where to find a mint mini?
Discussion
I have an itch to scratch. I've yet to own a mini and I seem to be getting drawn to the idea. I drove a sportpack mini cooper a few years ago and I think one of these might be fun. Or a tuned up mini, up to about £4500-ish. I could really justify spending more on such a tiny kart, but that should be enough for a good 'un.
So where shall I look? Anyone know of tidy examples or have any links to mini forums etc? Thanks!
So where shall I look? Anyone know of tidy examples or have any links to mini forums etc? Thanks!
There was one site I saw with classifieds on it, it was pieheads? pistonbeds? something like that -
www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=151
www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=151
I found my 66 on here, £1.5K restored shell, original everything apart from some rally bits. A few £K later, I've got a very fast car indeed. I suggest getting a Mk1 as they are the wise choice, look in the magazines and get an un-messed with one and then do an engine swap. Give yourself a couple of K for the car, a K to spend on suspension and brakes and another K on an engine, you'll be laughing and it will go up in value as well! Pre 64 involves having no suspension worries. Going dry from hydrolastic is a hassle and I wouldn't want to do it again.
If you do the work yourself, it'll be a good one. I have a preconception that quite a few fast minis have been bodged, fillered and welded badly. Take along a magnet to check the dodgy areas and go for it. Mk1's weigh less as standard, the door bins are useful and they are just better. 10" wheels a must. Mine is such a great car, it sounds great, goes like stink and draws crowds. It was such a good choice, hopefully you are going to make a similar one.
If you do the work yourself, it'll be a good one. I have a preconception that quite a few fast minis have been bodged, fillered and welded badly. Take along a magnet to check the dodgy areas and go for it. Mk1's weigh less as standard, the door bins are useful and they are just better. 10" wheels a must. Mine is such a great car, it sounds great, goes like stink and draws crowds. It was such a good choice, hopefully you are going to make a similar one.
I had a similar thing - my first car was a mini and wanted another ever since I got rid of it!
The freead papers (lots of them are on the net too) are the way to find a bargain - we found our 93 tahiti on there last year for £1300 and it was mint with 28k miles and all the paperwork you could imagine. Converted it to sportspack spec myself and its a beauty now.
Mini mags and websites are way overpriced and too many badly modded and leggy cars around.
Good Luck,
Cheers
Paul
The freead papers (lots of them are on the net too) are the way to find a bargain - we found our 93 tahiti on there last year for £1300 and it was mint with 28k miles and all the paperwork you could imagine. Converted it to sportspack spec myself and its a beauty now.
Mini mags and websites are way overpriced and too many badly modded and leggy cars around.
Good Luck,
Cheers
Paul
Worth a look at Wood and Picket, maybe John Cooper Garages (might struggle with £4.5K - worth a look), Henley Minis, GC Minis or Bristol Minis. All usually have a decent selection of recent Coopers and often some older/unusual stuff.
www.johncooper.co.uk
www.minis.co.uk
www.henleyclassicminis.com
www.lovemini.co.uk
www.gcminis.co.uk
www.miniman.com
>> Edited by xxplod on Tuesday 28th March 17:54
www.johncooper.co.uk
www.minis.co.uk
www.henleyclassicminis.com
www.lovemini.co.uk
www.gcminis.co.uk
www.miniman.com
>> Edited by xxplod on Tuesday 28th March 17:54
Hi 4WD,
Please be gentle with me as I am a newbie to PistonHeads but was told about your link by a friend of mine, DavidY.
The reason for posting is to let you know I might be able to help with your quest for a classic Mini, my girlfriend is rather begrudgingly selling hers at the moment ! It is a R reg with 26k miles and has been very well looked after. The car went to John Coopers a few years ago to have the S Works upgrade and after a very recent service we were told it was a great engine.
I am not sure whether this is the right place to add too much detail but please mail me if you are interested and I will happily give you lots more information. We live not far from Guildford in Surrey and you are more than welcome to come and have a look and drive.
Many thanks,
Swifty.
Please be gentle with me as I am a newbie to PistonHeads but was told about your link by a friend of mine, DavidY.
The reason for posting is to let you know I might be able to help with your quest for a classic Mini, my girlfriend is rather begrudgingly selling hers at the moment ! It is a R reg with 26k miles and has been very well looked after. The car went to John Coopers a few years ago to have the S Works upgrade and after a very recent service we were told it was a great engine.
I am not sure whether this is the right place to add too much detail but please mail me if you are interested and I will happily give you lots more information. We live not far from Guildford in Surrey and you are more than welcome to come and have a look and drive.
Many thanks,
Swifty.
hi. i will be putting my mini cooper 35le up for sale in the next few weeks. Its a limited edition, 1 of 200! Will have an MOT, and tax, and will have just been restored. If your interested send me an email and i will send some pictures, and more indepth info. Reply to phillskunk@hotmail.com All the best Phill
xxplod said:
Worth a look at Wood and Picket, maybe John Cooper Garages (might struggle with £4.5K - worth a look), Henley Minis, GC Minis or Bristol Minis. All usually have a decent selection of recent Coopers and often some older/unusual stuff.
www.johncooper.co.uk
www.minis.co.uk
www.henleyclassicminis.com
www.lovemini.co.uk
www.gcminis.co.uk
www.miniman.com
>> Edited by xxplod on Tuesday 28th March 17:54
www.johncooper.co.uk
www.minis.co.uk
www.henleyclassicminis.com
www.lovemini.co.uk
www.gcminis.co.uk
www.miniman.com
>> Edited by xxplod on Tuesday 28th March 17:54
Henley classic minis? I would enter that name in Yahoo search engine you may change your mind about them after that. I have had dealings with the company and lets say they were not favourable.
My mate has a very good 1960 shell, I mean damn good, it's an ex-race car so is not beautiful, the paint is shabby and it's been in a repair garage for 35 years. He also has lots of bits, including 2 MG Metro engines. If you got that car, you could get it painted and running a hairy engine for your budget. Mk1's are the way to go.
He has to get out of his industrial unit in a matter of weeks and has loads of lovely stuff to get rid of. I imagine he'll ebay it but a good offer on the mini might get it.
It was his idea to fit something like a KAD 16v to it and have the most solid, most shabby fastest mini ever! It looks horrible but has no rust at all. The original one piece floor. Nice.
He has to get out of his industrial unit in a matter of weeks and has loads of lovely stuff to get rid of. I imagine he'll ebay it but a good offer on the mini might get it.
It was his idea to fit something like a KAD 16v to it and have the most solid, most shabby fastest mini ever! It looks horrible but has no rust at all. The original one piece floor. Nice.
Jamesuk - you are right about Henley Classic Minis. I was merely going by ads in the press to give a selection. Since my post I have visited Henley Classic Minis as I was considering replacing my 1993 Italian Job (since decided to restore). With respect to the PH rules, I'll just say I was not tempted by any of their stock.
love machine said:
My mate has a very good 1960 shell, I mean damn good, it's an ex-race car so is not beautiful, the paint is shabby and it's been in a repair garage for 35 years. He also has lots of bits, including 2 MG Metro engines. If you got that car, you could get it painted and running a hairy engine for your budget. Mk1's are the way to go.
He has to get out of his industrial unit in a matter of weeks and has loads of lovely stuff to get rid of. I imagine he'll ebay it but a good offer on the mini might get it.
It was his idea to fit something like a KAD 16v to it and have the most solid, most shabby fastest mini ever! It looks horrible but has no rust at all. The original one piece floor. Nice.
He has to get out of his industrial unit in a matter of weeks and has loads of lovely stuff to get rid of. I imagine he'll ebay it but a good offer on the mini might get it.
It was his idea to fit something like a KAD 16v to it and have the most solid, most shabby fastest mini ever! It looks horrible but has no rust at all. The original one piece floor. Nice.
Love Machine YHM!
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