25 replies to this topic

[mini danny]

hiya im 16 and 17 in may and looking to get a mini in the next month. as im no mini expert yet what should i look for when buying a mini so i dont buy a lemon.
im looking for a mayfair around the 1988 as that the cheapest for me to insure for now many thanks dan

Edited by mini danny, 07 February 2010 - 10:26 AM.

[myredmini]

Hi, im 16 and restoring an austin mini chelsea, im 17 in october and trying to get it ready for then. Whats your budget and what work are you willing to do on the car ?

Danny.

[bmcecosse]

RUST! That's the killer - mechanical condition is not important - but bodyshell condition is EVERYTHING. Don't buy anything with less than 10 months MOT! Probably best to buy from someone on here - but only if they have MANY posts against their name!

[mini danny]

hiya thanks ive got 2000 to spend on a mini i know about making sure the sub frames and under head light door floor ect but not sure if there any thing else i should look for and have you got any pictures of the mini your restoring many thanks dan

[lrostoke]

just look everywhere for rust, they rust all over.

[taffy1967]

They rust from the front to the rear and from the bottom to the top. Oh and usually from the inside out. So use a magnet to ensure those body panels consist of steel and not filler, cardboard, newspaper or any other carp that will rear it's ugly head soon after and bite you on the bum come MOT time.

There's a buying guide FAQ here somewhere.

[bmcecosse]

Ideal if you can get one that has been rebuilt into a new bodyshell!

[taffy1967]

Or owned by a little old lady all it's life, been garaged and only taken out on dry days for a quick trip to the shops.

Like this beauty I spotted last Summer in St Davids, Pembroke, West Wales that this lucky so and so bought locally from the aforementioned little old lady: -

Edited by taffy1967, 07 February 2010 - 01:49 PM.

[myredmini]

here's some pictures, i found hidden rust so becareful...

[attachment=95023:P091227008.jpg]


wont let me upload any more says " upload failed. the file was larger than the available space" :S dont know how to fix that.

Danny.

[bmcecosse]

You may want to consider this one ! http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item5883934592

It's not perfect by any means - so don't pay the asking price!!

Edited by bmcecosse, 07 February 2010 - 02:28 PM.

[taffy1967]

Mine went there, plus the top of the wings is another rot hot spot due to damp muck getting held against the underside due to the air vent trunking.

This is my 1990 Mini Cooper when it got the rot chopped out back in 2002: -







Still looking okay now, but I need a good kicking to get me to fully Waxoyl it so I don't have to go through all that again any time soon: -

Edited by taffy1967, 07 February 2010 - 02:24 PM.

[taffy1967]

You may want to consider this one ! http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item5883934592

Looks nice, but why don't they tell us the mileage?

[bmcecosse]

The little old lady fitted a stage 1 kit and a stainless exhaust! In fairness - doesn't say 'little' or 'old' - or how many non-lady owners it's had! The mileage really doesn't matter!

Edited by bmcecosse, 07 February 2010 - 02:36 PM.

[mini danny]

ok thanks so the main thing is rust. ill keep an eye out.
i was hoping to get 1 with only 1 lad owner hopefully.
if you know of anyone with one for sale just send me a message many thanks dan

[bmcecosse]

Of course if you fancy a couple of evenings work, and NO rust worries - http://cgi.ebay.co.u...#ht_3066wt_1026