16 replies to this topic

[invisible_kid]

im not sure if this is correct section bt need some advice on my mini. i took it to get checked over and gt my 1st stage of repairs needed back. i just want to know if there is any basic stuff i could easily do myself (baring in mind im a total novice) and if it is fair price. thanks for any help guys. here is list:

1) Fit top arm bush kit to nearside front - £192 plus VAT

2) Fit offside front CV boot kit, drive shaft seal and both missing inner pot joint clips - £80 plus VAT

3) Fit gear change oil seal - £20 plus VAT

4) Brake pipes insecure underside of car, centre exhaust mount broken - £40 plus VAT

5) Check out any bare or cut off wires under engine bay and tape off. Secure battery cable underside - £40 plus VAT

Also, check out front subframe movement, check all nuts and bolts. Report Condition.

Price for LCB, cat link pipe and rear maniflow side exist single box exhaust, £190 plus VAT.
(System) Fitting - £140 plus VAT

i dnt even know what most of it means so even a basic run down would be very helpful :)

[bmcecosse]

Sounds VERY expensive to me....... Get a Manual and some tools -and get on with it yourself. The top arm bush kit could be a bit difficult- who says you need this ??

[matt615]

A bit on the expensive side. they are all fairly easy DIY jobs if you want to save the money and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

Edited by matt615, 06 February 2012 - 09:58 PM.

[invisible_kid]

My only trouble is I wouldn't know wer to start since my motor knowledge is crappy to say least. I do want to get stuck in so to speak just want to make sure I do it correct.

[wile e coyote]

Bloody hell!! "a bit expensive" a bit of an understatement ... do it yourself - first stop - get a Haynes. For those costs you can do it - knowing it's been done properly and get immense satisfaction from it - so roughly speaking- assuming you've no tools, rough estimate of parts, tools needed - and you get to keep lovely shiny tools for next time...,

1. Top arm "bush" replacement - parts about £15 quid for the kit, - right fiddle to do admittedly and you'd need a compression tool and a small child - or someone with small hands but reasonably easy job - so, kit, suspension compression tool, trolley jack & axle stands, selection of reasonable spanners / pliers / plasters etc and that haynes manual - change out of £100 done in an afternoon

2. Pricewise - not too unreasonable - but again easy diy job, parts <£15, scissor type ball joint splitter, lump hammer, socket set & torque wrench - ok may be pushing £80 here, but another afternoon job

3. All mini's leak from the rode change selector - ignore it or get a repair kit for about £7

4. Get underneath & secure using clips / tabs that are hopefully still there - probable cost nothing, centre exhaust mount, five mins & less than a fiver...

5. Don't let anyone hack any "loose" wiring off - just use some black tape to secure - cost 50p, battery cable should fit in dedicated slot .. push it back in - cost £0

- Front subframe movement - probably bushes - replace the lot cost about £30 - £40 quid

- Cost for supplying LCB, link pipe & back box is not too outrageous (just buy a decent stage 1 kit - which is I think probably what you're being quote for) - fitting cost is simply extracting the urine - unless it includes properly tuning the car up afterwards

[invisible_kid]

How I wish I could say sounds straight forward lol only thing I hav done to my car is change the bulbs in my headlight lol

[mini-luke]

The best way to learn how to to something is to do it in my opinion.

[tiger99]

For the front subframe, fit solid mounts and improve the handling, rather than fit new rubbers, which don't last very long anyway.

But I totally agree with others, get a manual and some tools and learn to do it yourself. Most of the tools will last a lifetime and you will get lots of value from them.

You may find that your local library also has some good books on car maintenance and basic engineering skills to help get you started.

I always think that it is worth learning abouit stuff like this, because even if you don't always do the maintenance yourself, it puts you in a better position to avoid getting ripped off by unscrupulous garages.

[Dan]

Bearing mind that a reasonable garage will charge anything between £50 to £90 per hour for labour, most of those would be OK prices if it weren't for the fact that a lot of it will be done at the same time. The price for the top arm bearings (they don't use bushes) is very high, it shouldn't take a qualified mechanic in a properly equipped garage 2 or 3 hours to be doing that. 1 hour would be enough, unless they don't have a compressor tool they can use without taking the bonnet off. When you see they have quoted to essentially completely strip and reassemble the whole driveshaft on the other side in less than half the time you have to be suspicious. In all honesty this looks to me like it's been priced to go away.

[wile e coyote]

All that really is easy - get some tools (car boot sales are a happy hunting ground for imperial spanners / sockets- and you can always find a set of axle stand for a couple of quid) aside that generic stuff Halfords / Machine mart are handy - reasonable quality stuff too. The cone spring compressor is the only special mini tool you'd need. Get a Haynes and get reading - treat each job as seperate - that way it remains mentally manageable. May sound daunting but a mini isn't the most complex beastie, everything is solid and unlikely to break from a little ham fistedness. Youv'e unlimited free help on here - from assembling your shopping list to how to fit the bits. It's a mini - it'll need doing again at some point so either take the hit on your wallet to get someone else to do it or , invest in some kit & parts - yes it'll all go pearshaped at some point - even the most seasoned can and do make mistakes - just get stuck in - once over the initial fear you'll realise you can do almost anything..your time costs nothing money saved menas more to play with...

[invisible_kid]

Looks like I will b busy reading up then. I get what ur all saying n thanks for honest opinions. In case anyone was intrested it was Dorchester mini centre that I went too. Heard they wer quite good too.

Edited by invisible_kid, 06 February 2012 - 10:50 PM.

[invisible_kid]

My list was longer bt that was quote for first part so was intended to be done at same time. I have a sump guard which heard is a pain to remove and I know I need my doors fixed cause they are out of alignment. Also my boot doesn't sit right and is few rust patches need sorting. My mini runs well tho n in short time I've had it thought was in decent nick bt New would b lots to do.

[mikeredshaw]

I always appreciate the responses given on this site as they are always very accurate and honest, my advice is do what people have advised - have a go - small job first then as confidence builds......

Another way of learning I found useful was to go on YouTube and search for your current problem and you'll usually find someone has posted a video too which makes the job look so much simpler than a written explanation. Most jobs are well within the average persons capabilities - it's just a case of having a go!

[oliver122]

post in the wanted section for a mini mechanic local to you (paid with tea and biscuits or abit of money to help get some more intrest ), who would come and help you do the job and teach you abit at the same time ;)

Edited by oliver122, 08 February 2012 - 07:46 PM.

[invisible_kid]

Thanks a lot for responses decided gonna join club too. Add in wanted section is good idea never thought of that. Ordered my 1st wire brush too lol