6 replies to this topic

[575m]

Hey guys.

I am a huge car enthusiast with a pretty bizzare collection of cars and i need help from you.

I have just moved to London from Europe and realized that none of my vehicles really fit here, so i decided to go for one car I've always wanted but never had a chance to get: a mini.

Firstly, I found myself a few nice offers of bike-engine powered minis and decided to go with one, but after a short time it occured to me, that it might not be the best fit for a daily-driver. So I decided to go with something more historic or mini enthusiast rallyish. I dont want a collectible, have enough of those, I want something that is just a bit more practical than a rollcage-equipped demon but will attract positive attention at your events and can be used for any kind of auto fun (club runs, historic rally, amateur trackdays)

I know absolutely nothing about the case, so I am looking for your advise here:

What MY would you advise? 70s? 80s? latest production?

What engine would you advise? Are there any must have mods? I am ok with putting a supercharger on, but will it get me into trouble with the insurers?

Basically, my question is which mini would you really want to get to use it as the only car in London without hassle with the insurance and have an opportunity to have fun with it from time to time?

[MaxAndPaddy]

I want to know about your other cars ....dish the dirt

And to your question your budget would be a factor .....theres some great track/road cars about from all era's

[JonnyBMX]

legally any modifications have to be declared to your insurers! if you put a super charger on the car and didnt tell them technically your not insured and they have the right to terminate the insurance... in my eyes its not even worth not telling them about things as if something was to happen... you need to know you are fully insured....

there are so many different kinds of minis out there and it all depends on what you what, and your personall likes etc... a good engine size is the 1275 ( for me anyways) some people like 998s... some like more powerfull 1380s again all depends on you. its best to have a good look around untill you see one you want.

a few places to check over on the car are sills, many people who selll their minis have oversills put on to hide vast amounts of rust underneath! you can usually check the sills by looking at them, oversills will go back further and dont have the normall vent holes that original sills have.

under the headlights where the wings are welded to the front panel is also another prime place for the mini to rust away!

the corners around the front window on the scuttle panel are also another area that can often rust! then there is the doors which rust aswell,,

obviously many minis can rust in different places and above is only a quick guide for what you should really look out for if you dont want to be forking out alot on welding etc in the future... as to what mini to go for... in my opinion its really up to you?

[woodenman23]

Something like this, maybe?

http://www.theminifo...i-racing-flame/

Edited by woodenman23, 16 May 2012 - 03:09 PM.

[575m]

I want to know about your other cars ....dish the dirt

And to your question your budget would be a factor .....theres some great track/road cars about from all era's

I set myself a limit of 5000 pounds at the moment, but i could move up for a good car.

Other cars for example are a '81 dmc-12 and a '98 850i.

legally any modifications have to be declared to your insurers! if you put a super charger on the car and didnt tell them technically your not insured and they have the right to terminate the insurance... in my eyes its not even worth not telling them about things as if something was to happen... you need to know you are fully insured....

there are so many different kinds of minis out there and it all depends on what you what, and your personall likes etc... a good engine size is the 1275 ( for me anyways) some people like 998s... some like more powerfull 1380s again all depends on you. its best to have a good look around untill you see one you want.

a few places to check over on the car are sills, many people who selll their minis have oversills put on to hide vast amounts of rust underneath! you can usually check the sills by looking at them, oversills will go back further and dont have the normall vent holes that original sills have.

under the headlights where the wings are welded to the front panel is also another prime place for the mini to rust away!

the corners around the front window on the scuttle panel are also another area that can often rust! then there is the doors which rust aswell,,

obviously many minis can rust in different places and above is only a quick guide for what you should really look out for if you dont want to be forking out alot on welding etc in the future... as to what mini to go for... in my opinion its really up to you?

Thanks for the input, is there any consistent miniwiki I can study? I am not googling myself because as a porsche enthusiast with history i have learned that you can only get consistent info from several experts on profile messageboards.

Something like this, maybe?

http://www.theminifo...i-racing-flame/

That car would be great if i were looking for a track tool or a project starter. But for the city I am more inclined to get something more flashy, if you know what I mean.

[mini*mad]

Go for a 1998+ cooper sportspack, great for town and look flashy about town
13" alloy wheels, airbag etc.
plenty of them have had roll cages fitted or get a company like mini speed to fit one :)

[575m]

Go for a 1998+ cooper sportspack, great for town and look flashy about town
13" alloy wheels, airbag etc.
plenty of them have had roll cages fitted or get a company like mini speed to fit one :)

Thought about that. Cant understand why there is such a mess in pricing. Most 97+ cooper cars are priced from 4000 to 12000, that seems to be a huge range, cant understand what price is reasonable.