Old Minis, What to look out for?
Discussion
On a very limited budget for a new car and I was thinking about a "classic" (ie not BMW) mini.
Cheap to run, cheap to insure and supposedly lots of fun (with a lot more style than anything else I could get and insure for under a bag of sand).
Problem is I dont actually know all that much about minis. That said, any advice on what to look out for, which models to avoid and which models to go for would be very welcome.
Always fancied a late model cooper with all the toys, unfortunately they are going to be WELL out of budget.
Over to you guys and girls
Cheap to run, cheap to insure and supposedly lots of fun (with a lot more style than anything else I could get and insure for under a bag of sand).
Problem is I dont actually know all that much about minis. That said, any advice on what to look out for, which models to avoid and which models to go for would be very welcome.
Always fancied a late model cooper with all the toys, unfortunately they are going to be WELL out of budget.
Over to you guys and girls
Think about a 1990-1 Cooper, carb. model. They are simple to maintain and more flexible in the old tuning department than the injection models.
Rust is, of course, the big problem and you are better off going for a really nice one and paying a bit more to get a good bodyshell.
Take an expert with you to look at the important areas for rusting. These include the rear sub-frame and its mountings, sills, boot floor, 'A'-panels, front wings and front panel, etc. Pretty much everywhere, in fact.
However, nice ones can be found. Last year I paid £1200 for a 1990 car with some minor corrosion, which Chris Spennewyn repaired by fitting new 'A'-panels, one new front wing, a new front panel new rear valence and some other minor repairs. The engine had done 108,000 miles, but it just needed a re-bore and pistons and a bit of other engine work which, of course, I do myself (I just hate doing bodywork).
Reckon on a total spend of about £3,000 and you would have a terrific car in super condition if you buy wisely. You can get 1990-1 Coopers for less than £1000, but expect to spend a lot of time and money on restoration.
Go for it, we are all here to help and advise and there must be someone near you who would look at a car for you. I would be happy to if you live in Herts, Beds, or Cambs. (no charge for this!!!).
Rust is, of course, the big problem and you are better off going for a really nice one and paying a bit more to get a good bodyshell.
Take an expert with you to look at the important areas for rusting. These include the rear sub-frame and its mountings, sills, boot floor, 'A'-panels, front wings and front panel, etc. Pretty much everywhere, in fact.
However, nice ones can be found. Last year I paid £1200 for a 1990 car with some minor corrosion, which Chris Spennewyn repaired by fitting new 'A'-panels, one new front wing, a new front panel new rear valence and some other minor repairs. The engine had done 108,000 miles, but it just needed a re-bore and pistons and a bit of other engine work which, of course, I do myself (I just hate doing bodywork).
Reckon on a total spend of about £3,000 and you would have a terrific car in super condition if you buy wisely. You can get 1990-1 Coopers for less than £1000, but expect to spend a lot of time and money on restoration.
Go for it, we are all here to help and advise and there must be someone near you who would look at a car for you. I would be happy to if you live in Herts, Beds, or Cambs. (no charge for this!!!).
Watch out for RUST. All Panels Available, but You want to get the best you can, so watch out for FILLER as Well.
Mechanically they are simple beyond belief.
I used to be able to do as Head Gasket In about 3 hours ! Including LUNCH.
If I was going for a mini again I'd go for a 1000 CC pre-injection, but post D reg (Front Discs) I'd run it for a while and then start looking for an MG Metro 1275 Engine to give me a nice 75 BHP.
Mechanically they are simple beyond belief.
I used to be able to do as Head Gasket In about 3 hours ! Including LUNCH.
If I was going for a mini again I'd go for a 1000 CC pre-injection, but post D reg (Front Discs) I'd run it for a while and then start looking for an MG Metro 1275 Engine to give me a nice 75 BHP.
Take a good look at the corner panels at the bottom of the windscreen. If they are rotten, there's probably a lot of rotten metal underneath as well. Take it from me, I learnt this the hard way! Open the doors and listen / feel for grinding / crunching from the panels behind.
Other than rust, there's not a lot to go wrong and as has been said before, they're dead easy to work on.
Other than rust, there's not a lot to go wrong and as has been said before, they're dead easy to work on.
So considering a decent cooper is going to be well out of my price bracket, 1000cc post D reg is the best bet?
How easy is a metro engine conversion? And do insurance companies heavily penalise it?
The reasoning behind a mini was:
1) Current car (Astra) stolen and vandalised. Only just useable.
2) Tiny budget, so something cheap to run and insure and easy to work on is a must.
3) Always fancied a mini...
4) Assuming I get something sound in the first place, I should be able to "upgrade" the car on a reasonable budget (interior, exterior, tuning etc) and create a rather nippy little motor.
Anyone know of a cheap, sound, car for sale? (Im in Leighton Buzzard near milton keynes)
How easy is a metro engine conversion? And do insurance companies heavily penalise it?
The reasoning behind a mini was:
1) Current car (Astra) stolen and vandalised. Only just useable.
2) Tiny budget, so something cheap to run and insure and easy to work on is a must.
3) Always fancied a mini...
4) Assuming I get something sound in the first place, I should be able to "upgrade" the car on a reasonable budget (interior, exterior, tuning etc) and create a rather nippy little motor.
Anyone know of a cheap, sound, car for sale? (Im in Leighton Buzzard near milton keynes)
You are not far from me, then, as I'm near Biggleswade (until next week, when I'm supposed to be moving to Earith, Cambs.) and I work in Hitchin.
I'll see what I can unearth. Please email me to let me know how much you can afford to spend, including any work that needs doing, and I'll have a word around. I'd be happy to take a look at any Mini you may find in this area.
Peter
I'll see what I can unearth. Please email me to let me know how much you can afford to spend, including any work that needs doing, and I'll have a word around. I'd be happy to take a look at any Mini you may find in this area.
Peter
Cooperman said:
You are not far from me, then, as I'm near Biggleswade (until next week, when I'm supposed to be moving to Earith, Cambs.) and I work in Hitchin.
I'll see what I can unearth. Please email me to let me know how much you can afford to spend, including any work that needs doing, and I'll have a word around. I'd be happy to take a look at any Mini you may find in this area.
Peter
Much appreciated, YHM
loads on here , here's an example , but loads more
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43123&item=2489791572&rd=1
and this RSP 'S' looks like it may be a bargain
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38708&item=2490035996&rd=1
>> Edited by rougeleo on Monday 20th September 23:47
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43123&item=2489791572&rd=1
and this RSP 'S' looks like it may be a bargain
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38708&item=2490035996&rd=1
>> Edited by rougeleo on Monday 20th September 23:47
rougeleo said:
and this RSP 'S' looks like it may be a bargain
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38708&item=2490035996&rd=1
That could be because it's not an RSP? Doesn't the RSP have the BIG arches and 13" wheels???
miniman said:
That could be because it's not an RSP? Doesn't the RSP have the BIG arches and 13" wheels???
It looks like an RSP to me, the RSP was the first of the new Coopers and came out in 1990, the sportpack cars with the big arches didn't come along until 96.
It was pretty much a mini 30 with a 1275 and a new paintjob, had the same interior trim, wheels and colour coded arches.
Oh, and I want it
RSP s have 12 x 4.5" wheels and standard plastic wheel arches colour coded with the car ie one of the three colours they come in Red , Black or BRGreen .
for more info look here ... <a href="http://www.minidean.btinternet.co.uk/">www.minidean.btinternet.co.uk/</a>
the RSP bible
might bid becuase its an S as well , much rarer only 77 RSP Ss . But have asked seller a question , because it doesn,t have 'S' side stickers so may not be one . Still worth that money and more if not an S
>> Edited by rougeleo on Tuesday 21st September 21:45
>> Edited by rougeleo on Tuesday 21st September 21:50
for more info look here ... <a href="http://www.minidean.btinternet.co.uk/">www.minidean.btinternet.co.uk/</a>
the RSP bible
might bid becuase its an S as well , much rarer only 77 RSP Ss . But have asked seller a question , because it doesn,t have 'S' side stickers so may not be one . Still worth that money and more if not an S
>> Edited by rougeleo on Tuesday 21st September 21:45
>> Edited by rougeleo on Tuesday 21st September 21:50
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