£1000 Vectra SRI daily shed
Discussion
I recently sold my Volvo V60 R Design, nice car, nice engine (5 cylinder of course..mmmm) but didn't do anything else for me, silly low profile tyres (i know spec sensitive), potentially ruinous in all aspects, and just wasn't being used mainly, a depreciating asset costing me money just sat there! - so sold it, got a good price as the used market is still silly, but good for sellers of course.
So, we have been down to a one car family, the BMW E91 is still trooping along, we have managed fine with the one car up to now with abit of juggling, but - I have been tempted to buy a cheap shed/run about, as it is handy when the Mrs is out with the little one and I'm not wanting to sit around for my turn with the car, it's just not practical.
So, with a budget of £1000......and £800 later!
I got me this little red blob! I hate red cars, but 'beggars cant be choosers'!
It starts! it stops! Has 11 months MOT with no advisories, Result!
More excitingly, it came with original OEM Mini Roofbars which I know are worth £150 easily, and are quite sought after - so that quickly solved my weekend mountain bike carrying ability.
The Car
- 143,500 miles (Been a busy little bee...)
- 2009 1.4 Mini 'First' (Poverty spec)
- Few battle scars, which is great as means I don't have to worry about any more damage inflicted.
Family owned since new, previous owner was desperate to get rid, as it was playing up a little (intermittent hesitation at times)...in reality though it drives just fine.
Think it just needs a good service and an Italian tune up, anyway she wanted it going.
She was about to give it away to Philip Schofield at WBAC, surely worth more as a non runner, the offer they gave was pitiful.
It's got good history and been looked after'ish, you would expect some kind of care to get to these dizzying heights for a small engine Mini.
...also, I am all too aware of the 1.4 Prince engine I think this has and it's "potential problems", end of the day, it was £800 and it works for now, so I'm happy.
Steel wheels (+100 shed points). Do love a good honest steel wheel, it came with wheel trims, they were soon frizzbied into the shed, hateful plastic tat!
Sitting on 15" wheels so very very cheap tyres too, (175/65/15) breath of fresh air compared to big low profile (235/45/18) I was use too, that novelty soon wore off.
I think it looks cool, in a utilitarian/purposeful kind of way on the steels, almost a nod to the original poverty spec 1950/60's minis.
Plans
Going to give it a good oil/filter(s) service & an engine flush. It has some silly oil leaks (they all do, in the usual places) Oil filter housing gasket is one I can see, and cam over gasket is the other that's noticeable, so should fix most of the bad ones and keep at least some oil in the engine.
Needs X2 new tyres, far too smooth for my liking, so it's booked in for them soon.
Suspension is a little knocky, again not too fussed here, still handles like a go-kart.
MOT doesn't show anything needed in past few years, but at this age and miles most bits will need refreshing, but again not doing anything unless it really needs it or my honest mechanic tells me too.
Total liberation
So, bit of a drop down from a rather pristine Volvo estate and all its creature comforts and heft and needy nature - but how liberating this is, in having a car that I actually don't care at all about.
No fancy bodywork, no fancy diamond cut alloy wheels, no sleepless nights about where the next eye watering bill may potentially arrive and no worries where to park it or if a pigeon s
ts on it or who parks next to me - and once washed, won't be washed again!
(Practically)
Yeah it's crap on this front, but it's only ever me in any spare/second car usually, the V60 was abit overkill in that respect - I may just keep the rear seats constantly down.
So my first step into shed/bangernomics I suppose and I love it!
If it blows up tomorrow, or in a years time, I ain't got much to loose and not really bothered really...let's see if I can nurse it up to 200,000 miles.
Will try to update as I go if anyone is interested in yet another boring shed thread
So, we have been down to a one car family, the BMW E91 is still trooping along, we have managed fine with the one car up to now with abit of juggling, but - I have been tempted to buy a cheap shed/run about, as it is handy when the Mrs is out with the little one and I'm not wanting to sit around for my turn with the car, it's just not practical.
So, with a budget of £1000......and £800 later!
I got me this little red blob! I hate red cars, but 'beggars cant be choosers'!
It starts! it stops! Has 11 months MOT with no advisories, Result!
More excitingly, it came with original OEM Mini Roofbars which I know are worth £150 easily, and are quite sought after - so that quickly solved my weekend mountain bike carrying ability.
The Car
- 143,500 miles (Been a busy little bee...)
- 2009 1.4 Mini 'First' (Poverty spec)
- Few battle scars, which is great as means I don't have to worry about any more damage inflicted.
Family owned since new, previous owner was desperate to get rid, as it was playing up a little (intermittent hesitation at times)...in reality though it drives just fine.
Think it just needs a good service and an Italian tune up, anyway she wanted it going.
She was about to give it away to Philip Schofield at WBAC, surely worth more as a non runner, the offer they gave was pitiful.
It's got good history and been looked after'ish, you would expect some kind of care to get to these dizzying heights for a small engine Mini.
...also, I am all too aware of the 1.4 Prince engine I think this has and it's "potential problems", end of the day, it was £800 and it works for now, so I'm happy.
Steel wheels (+100 shed points). Do love a good honest steel wheel, it came with wheel trims, they were soon frizzbied into the shed, hateful plastic tat!
Sitting on 15" wheels so very very cheap tyres too, (175/65/15) breath of fresh air compared to big low profile (235/45/18) I was use too, that novelty soon wore off.
I think it looks cool, in a utilitarian/purposeful kind of way on the steels, almost a nod to the original poverty spec 1950/60's minis.
Plans
Going to give it a good oil/filter(s) service & an engine flush. It has some silly oil leaks (they all do, in the usual places) Oil filter housing gasket is one I can see, and cam over gasket is the other that's noticeable, so should fix most of the bad ones and keep at least some oil in the engine.
Needs X2 new tyres, far too smooth for my liking, so it's booked in for them soon.
Suspension is a little knocky, again not too fussed here, still handles like a go-kart.
MOT doesn't show anything needed in past few years, but at this age and miles most bits will need refreshing, but again not doing anything unless it really needs it or my honest mechanic tells me too.
Total liberation
So, bit of a drop down from a rather pristine Volvo estate and all its creature comforts and heft and needy nature - but how liberating this is, in having a car that I actually don't care at all about.
No fancy bodywork, no fancy diamond cut alloy wheels, no sleepless nights about where the next eye watering bill may potentially arrive and no worries where to park it or if a pigeon s
ts on it or who parks next to me - and once washed, won't be washed again!(Practically)
Yeah it's crap on this front, but it's only ever me in any spare/second car usually, the V60 was abit overkill in that respect - I may just keep the rear seats constantly down.
So my first step into shed/bangernomics I suppose and I love it!
If it blows up tomorrow, or in a years time, I ain't got much to loose and not really bothered really...let's see if I can nurse it up to 200,000 miles.
Will try to update as I go if anyone is interested in yet another boring shed thread
Edited by 757 on Wednesday 8th December 19:52
Cambs_Stuart said:
Nice shed! I had no idea they could be had for so little. Interesting first car material.
Think I got lucky in this respect - but looking about and noticeably tidier examples of this model, they aernt too much more than this, with the miles added on.This has a dent in every single panel, been keyed at least once, and has a split grille from a low speed bump with a transit van!
All character building!The Bearded Tit said:
Half the time it's the high-milers that keep going anyway.
Yeah I tend to agree on the high miles theory to an extent, if its got this far, must be a good one - will see how I get on with it, will be watching the oil levels like a hawk, and fixing these leaks will help.Mo28 said:
Followed a similar approach as yourself OP.
Had a 2017 C Class coupe which I sold as it became a garden ornament and wasn't getting much use, banked the cash and got a Yaris shed from a friend who had it sat on his driveway for over a year, only set me back £750. Honestly don't know why I didn't start shedding sooner. Also, the perfect car to learn on how to do a little tinkering on with it being so simple.
Yeah exactly the same mate, total liberation! Should of done it years ago!Had a 2017 C Class coupe which I sold as it became a garden ornament and wasn't getting much use, banked the cash and got a Yaris shed from a friend who had it sat on his driveway for over a year, only set me back £750. Honestly don't know why I didn't start shedding sooner. Also, the perfect car to learn on how to do a little tinkering on with it being so simple.
thebraketester said:
That was my thought too. Looks bizarrely great on steels.
ha!Steels are cool, period! You can keep your low profile pot hole crashers!
Just ordered some new tyres (Tyres on the drive) £80 a pair! Ridiculous!
NSF is a smooooth operator!
Edited by 757 on Saturday 20th November 08:41
X2 new tyres fitted so at least the car is legal now.
Lovely pair of 'Comforser' 175/65/15's - no expense spared
seems to of stopped the aggressive pulling to one side anyway with the new rubber, replaced terribly worn Nexens.
We also had our first EML on the dash appear on the motorway, plugged in and got a few codes - seems to be linking to the O2 sensor, cleared it for now.
Car is running really well otherwise, if it makes a reappearance I will add it to the list.
Hoping to get it in after Xmas for it's oil leaks and a good flush and service, also for this EML if it reappears.
So far so good though
Lovely pair of 'Comforser' 175/65/15's - no expense spared
seems to of stopped the aggressive pulling to one side anyway with the new rubber, replaced terribly worn Nexens.We also had our first EML on the dash appear on the motorway, plugged in and got a few codes - seems to be linking to the O2 sensor, cleared it for now.
Car is running really well otherwise, if it makes a reappearance I will add it to the list.
Hoping to get it in after Xmas for it's oil leaks and a good flush and service, also for this EML if it reappears.
So far so good though
This Mini sadly will be going, as too many niggles thats not worth my time at the moment to fix.
- Oil leaks (which I mentioned)
- EML 02 sensor light. (now has been cleared and not reappeared)
- Very intermittent 'holding back' loosing power - could be related to 02 sensor, but my inclination is the timing chain (might not be)
11 months MOT, but will need some TLC and money spent on it to get it running well - good honest as it comes car just needs some issues addressing.
- Oil leaks (which I mentioned)
- EML 02 sensor light. (now has been cleared and not reappeared)
- Very intermittent 'holding back' loosing power - could be related to 02 sensor, but my inclination is the timing chain (might not be)
11 months MOT, but will need some TLC and money spent on it to get it running well - good honest as it comes car just needs some issues addressing.
Edited by 757 on Thursday 25th November 09:57
Moderator edit: no advertising
bungz said:
Two pug engines you don't want in a high mileage shed.
A DV6 or a prince.
Is it that much faff to get a new chain on and resealed, hell of a shed for 800 quid....
Seems quite an extension job from my research.A DV6 or a prince.
Is it that much faff to get a new chain on and resealed, hell of a shed for 800 quid....
Will keep topping up the oil see how it goes over next few months
Edited by 757 on Thursday 25th November 23:56
Megaflow said:
What I bargain!
I am going to be very disappointed if you fit wheel trims or wash it.
I am going to be very disappointed if you fit wheel trims or wash it.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I actually washed it today and it looks pretty good!
Trims won't be going back on either
It actually drove quite well today.
Edited by 757 on Friday 26th November 00:33
So this morning, quick dash to work, I have done 130 miles so far in the red blob, ran perfect!!!
This car has a Jekyll and Hyde personality I'm sure.
Chucking it around the country lanes it's an absolute hoot to drive full throttle everywhere
Think I need to get into the shed/bangernomics mentality properly, and not worry too much about things...quite a hurdle to get over in your head.
This car has a Jekyll and Hyde personality I'm sure.
Chucking it around the country lanes it's an absolute hoot to drive full throttle everywhere
Think I need to get into the shed/bangernomics mentality properly, and not worry too much about things...quite a hurdle to get over in your head.
Edited by 757 on Friday 26th November 09:59
emmetb said:
It's exactly that. My partner has an Audi TT, she's had it for years. She loves it but she doesn't care for it if you get my drift. It gets serviced but nothing else. Washed maybe twice a year otherwise just driven. My OCD wants to fix the scrapes, the trim damage, the buttons that are missing some finish and so on and she just says.... just drive it. 145K and counting and it never misses a beat. Now I am in that frame of mind with it it's great as you can park anywhere and not worry... people see that tatty TT and actively avoid you on the road... top stuff when driving in London. Shedding is the future
Definitely, it's a funny mindset but one that I am happy to have. Already parked right at the front of the shops, not done that in years, don't think I even locked the car!!!! RazerSauber said:
The good old Prince engine. Good for your local mechanic, anyway. I think these are the only engines that can one-up the N47 for timing chain issues lol. Still, these are fun little cars when working and the flat out driving style might end up doing more good than harm!
Yes, I am quite fond of the N47's aswell, my other car is a leggy 318d E91, cracking motor if you monitor the oil and change it every 8/10k which I have been for years.I think it just needs a good thrashing this Prince engine, it really responds well this it seems to that type of driving, anyway it's booked in for the oil leaks now and will give it a oil and filter while it's in, should keep it little tighter in the oil department, then will just carry on as I am.
JakeT said:
Agree with all of the other commenters. Keep it, and run around in it. Most you can lose now is £800, cheaper than a timing belt job on some newer cars. If it really sts itself, some dodgy type will come and get it for you so they can sell the cat. Very cheap motoring!
Yup I agree mate, and you put it so well, it is very cheap motoring, I think the "Shed God" whatever he/she is, has dealt me a good hand here, and worth cracking on and enjoying it ts itself, some dodgy type will come and get it for you so they can sell the cat. Very cheap motoring!I have decided to chuck timing chain kit on this MINI. It is way overdue at this mileage and the research I'm finding is it maybe be contributing to the 02 sensor playing up due to a stretched chain, tbh I'm surprised it's got this far on it original.
So will stick a Timing chain kit (minimum), found good kit from neoBros, the the sake of a few more hours labour I feel the car is worth it, as its still running for the moment so won't harm it I'm sure.
I have a limit of what to spend on it mind, but as I got it very cheap really considering, this outlay I can get over.
So will stick a Timing chain kit (minimum), found good kit from neoBros, the the sake of a few more hours labour I feel the car is worth it, as its still running for the moment so won't harm it I'm sure.
I have a limit of what to spend on it mind, but as I got it very cheap really considering, this outlay I can get over.
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