I am conidsdering to buy a classic mini...

[vrooom]

(not BMW mini)
I driven one and loved it!

but i dont know any thing about it.

So there is couple of question.

What is the thing do you look out for when buying a mini? I know u must look out for subframe but what is it to look out for?

IUs there website link about mini buying guide ?

and are they reilable apart from little niggles?

Can u get say 50-90bhp out of 1.0?

What it like to live with one ?

I saw one for £495 it in good conition apart from rust around the front windows. 78,00 miles, 1.0 L alloy wheels.

THanks alot

ps sorry if my english doesnt make sense, as i just came home from pub, to dark room with black keyboard

[ninemill]

The main thing to check for when buying old min's is rust - it's usually everywhere, especially if it's for sale for <£500. The list of places to check is almost endless, but some places are more important than others. I can't really comment on what to look for on the r.subframe cos when I bought mine I checked it and still missed enough corrosion for it to fail it's MOT!! However, I found the job of replacing it a lot easier than usual horror stories would suggest.

[minimax]

according to memory, the max reliably attainable from a 998cc is approx 95 BHP at fly wheel.... this costs loads tho - I would say with a decent head, high lift roller rockers, stage one kit and decent inlet manifold + rolling roaded you might see 75 BHP at the flywheel... better to buy a 1275cc I reckon - you can definitely get runners for <£500 and 75 BHP is easy.

[plotloss]

Yep subframes, pricey but you can get them and fairly cheaply.

I would avoid anything with a lot of rust around the screen as its a pain to fix, but it all depends on how deep it is.

Rust will be prevalent on most older Minis, A panels, Doors, front panel, window surrounds nowhere is safe really!

I would suggest buying a couple of the Mini specialist magazines and looking in the classifieds there as you are probably going to get a better car from an 'enthusiast'.

Matt.

[Paul V]

Check the inner and outer sills, take the liner out of the rear bins and reach down inside to check for rust, look inside the rear wheel arch where the front of the subframe mounts. Also check floor pans in the front and rear foot wells, the boot floor, try to look at the floor around the petrol tank. The cheapest way to power has to be a 1275 engine, a simple stage one kit and a good tune should easily obtain 80bhp from a 1275.

Doors can be replaced easily as can boot and bonnet, anywhere else is welded to the car so makes repairs harder.

I picked up a reasonable 1000cc with modified head, carb etc for £375, the sills and front had been recently replaced but the doors need doing as do the A panels, so £500 should see you with a reasonably solid car.

Ones to avoid are E reg cars as they were made from a different grade metal and seem to rust more.

[pdV6]

One way to spot a seriously dodgy subframe on a Mini is to drive along behind it on a straight road.

If it looks like the car is 'crabbing' (i.e. driving along slightly sideways) run a mile!

[Paul V]

Lots of Mini's crab, it's one of their design features