i want a mini

[jackbroadbent]

i am wanting a project mini for my 1st car i have £300 but i have been lookin i have seen some that i like on ebay and mini magazines ect but im not sure any help

[Cooperman]

A300 project car will need a complete rebuild, including a lot of body panel replacement. As you have said you want a project car, that's what you'll get. You'll also get a lot of help and advice on here.
Try to get someone who really knows Minis to go and look at any you think you've found. Where do you live? That might just find you a Mini-experienced buddy who can take a good look for you.

[Squabbler]

Don't want to start another topic.

Always dreamed about Fiat 500, but today found this LHD Mini in a shed. In Kazakhstan


Owner said that production year is 1993, so as papers. Can't believe they were still on production that time. So can you tell me which year(s) this car was released by these pictures?

The engine is 1.0 carb, probably.





Looks and runs good, nice stereo, plenty rust on skirts. Asking price is about 3500. Worth it or not?

[Cooperman]

Looks a nice car. The original shape Mini was in productoin until year 2000.
That one could well be a 1993, but only information on the VIN Number, engine number, etc, will confirm that.
I guess that's 3500 EUROs, which is, maybe, a little high if it has any rust.
However, Mini prices are going up everywhere. If you could get it for around 3000 EU it would be a good deal assuming it does not need lots of bodywork repairs.
I hope this helps,

Peter

[Squabbler]

Thanks for answering, Peter,

I'll try to deal with the owner. I meant GBPs, but here they has pretty the same valuation here, as euro.
Can i find any detailed information information somewhere, if i get the VIN?

[Squabbler]

Also i'm looking for any tuning shops for original minis, but can't find anything even on ebay. Any tips?

[Cooperman]

There is an organisation called British Motor Heritage who seem to hold all sorts of data for older cars and they may be able to help if you give them the VIN and Engine No. Look up their web site via Google.
There are, of course, lots of tuning shops in the UK with Mini experience. did you just want to buy a kit of parts to make it go better or are you looking for tuning advice?

[Alex]

Squabbler said:

Also i'm looking for any tuning shops for original minis, but can't find anything even on ebay. Any tips?

There are probably more tuning options for the classic Mini than any car ever produced!

http://www.swiftune.com/
http://www.med-engineering.co.uk/
http://www.minisport.com/
http://www.minispares.com/
http://www.jackknight.co.uk/

[Squabbler]

Cooperman said:

There is an organisation called British Motor Heritage who seem to hold all sorts of data for older cars and they may be able to help if you give them the VIN and Engine No. Look up their web site via Google.

Thanks for the tip

Cooperman said:

There are, of course, lots of tuning shops in the UK with Mini experience. did you just want to buy a kit of parts to make it go better or are you looking for tuning advice?

Both of.
Primarily i'm looking for a suspension kit, that can be a compromise between track and everyday use.
Second is the tyres, which are rare in this sizes.
And thirdly - can i make something with the steering? A lot of free play when i turning the wheel.
Also, how hard is 1.0 engine tuning? I mean, to get +10-15% at higher RPM?

[Squabbler]

... And which is the basic thing to go for in minis tuneup?

[Mr Wiggly]

Just get another job and save up enough money to get one with no rust.

Trust me, you will agree with me if you don't.

Mini's and rust.....very frustrating, tragic and heartbreaking.

[Squabbler]

So i carefully examined the car. Spots that i thought was rust, really was just dirt.
Bought it

Now i need to replace all rubber for the suspension, new tyres and gasket kit. Still nothing on ebay.

[Alex]

Squabbler said:

... And which is the basic thing to go for in minis tuneup?

The exhaust manifold is very restrictive, so the first mod is to fit an RC40 manifold and exhaust:

http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=37334

[Plotloss]

Alex said:

Squabbler said:

... And which is the basic thing to go for in minis tuneup?

The exhaust manifold is very restrictive, so the first mod is to fit an RC40 manifold and exhaust:

http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=37334

RC40s are better for bigger displacements arent they?

If its a 998 wouldnt a supersport/superflo manifold be better?

[Neil8p]

The stage 1 kit with the rc40 and the cooper freeflow manifold is perfect on a 998. Does need tuning properly though. I had mine setup on a rolling road and it was huge fun to drive.

[duncancallum]

that car looks like a spi injection cooper

best thing stage 1 kit and if allowed remove the cat.

try minispares.co.uk

[Squabbler]

Thanks for advices!

Looks like the car stayed in a shed for a long while, so almost everything, gaskets, rubber, belts etc., turns out to be replaced. So, can anyone give me the list of all basic things to replace? Thing is i'm not in the same place as the car, but i can order everything for minispares or other shop. It would be a great help!

BTW, i found one rust spot near water tank in the trunk

[Squabbler]

Its a carb car, no doubt

[Miniholic]

duncancallum said:

that car looks like a spi injection cooper

best thing stage 1 kit and if allowed remove the cat.

try minispares.co.uk

SPi's had half leather. Looks like a Racing Green or a Check Mate to me, got the right seats grille and badge. Obviously, there is always the chance that someone may have changed something.

Is it a 998 or 1275cc car?

Either way, a stage 1 kit and ditching the cat (if it has one and you can) is definitely a good start.

[Squabbler]

It's 998 checkmate, there is side stickers on it.