What do you guys think of this??
Discussion
I've found this in a local dealer for £6k give or take.
1998 Mini Cooper No. 121
Very special!! Air Con, Leather, Alloys, Twin Tanks, 90BHP engine, Built at John Cooper Factory, Metallic Black, 38,000 miles, Full service history, 12 months MOT
It's got a touch of rust, but nothing compared to most I've seen.
I was more wondering (as a mini newbie) about the Cooper S Touring part, as in how desireable is it? (And air-con?? How bizarre)
1998 Mini Cooper No. 121
Very special!! Air Con, Leather, Alloys, Twin Tanks, 90BHP engine, Built at John Cooper Factory, Metallic Black, 38,000 miles, Full service history, 12 months MOT
It's got a touch of rust, but nothing compared to most I've seen.
I was more wondering (as a mini newbie) about the Cooper S Touring part, as in how desireable is it? (And air-con?? How bizarre)
They took brand new cars and added their cylinder heads etc to liberate the extra then shipped them out with new stickers and whatever extra options you specced. It was all done at the dealer, down by Ben.
£13K new...
If you keep it nice it wont lose money, thats for sure.
However at that price point I think you'd have to be an enthusiast to justify it, thats R plate 4.2 A8 money...
£13K new...
If you keep it nice it wont lose money, thats for sure.
However at that price point I think you'd have to be an enthusiast to justify it, thats R plate 4.2 A8 money...
Extra 300 Driver said:
Has it been imported from Japan?
I wondered about that. Extra 300 Driver said:
My new Rover Cooper had AC, I understand the ECU needs to be upgraded to cope with the drain.
That would seem a bit daft. Extra 300 Driver said:
I didnt really find out what it was like 'cos I sent it back to Rover, it was a pile of rubbish. I was also quoted 9 months to make me another!
6k for 1998 mini sound about right.
Personally i would find the eariler the mini the better. up to 1984 (that when they start come with disk brakes and 12" wheels so handle better, and less expensive), also i would avoid 13inch wheeled mini as they dont quite handle and go though front wheel bear quite often. but okay for normal driving.)
>> Edited by vrooom on Monday 22 May 20:04
Personally i would find the eariler the mini the better. up to 1984 (that when they start come with disk brakes and 12" wheels so handle better, and less expensive), also i would avoid 13inch wheeled mini as they dont quite handle and go though front wheel bear quite often. but okay for normal driving.)
>> Edited by vrooom on Monday 22 May 20:04
That'll be me!
Have had it (R plate 97) for five and a half years and have taken the mileage from 7600 to 63000 in that time, so it's been used and used well. No major faults in that time, it did break a rocker shaft once, but has been fine apart from that.
It does have 12" wheels and 4-speed gearbox, when new there was the option to have the Rover Sportpack fitted, with the 13" wheels, big arches, fog lamps, leather and extra dials etc. I think most of these cars were specced like this, as they cost the best part of £13k anyway!
In all the time I've had it, I have only ever seen two others in the flesh, one on 12s and one with the Sportpack so they are pretty rare in Mini circles. They (S Touring and S Sport 5) were superceded by the S Works cars.
The 90bhp kits rarely if ever make 90bhp, I haven't had mine tested, but most which have seem to produce low to mid 80s. You do notice the extra oomph and to me it makes the difference when keeping up with modern traffic conditions, esp when on the motorway! I've kept it as is, except for using Yokohama tyres and changing the suspension to Koni dampers and hi-lo adjustables.
The aircon seems a bit strange - I was under the impression that they couldn't it the aircon gubbins under the bonnet because of the twin-point injection setup. Models for Japanese export were fitted with air con as standard and the single point injection engine. Might be worth checking it out.
£6k sounds a little steep to me, i would only pay that if the bodywork was faultless, I reckon there's up to £1k haggling room there for you.
Andy
Have had it (R plate 97) for five and a half years and have taken the mileage from 7600 to 63000 in that time, so it's been used and used well. No major faults in that time, it did break a rocker shaft once, but has been fine apart from that.
It does have 12" wheels and 4-speed gearbox, when new there was the option to have the Rover Sportpack fitted, with the 13" wheels, big arches, fog lamps, leather and extra dials etc. I think most of these cars were specced like this, as they cost the best part of £13k anyway!
In all the time I've had it, I have only ever seen two others in the flesh, one on 12s and one with the Sportpack so they are pretty rare in Mini circles. They (S Touring and S Sport 5) were superceded by the S Works cars.
The 90bhp kits rarely if ever make 90bhp, I haven't had mine tested, but most which have seem to produce low to mid 80s. You do notice the extra oomph and to me it makes the difference when keeping up with modern traffic conditions, esp when on the motorway! I've kept it as is, except for using Yokohama tyres and changing the suspension to Koni dampers and hi-lo adjustables.
The aircon seems a bit strange - I was under the impression that they couldn't it the aircon gubbins under the bonnet because of the twin-point injection setup. Models for Japanese export were fitted with air con as standard and the single point injection engine. Might be worth checking it out.
£6k sounds a little steep to me, i would only pay that if the bodywork was faultless, I reckon there's up to £1k haggling room there for you.
Andy
you can tell if its a jap spec air con shell easy.
look at the boot lid, it should have four extra holes for the number plate carrier used in japan.
look in the engine bay, it will have a hole about 6" across on the rhs inner wing this houses the fan for some of the air con kit. the hole has bits and pieces welded into it, they also have the round hole in the lhs inner wing as per the s.p.is. they usually have a side mounted rad as well to clear the air con compessor.
theres a load of extra holes in the bulkhead as well.
look at the boot lid, it should have four extra holes for the number plate carrier used in japan.
look in the engine bay, it will have a hole about 6" across on the rhs inner wing this houses the fan for some of the air con kit. the hole has bits and pieces welded into it, they also have the round hole in the lhs inner wing as per the s.p.is. they usually have a side mounted rad as well to clear the air con compessor.
theres a load of extra holes in the bulkhead as well.
Cheers for the input guys. I'm going for another look tomorrow so I'll bear all this in mind. 
Twin point injections were never exported to Japan. Even when Europe had twin points, Japan were still getting single point injection models.
If it's a genuine John Cooper conversion there should be a plate on the crossmember between the drivers seat and the door. Write the details down and call John Cooper Garages, they may be able to supply you with some history!
Andy
If it's a genuine John Cooper conversion there should be a plate on the crossmember between the drivers seat and the door. Write the details down and call John Cooper Garages, they may be able to supply you with some history!
Andy
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff