Ball park figure for a front end replacement?

[molineux1980]

Morning all!

My 93 Mayfair is getting to the stage now where she is seriously eyeing my empty wallet for some 'cosmetic' work. Basically, the scuttle is a mess, with a taped over hole, and another about to crumble through, with rust bubbling out from under the rubber. The O/S wing is a bit crappy too, with the front panel exhibiting typical bubbling under the headlights too. And the N/S A panel is is need of replacement. Would I be best to replace the whole front end, or replace the panel that really need replacing and have the rest repaired?

I'm not able to to this myself, so any idea's on whay kind of money it'll eat up, including painting? The colour is standard BRG. Any idea's on decent body shops in the West Mids?

Cheers!

[DanGT]

Panels are on the hole not to much money for minis. If the front end is that rusty also get the rest of the car checked out. I have no idea on price. When I got to that stage I got a mig welder and had a go my self. It did tack some time but I have found it useful and saved a lot of money.

Good luck and if you get it done post some pics.

[FWDRacer]

Not quite the West Mids, but give Col's Mini Centre in Feckenham, Worcs a ring (01527 892052). He does the bodywork for my racer when required and his work is excellent and prices very reasonable.

[Skyedriver]

DanGT said:

Panels are on the hole not to much money for minis. If the front end is that rusty also get the rest of the car checked out. I have no idea on price. When I got to that stage I got a mig welder and had a go my self. It did tack some time but I have found it useful and saved a lot of money.

Good luck and if you get it done post some pics.

Dan, loved the puns in there, not sure if they were intended....hole and tack were two I spotted

As regards replacing the front end, as has been commented, the panels are cheap but labour at a decent bodyshop isn't, neither anymore is paint.
Paid over£100 just for the paint and thinners for my last one
There are loads of "backstreet boys" who will charge a lot less some of them are good but get a recommendation before jumping in or you might just end up with a disapointment
Also if its as bad as you say you might just find its a lot worse than you think under the wings, and scuttle, the inner wings where the "eyeballs" are fixed might just be about to fall apart too and then as you work backover.....
Get it to a reliable trustworth expert who will give you advice but not rip you off, if you can find one. Some will change every panel on the car even if its not necessary, others will do the easy ones and bodge over the difficult ones and then a year later you need to remove the good ones to redo the bodge. Are you keeping it or selling it?

[molineux1980]

I'm planning on keeping it, but my budget is not limitless. If its too much I may sell it on...........