.
Is there a buyers guide available for these? Things to look out for? I'm not mechanically minded and don't have the time nor space to tinker with one.
Additionally, does anyone know this example:
www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=32684&s=151
Cheers all
Go for it! Looks nice to me.
Look very carefully for rust. It might be an idea to get the "Restoring a Mini" manual (Haynes) so that you can be aware of where they may be bodged/rotten.
They are truly amazing cars. Brilliant. But you can be sure of one thing. You have a finite amount of time before you are hankering after one which goes quicker and corners better!
Look very carefully for rust. It might be an idea to get the "Restoring a Mini" manual (Haynes) so that you can be aware of where they may be bodged/rotten.
They are truly amazing cars. Brilliant. But you can be sure of one thing. You have a finite amount of time before you are hankering after one which goes quicker and corners better!
Rusty bits to check :
Hinge Panels
Plenum Panel, corners especially
A Panels
Door bottoms
Front wings, around ariel [?] hole and indicators, lamps etc
Rear Wheel arch - bit next to rear valance
Rear and Front Valances
Roof gutters
SILLS
Front Floor Panels
Wheelarch panels
Inside rear pockets [check under the card inlays]
Is that it? Oh yeah, and the front panel!
Also check the rear subframes. acessories or crap chrome is easily rectified due to a mass of aftermarket parts places - ie minispares, minisport. Have Fun, or as a new mini owner would say, 'viel spass'
Hinge Panels
Plenum Panel, corners especially
A Panels
Door bottoms
Front wings, around ariel [?] hole and indicators, lamps etc
Rear Wheel arch - bit next to rear valance
Rear and Front Valances
Roof gutters
SILLS
Front Floor Panels
Wheelarch panels
Inside rear pockets [check under the card inlays]
Is that it? Oh yeah, and the front panel!
Also check the rear subframes. acessories or crap chrome is easily rectified due to a mass of aftermarket parts places - ie minispares, minisport. Have Fun, or as a new mini owner would say, 'viel spass'
There's a buyer's guide on my site and also a printable checklist to take with you:
www.minispecial.com/technical/buyersguide.asp
HTH
www.minispecial.com/technical/buyersguide.asp
HTH
seriously, go and test drive the mini, preferably on long B road. then back to eurobox.... you'll see the difference.
Yes, they need lots of attention. and can be expenisve if you handkering go faster.
but cheaper to buy "upgraded" parts than eurobox's standard part. i.e performace cylinder heads around £300. complete suspesion work. £250.
I say... GO FOR IT.
Jay
Yes, they need lots of attention. and can be expenisve if you handkering go faster.
but cheaper to buy "upgraded" parts than eurobox's standard part. i.e performace cylinder heads around £300. complete suspesion work. £250.
I say... GO FOR IT.
Jay
Rico, if you don't want to get your hands dirty, all the reason to get a good one to start with. I bought my 66 on this site for £1500 and the shell had been restored. Get a good one and keep on top of it.
Since I have had it, I have replaced just about everything in the name of handling/performance.
For £4000 you should be able to get one in sound body and mechanical order.
But, like your second go on a crack pipe, from then on in, you're screwed. You will hear about a 64 S in a garage for £200. That is when you will get your welding skills.
Without a doubt, my blue one is the most fun thing you can take on the road, I've had a few lairy cars as well.
As far as parts/support/value/fun is concerned a mini compares really well with ANYTHING for double the price. Don't be afraid of the spanners either, it's like big meccano and there are numerous idiot guides.
DO IT. GET A MINI.
Since I have had it, I have replaced just about everything in the name of handling/performance.
For £4000 you should be able to get one in sound body and mechanical order.
But, like your second go on a crack pipe, from then on in, you're screwed. You will hear about a 64 S in a garage for £200. That is when you will get your welding skills.
Without a doubt, my blue one is the most fun thing you can take on the road, I've had a few lairy cars as well.
As far as parts/support/value/fun is concerned a mini compares really well with ANYTHING for double the price. Don't be afraid of the spanners either, it's like big meccano and there are numerous idiot guides.
DO IT. GET A MINI.
Yeah, rust proofing seems to make the difference. I have an '89 shell which was treated from new, and it's got less rust than my VW Golf of a similar age.
(I can't believe I just admitted to owning a Golf...)
The problem is that Minis didn't come with rust protection from the factory, unlike modern cars.
Certainly rust is the killer of a Mini, not the mechanical stuff. Rust costs (almost) as much to fix as any car, but mechanical problems are a lot easier and cheaper to put right.
(I can't believe I just admitted to owning a Golf...)
The problem is that Minis didn't come with rust protection from the factory, unlike modern cars.
Certainly rust is the killer of a Mini, not the mechanical stuff. Rust costs (almost) as much to fix as any car, but mechanical problems are a lot easier and cheaper to put right.
Almost nobody is more into Minis (the original ones) than I am and have been for over 44 years.
However, unless you are able to do most of the jobs that ALWAYS have to be done sooner or later then go for something else. The typical jobs which will need to be done, excluding rusty bodywork, include: Front Swivel Pins, Rear Radius Arm Bearings, Clutch Changes (especially in London and with a Verto clutch), Engine Steady Bushes, Gear Linkage Oil Leaks, Sub-Frame Mountings, etc, etc.
I have a 1995 Fiesta 1.6 Si which is a sort-of spare car and I use it to collect Mini parts, run into town, go shopping, and keep the mileage on my big BMW down to reduce depreciation. It handles well, is ultra reliable, is economical, has super (Recaro) seats as standard, goes like the clappers and gives 42 mpg average. What's it worth? Maybe £450. That's the right sort of car for London traffic. For a bit more you would get the later body shape.
Now, that's just being practical. If you can do the work on a Mini yourself, then don't even consider anything else!
However, unless you are able to do most of the jobs that ALWAYS have to be done sooner or later then go for something else. The typical jobs which will need to be done, excluding rusty bodywork, include: Front Swivel Pins, Rear Radius Arm Bearings, Clutch Changes (especially in London and with a Verto clutch), Engine Steady Bushes, Gear Linkage Oil Leaks, Sub-Frame Mountings, etc, etc.
I have a 1995 Fiesta 1.6 Si which is a sort-of spare car and I use it to collect Mini parts, run into town, go shopping, and keep the mileage on my big BMW down to reduce depreciation. It handles well, is ultra reliable, is economical, has super (Recaro) seats as standard, goes like the clappers and gives 42 mpg average. What's it worth? Maybe £450. That's the right sort of car for London traffic. For a bit more you would get the later body shape.
Now, that's just being practical. If you can do the work on a Mini yourself, then don't even consider anything else!
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