Looking at a Mini
Discussion
Hi All,
A classic (1989) Rover City E 2dr has come up on the forecourt of one of our local dealerships in Warrington.
I have had my eye on one for a while now just as something of a toy and possibly a little fun with some simple modifications.
The reg is G128 FOM so if anyone has any knowledge on the history of this that would be handy.
As for the details:
- Tt has 90k on the clock, should this concern me? Or is the fact it has had regular use actually a positive in that it must have been looked after and been a good runner?
- There is no exterior rust and it looks to be in pretty good shape altogether.
- It has original alloys in great condition
- The interior is used but not bad at all, no tears in the leather or upholstery.
I plan on going to take a much closer look at it either today or tomorrow. What are some things I should look for?
It is listed at £3700 which may be a little steep but they are apparently "open to offers" so what would a "good condition" high mileage 1989 mini be expected to fetch?
And one more question, I know this is largely irrelevant, but what is the market for minis like at the moment? Is it likely to increase or decrease in value with regular but brief use and kept in a dry garage?
ANY advice appreciated.
A classic (1989) Rover City E 2dr has come up on the forecourt of one of our local dealerships in Warrington.
I have had my eye on one for a while now just as something of a toy and possibly a little fun with some simple modifications.
The reg is G128 FOM so if anyone has any knowledge on the history of this that would be handy.
As for the details:
- Tt has 90k on the clock, should this concern me? Or is the fact it has had regular use actually a positive in that it must have been looked after and been a good runner?
- There is no exterior rust and it looks to be in pretty good shape altogether.
- It has original alloys in great condition
- The interior is used but not bad at all, no tears in the leather or upholstery.
I plan on going to take a much closer look at it either today or tomorrow. What are some things I should look for?
It is listed at £3700 which may be a little steep but they are apparently "open to offers" so what would a "good condition" high mileage 1989 mini be expected to fetch?
And one more question, I know this is largely irrelevant, but what is the market for minis like at the moment? Is it likely to increase or decrease in value with regular but brief use and kept in a dry garage?
ANY advice appreciated.
A well looked after A-series will do 100K, but at 90K it will becoming leggy - expect an engine rebuild if you plan to do another 40-50K. Pistons, rings and crank/cam bearings, all standard stuff.
As for being (appearing) rust free, I'd ensure I took someone that is aware of the perils of Mini tinworm, to inspect the car if you arent 100% sure where to look for it.
It is strong money for a standard 1000cc Mini and would need to be absolutely "Mint" to get 3.5K.
As for being (appearing) rust free, I'd ensure I took someone that is aware of the perils of Mini tinworm, to inspect the car if you arent 100% sure where to look for it.
It is strong money for a standard 1000cc Mini and would need to be absolutely "Mint" to get 3.5K.
FWDRacer said:
A well looked after A-series will do 100K, but at 90K it will becoming leggy - expect an engine rebuild if you plan to do another 40-50K. Pistons, rings and crank/cam bearings, all standard stuff.
As for being (appearing) rust free, I'd ensure I took someone that is aware of the perils of Mini tinworm, to inspect the car if you arent 100% sure where to look for it.
It is strong money for a standard 1000cc Mini and would need to be absolutely "Mint" to get 3.5K.
Agree that this is a high asking price for a 90k miles unrestored Mini.As for being (appearing) rust free, I'd ensure I took someone that is aware of the perils of Mini tinworm, to inspect the car if you arent 100% sure where to look for it.
It is strong money for a standard 1000cc Mini and would need to be absolutely "Mint" to get 3.5K.
Whatever happens, do get a Mini expert to search out the rust. It can be well-hidden and can cost thousands to put right. Minis of that age are very rust prone in many areas.
At 90k miles an engine re-build will be required sooner rather than later and around £1800 should be allowed for an engine & gearbox re-build, unless you can do all the work yourself. In fact, if you can't do most mechanical work yourself a Mini will be an expensive classic to own.
Cooperman said:
Agree that this is a high asking price for a 90k miles unrestored Mini.
Whatever happens, do get a Mini expert to search out the rust. It can be well-hidden and can cost thousands to put right. Minis of that age are very rust prone in many areas.
At 90k miles an engine re-build will be required sooner rather than later and around £1800 should be allowed for an engine & gearbox re-build, unless you can do all the work yourself. In fact, if you can't do most mechanical work yourself a Mini will be an expensive classic to own.
Where is all this 100k coming from?? Sounds like an old viewpoint that all cars were for the scrap yard when they reached 100k!Whatever happens, do get a Mini expert to search out the rust. It can be well-hidden and can cost thousands to put right. Minis of that age are very rust prone in many areas.
At 90k miles an engine re-build will be required sooner rather than later and around £1800 should be allowed for an engine & gearbox re-build, unless you can do all the work yourself. In fact, if you can't do most mechanical work yourself a Mini will be an expensive classic to own.
The clutch might need replacing, but the gearbox on my old 1000 was sold at around 110k and was absolutely fine. I drive it hard for three years too.
What caused my rebuild was the head cracking and marking the block. Think I ended uo with three heads on my Mini.
Anyways, as others have said, exterior maybe be fine, but I'd want to check sills (Inner and outer),inner wheel arches, boot floor, front/rear vallances (SP?) and inspect really closey anywhere near where the bottom of the body joints are.
Doors are another nightmare area for rust.
I still miss my 87 Mini. I ploughed thousands into that car. Wish I never sold it
May buy myself a Cooper one day. The trouble is they aren't the most practical cars in the world... It is generally accepted that an A-series engine will need at least a 're-fresh' as it approaches 100k miles. The Mini gearbox is usually a bit 'tired' at those miles, especially the diff pin.
This un-restored mileage will have an impact on the value and whilst it could well run many more thousands of miles, 'it ain't necessarily so' (as the old song goes), so some allowance for the mileage must be factored into the true value.
This un-restored mileage will have an impact on the value and whilst it could well run many more thousands of miles, 'it ain't necessarily so' (as the old song goes), so some allowance for the mileage must be factored into the true value.
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