Classic mini Weather protection

[ThomasMc1]

Hi all, new to the page. I have 2 questions I need help with..

I’m thinking of buying a classic mini as a (semi) daily driver. I have no mechanical experience and don’t want to try and fix it incase I break it and even more haha.

I’m looking for a ready-to-go fun car to enjoy for many years and DON’T want a project or a fixer upper as I don’t want to keep putting it into get fixed/repaired all the time.

what worries me is that how bad they rust and I don’t have a garage to store it from bad weather. Staying in Scotland it’s always raining and the frost in the winter is really bad.

Due to it being a classic, of course I get that it will need some work done to it from time to time. But I also don’t want it constantly breaking down or in a garage getting repairs/fixed.

So my first question is about reliability...

So what would you do to make sure it’s as reliable as possible? Get it serviced often... and what else?

Second question is about bodywork..

How would you best protect your mini from rust? Thermo/waterproof cover, let it air out every now and then, Also get it paint protected? how would you keep the underside from rusting?

Everyone I’ve spoken to is giving me mixed reviews. Some are saying don’t get one as I’m asking for problems leaving it out and not having mechanical experience etc.. and others are saying they drive theirs daily and keep it outside in all weathers...

I know that was a lot to read through but my heart wants one but my brain is saying it’s going to be a headache and bank drainer haha.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

[LuS1fer]

Run away.
I had one and it was the very definition of constant replacement of parts as they rusted or failed. The subframe replacement was a nightmare and it never stopped rusting or needing yet another part. Parts were cheap but, overall, it was more expensive to maintain than a Scirocco GTI I had.

It was also noisy, bouncy and even the "fun go-kart" side didn't remove what a PITA it was.

As a daily driver, I wouldn't entertain one now, there are better cars and, for the prices they now command, far better value cars out there

Apologies to classic Mini fans.

[ThomasMc1]

Thanks for replying mate. Sounds like a hell of a time you had with your mini !

It’s crazy because there’s people I’ve seen that have one as a daily and it’s out on all weathers and they run fine. So I’m stuck on the fence with it.

Totally agree you can get better deals on other cars but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Cooper. It’s iconic and so stylish

[spikeyhead]

I had mine when I was at uni on the mid 80s. It was only a few years old, too young to start rusting but there was always some spannering to be done. Rarely would it get through a month without something needing to be fixed, or some essential maintenance required.

[northwestrecovery]

Run as far away as fast as possible and don't look back , unless you can fix them yourself it will cost a fortune in labour if you can find someone that can and will fix it . Parts are cheap because they are rubbish , don't fit and will need replacing regular .
They leak water into the car , oil out of every seal . And join the AA .

[Mr Peel]

I ran a classic Cooper as a daily in the late 90s when you could still buy them new. Even then it was a big commitment compared to a modern car. Mine started needing rust work at 3 years old.

You need a modern MINI.

[Chubbyross]

Not wanting to be too pessimistic here but I’d run away too. I had one in the late 80s and, whilst fun from time to time, was mainly a pita. It’s fine if you like tinkering with cars but you will spend many, many tedious mornings wondering why the wretched thing won’t start. Unless you’re fine with having your head perpetually under the bonnet this will require either a mobile mechanic coming to you or you trying to figure out how you can get your dead car to your local garage.

The idea of it sounds wonderful but the reality is far from that. There’s a very good reason why you hardly ever see them on the roads nowadays.

[HustleRussell]

You have no inclination to learn how to maintain and fix it yourself?

Buy something modern.

[LuS1fer]

Well there you have it.
They are incredibly noisy on a long journey.
They do rust. Everywhere.
Replacement parts are cheap and rubbish do are cyclical.
The rubber bung in my boot failed where the battery lead heads to the front. It cut out and plasma cut a groove in the floor.
They're uncomfortable.
My first car was an Austin A40. Great car but that rusted like most 60s and 70s cars.

As above, an original 2005 Bini is probably your best bet or a Fiesta ST.

[brownspeed]

I have one on my drive. I could use it as a daily if I chose to, because I'm very mechanically profficient.

If I were you; I'd wouldn't get one; as suggested by previous contributors, buy a Bini. More reliable, quicker, roomier, comfier, safer, cheaper to run and insure.

[mk1coopers]

Sorry, but don't do it with the way you want to run it, when we had to run them (as that was all that was affordable) you had to be on top of them all the time (and they weren't that old then) get yourself something modern and cheap, put all the money you would have spent on the Mini away and when you have somewhere dry and warm to keep it go out and buy the best one you can, then enjoy it.

I've got a 200 mile journey at the weekend to do in one and it's not going to be fun (with the forecast), once I'm back it will need going through to make sure it's dry and everything is where it should be, this is a reliable well maintained car that (pre Covid) I drove to the Alps and across to lake Geneva and back in.

[and31]

brownspeed said:

I have one on my drive. I could use it as a daily if I chose to, because I'm very mechanically profficient.

If I were you; I'd wouldn't get one; as suggested by previous contributors, buy a Bini. More reliable, quicker, roomier, comfier, safer, cheaper to run and insure.

Stop with the “Bini” bks.
I’ve owned classic minis since I was 16 years old,and my parents owned loads and loads of them.they are they greatest car ever,but the bini comments are unjustified and make you sound very juvenile.
I have a very well sorted R53 and it’s a far better car in every respect than an original mini.
I’m currently looking for a nice mk1 mini,something to cherish and keep forever,but no way would I try and run one as a daily.

Edited by and31 on Saturday 22 May 21:41

[LuS1fer]

and31 said:

Stop with the “Bini” bks.
I’ve owned classic minis since I was 16 years old,and my parents owned loads and loads of them.they are they greatest car ever,but the bini comments are unjustified and make you sound very juvenile.

Part of the language now, it's that or MINI which is worse. The original BMW Mini will be a classic, the later bloater paste not so much.

I had one 1979 Mini and that was enough. Greatest car ever it isn't.

[and31]

LuS1fer said:

Part of the language now, it's that or MINI which is worse.

Really not sure what you mean-part of the language?
MINI is worse?? How so?

[LuS1fer]

and31 said:

LuS1fer said:

Part of the language now, it's that or MINI which is worse.

Really not sure what you mean-part of the language?
MINI is worse?? How so?

It was a shorthand way if distinguishing the Mini from the later car which was anything but mini, though in a fatter modern world, a good tribute act. So it was a swift means of divining the car in question. Normal people don't understand model codes.

MINI is worse as it's far harder to type though itself ironically emphasises how much BIGGER it is.

[ThomasMc1]

So it’s safe to say they sound like a nightmare more than anything! Just can’t get my head around how people use them as daily’s then. Must be doing something right surely?

[HustleRussell]

ThomasMc1 said:

So it’s safe to say they sound like a nightmare more than anything! Just can’t get my head around how people use them as daily’s then. Must be doing something right surely?

They are car enthusiasts. They have the will and the experience to maintain and repair a fragile old car.

[spikeyhead]

ThomasMc1 said:

So it’s safe to say they sound like a nightmare more than anything! Just can’t get my head around how people use them as daily’s then. Must be doing something right surely?

Mine was about five years old when I owned it. Oil changes were done several times a year. Setting the timing needed doing often, points, plugs, condenser, distributer cap all needed fettling and I used to keep spares of each in the car all the time. Changing wheel bearings, CV joints, brake cylinders and shoes was all an annual occurrence. The alternator seized at 60k miles. I changed the cam chain a couple of times. The wiring in the steering column caught fire. The exhausts would rust for fun.

...but as a drivers car, nothing will tell the seat of your pants more about what's happening with traction. Great fun when everything is working.

[ThomasMc1]

Well my plan was to buy a vtec engine for reliability so most stuff wouldn’t break down as often and it means I can keep on top of the other stuff (which would get looked at and fixed with a service/MOT anyway. Would put it on more often for check ups to keep on top of it. Surely it’s not going to brake down as much as people are saying, if I do it that way?

[HustleRussell]

Just gonna put a vtec in it yeah?