4 replies to this topic

[neilbardsley]

I'm thinking about getting a mini for the Mrs to use as a daily car instead of our Landie.  I think we have spent more fixing the Landie this year than I would hope to buy a mini for.  We quite like old cars as we have some old german cars but this is wrong forum for discussing them.  However, I like simple cars as they are easy to fix so I'm not scared about having a distributor etc.  We have a place near Crystal Palace so always wander over to the park to see the mini rally each year so like the cars.

 

I had a chat with someone from Paul Higgs in the Midlands and he suggested that mid 80s to mid 90s where the best years.  We don't need something original for concours or with a bolt on turbo.  Just a good soid daily runner.  I guess like any old car rust can be a big problem.  What are the other areas to look at?  I have also been looking on ebay what do you think of this one?

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3cd1daf86e

 

I think I would prefer non sun roof as that is another thing that can go wrong and let water in.

 

Any recommendations?

Edited by neilbardsley, 18 June 2013 - 08:04 AM.

[some1158]

Hello and welcome...

 

This guide may be helpful: http://www.minifinit...rs_guide1_2.pdf

 

The main thing is to check the car very carefully in all the main rust spots, also check that it doesn't have oversills (i.e. non-vented sills stuck over the originals).  The mechanics are generally easy to fix and the body panels are in themselves not expensive, so it depends if you want a project or not.  Sometimes it can be better to get a car needing work then you know that you can do it/have it done properly, rather than buying something pristine and risking that it has been bodged.

 

Late 90s Minis have a tendency to rust particularly badly but others like the MPI engine fitted to those ones.  Equally there are some nice 70s/early 80s Minis out there. 

[neilbardsley]

thanks that is super useful

[cal844]

i have a 998, they are bomb proof

[KernowCooper]

998s are as said a good engine and a good one will serve you well, my best advice is check everywhere for rust that will be your biggest problem, read here where all those serious spots could be. And buy the best you find, the later cars they say were not built as good as the 1980s cars and lots of 90s have a lot of rust issues