VW Golf GTI Colour Concept (Mk3)
Still pretty stylish for a 15 year-old design
"When I was far too young to drive my aunt decided she'd buy a brand new Mini. Knowing I was an utter car nut she let me tag along, which was a mistake because I must have cost her about £4K in extras! Please get white with red leather, please get the black roof, please get spot lights, please get the 17s I said. And the Chili pack. And the chrome pack... The end result was glorious and I've promised myself one ever since.
"Suddenly I needed transport and I had lost patience with my Golf project. Small, cheap-ish to run, fun to drive, with decent kit and reasonably reliable, a Cooper fitted the bill. I found this one with low miles, full leather and climate control on Gumtree and went to see it. There were a couple of cosmetic issues but the price was low enough. I picked the slightly older model over the newer new Mini as I think the shape is just less bloated and the interior design is nicer."
What I wish I'd known:
"I should have researched known failures but I was too excited to have a car that worked. I wish I'd spotted the badly mushroomed top strut mounts on the front suspension, as these will need sorting. It's not a rust-free car either, so that will need attention.
"I was lucky to have picked a facelifted post '54 plate car, as these ditch the troublesome Midlands 'box in favour of a slightly more reliable Getrag unit."
It's a well travelled Mini!
"The styling. For the same money I could only get something very boring or very old. The Mini gives the right amount of retro and modern for me, and the black-black-black colour scheme prevents it being too feminine. I think these cars happen to age quite well also.
"It makes a nice noise, the previous owner having fitted a tasteful aftermarket back box. The engine might be rough, but it provides a nice burble that's refreshingly different from the synthesised turbocharged drone of more modern machinery.
"The car loves the back roads, and the chassis is still sharp and direct despite tired suspension, with just enough torque to pull you through corners."
Things I hate:
"The 1.6 Tritec Chrysler engines used in these Minis are a known weak point - it burns oil and makes a bit of a racket, doesn't give spectacular MPG and delivers average performance. It's not terrible, but it's not great either.
"Not the car's fault, but it is pretty unbearable on Edinburgh's cobbled/rutted/potholed excuses for roads. Sports suspension on run-flat tyres wasn't an issue in Glasgow but it takes some patience in Edinburgh. Poly bushes will be on the cards budget permitting."
"Also, the boot is pitiful."
This must have required some clever packing...
"The insurance is quite reasonable, costing me roughly £450 fully comp (23, two year's NCB). Fuel is average, I get about 40-45mpg extra-urban on super unleaded.
"I've had the car two years and had to replace the clutch, bushes, two run-flat tyres, the radiator, a brake pipe, a wheel bearing, timing chain tensioner, brake pads, oxygen sensor, plus some usual service items.
"The list of stuff is growing all the time. It's handy (or infuriating) that Eastern Mini gives your car an in-depth video review, allowing a technician to talk you through all the faults. There are two small oil leaks. I'll need to budget for a gearbox rebuild at some point. My discs are lipped and corroded. Two more tyres are on their way out. And the other oxygen sensor needs replaced.
"I only used the dealer to sort the chain tensioner. I've had great service and advice from Jim at Rite Fix (Coatbridge), who sorted the services, clutch, radiator and sensors."
A few more things to sort, but Brad is keeping it
"Last summer I took the car around the north of Scotland, using much of the North Coast 500 route. That was fun, the Mini is definitely best suited to the twisty roads! It was also an exercise in packing camping gear in as little space as possible. It's been to Aviemore in the snow, where I learned that the pillar-less doors like to freeze shut. This August I'll use the roof rack to take a pair of bikes up to North Uist for the Herculean Challenge."
What next?
"I'd like to keep the Mini as it hasn't really let me down and I still enjoy it. Once some key niggles are sorted it'll be nicer to live with long-term. I'm seeing growing appreciation for these early (R50, R53) BMW Minis, so there's great club support."