5 replies to this topic

[Strak]

Hi all, is looking like the welding on my mini project is going to take a lot more time than I initially thought... if I get a brand new shell for my mini, what's the process for putting it on? How difficult is it?

Cheers, Strak

[Joshwa457]

You don't "put it on" lol. You put everything else onto it.

[Alex_B]

Yeah its a monocoque, all one unit, you have the front and rear subframes, rear holds suspension, front holds engine and suspension, then its the closing panels like bonnet boot and doors, glass, interior, loom, exterior brightwork and lights etc 

If all the components were in good nick ready to bolt onto the new shell I would estimate the average person would take a few long weekends to swap it over after the new shell is painted 

[tiger99]

The longest part will be fitting odds and ends including the brake and fuel lines, wiring loom, glass and fiddly bits of trim, headlining, etc. You can put the front and rear subframes and engine in in a day, if they are still assembled and in good order. However, it is best to spend a lot of time cleaning, overhauling and painting everything while it is off the car. You may want to start with lots of sound insulation in the shell, and reflective heat insulation under the tunnel, before fitting anything else.

But first, it will need to be painted, stonechipped and waxoyled etc, and the more time, effort and expense at that stage, the longer it will last.

It may help to leave the doors, bonnet, boot and seats off until almost everything else is done, to get maximum access to everything.

[Strak]

Thanks all, I had a feeling that the friend who suggested it was underestimating how long it would take and I was right! I think the main areas of damage are the flitch panels (I think that's what they're called), going to do some research on the easiest way to replace them to see which is the best option for me.

 

Cheers,

James

[sonikk4]

Also you need to price up a brand new shell. There are £5750 inc VAT. Now add paint another £3k then when you swop over the components there will be more cost to factor in possibly another £1k.

 

So maybe £10K. 

 

Now worst case scenario for your car, to do the flitches properly the A panels will need to come off and also depending on how far the rust has gone up you may need to remove the scuttle closeouts. If the A posts are good then happy days if not then more work will be involved.

 

If there is rust on the front of the wings and front panel then don't mess about change the lot.

 

Now none of this will come anywhere near £10K somewhere in the £1.5k to £2k tops depending on what panels you use as well, this includes paint.