28 replies to this topic

[Shylos]

My Mini has been off the road for several years - firstly because I was let down by somebody sorting out the bodywork and spraying it (which took well over a year... in fact the bulk of two) and then trying to get it ready for MOT. I took it in today, and got the call about an hour ago to say how badly it has failed. In his word "a major restoration job."

 

This is a car I have spent a lot on, and not driven properly for ages, and I can't afford to keep ploughing money into it. But I have had it for 10 years, and it seems such a waste to give up now...

 

I appreciate this is rather self-indulgent, especially as I haven't been on the forum for quite a while (to be honest, I have avoided it - it has been too difficult even seeing other Minis on the road when mine has been off for so long, let alone seeing people doing wonderful things with theirs!) but already family and friends are giving me the "maybe it is time to say a fond farewell..." "can you really keep going with this?..." and I figured if anywhere would have the 'Mini spirit' of battling on through problems, it would be here!

 

I find out exactly what's wrong when I pick it up later, but I know both subframes need doing, and there is a lot of welding/structural work. I know to a lot of people that would be a walk in the park, but unfortunately I have literally no welding experience, and I know a garage is going to charge a fair amount for doing it, which I just don't have. 'A major restoration job' is not what I need after I have spent so much trying to do just that!

 

So, anyone got any spare positivity they can throw my way? How about stories of getting back on the road against the odds or against advice? Anyone worked wonders on a tiny budget? Thanks!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[md9638]

i had the same situation, I'm nearly out the other side now, i took it as an opportunity to learn about all the jobs i was put off with before, now I'm more confident and have a (nearly) finished mini.

 

and my budget was almost non existent.

[lyndseyp27]

I wouldn't give up now - 10 years is a long time to throw away.... im sure there are people on here local to you who have a welder and wish to help out a fellow mini enthusiast...possibly teach you a welding thing or two!

 

Good luck - dont give it up!

[smeg]

when i got mine stripped i have to say my partner said it was too big a task especialy as i had no welding skills no idea what to do with the seized engine  and very little budget 

but having had high quotes for welding i borrowed the scouts mig and got going 

its not pretty but as some on here advised i ground it back and went again so although not pretty its strong 

it depends on what the mot shows but if its drivable its got to be worth a go 

[DomCr250]

Dont give up, maybe get a second opinion on whats needed to get the car through an MOT from somebody in your local mini club or somebody who has a mini who lives close by.  Some MOT testers (even one's that work at specialist mini companies) can lean towards the negative so always get a second opinion.

 

I took years to build my current mini and there are loads of people on this forum that are counting in multiple years on projects ....you clearly have a lot of love for your mini, you just need to share that inspiration with the others around you.

 

Hay the sun is shining today ...bet there a number of parts on your mini that look great in this light!

[the_samkingdon15]

read project trig.. its not mine, but it always motivates me

[ShaunaFTW]

That's a kick in the teeth to be told after you've restored it to be told it needs a 'major restoration' maybe his definition is different from someone elses, let's hope so

[filski]

Positivity,

- Mig welder gasless 2nd hand £35-40 quid

- Angle grinder as cheap as possible £19 quid

- Drill £16 quid

- Some spanners and ratchets and sockets £40

- go to your local scrap yard get some cheap metal

 

and start cracking on 'major resto may not even be a major resto'

 

to some people changin a floor pan could be major and for sum just couple of hours work. Where are you based, give a shout out to people and i am certain there are tons of likeminded people who would offer their bodge services for cuppa tea ;)

 

Filski

[filski]

and to add to that welding is not a rocket science, just make sure you have the safety equipment and dont weld in a tank top :S (i learn the hard way), practice makes perfect! I have done all the welding on mine, its an epic bodge but still holding :)

[Shylos]

That's exactly what I needed to read

 

I haven't got the MOT report yet - hopefully once I know the full situation I will be better placed to see if it is something I could possibly embark on, and start seeing if there is anybody nearby that would possibly help with bits.

 

I really don't want to give up at this point, but least I am at 50/50 rather than the "this is a disaster" that I was this morning! Oh, and I am in Essex

[Shylos]

Dont give up, maybe get a second opinion on whats needed to get the car through an MOT from somebody in your local mini club or somebody who has a mini who lives close by.  Some MOT testers (even one's that work at specialist mini companies) can lean towards the negative so always get a second opinion.

 

I took years to build my current mini and there are loads of people on this forum that are counting in multiple years on projects ....you clearly have a lot of love for your mini, you just need to share that inspiration with the others around you.

 

Hay the sun is shining today ...bet there a number of parts on your mini that look great in this light!

 

It was running a little rough and I asked the MOT guy if he could check the mixture and timings. He did say "well, I have got it running well, at least!"

 

read project trig.. its not mine, but it always motivates me

 

I'll check it out, thanks!

[666junky]

have you got any photos of the work that needs doing?

 

There are quite a few people who restore minis in the area- You're best going onto the essex mini forum and putting a shout out on there, plently of helpful people and we quite often have mini days helping eachother get work done on our mins before an evening drive together :)

[filski]

Pop down to Essex mini club mate there are tons of people that can do work for you! some may ask for money some are really nice and do bits for free within reason ;) Alternatively get yourself some bits and do it yourself and guys down the club will certainly show you how it is done!

[Merryck]

As filski said above, welding isn't rocket science!

 

I've always been a bit scared of trying it out myself, but in the past two weeks I've decided to give it a go. I've had about 6 hours worth of practise (on the front end I just cut off no less!) and I'm feeling like I'm almost ready to do the work needed on my car.

 

My build thread is The Red Hot, my welding attempts are in there.

 

You're clearly not ready to give up on it, otherwise you wouldn't have come on here, you'd have gone to eBay. It can be hard to make yourself feel positive about a project, particularly if you've not got the money/time!

 

I've been reading through a few project threads myself and some of them can be really demoralising. Particularly the ones that require a lot of bodywork and you don't feel like you have the skills, and you see these guys doing all this amazing welding etc.

 

It's made me feel quite down about my project, but today I made a list of things I'd need to buy for it and I couldn't get past about 8, which is good, and they're all interior, which is REALLY good!

 

It's all about finding the positives I guess.

[Shylos]

Thanks for the encouragement, all :) I have wanted to go down to Essex Mini Club for ages - was waiting until I had a Mini to drive in, but maybe sooner is better than later!

 

Right, I have the refusal certificate...

 

001 Nearside Front position lamp not working

002 Offiside Front position lamp not working

003 Rear fog lamp missing

004 Nearside front (shock absorber mouting/inner wing) Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

005 Offside front (shock absorber mouting/inner wing) Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

006 Offside rear (floor sill) Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

007 Offside front (floor sill) Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

008 Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play

009 Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play

010 Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically

011 Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

 

Of all that, it is subframe mountings and inner wings that looks the major problem. The mechanic (who I know through a friend and who does a lot of classics) was really positive about the car, but just said it will cost a fortune to take somewhere to get done (he said he'd quote around £3k+ at a push) but if you know what you are doing would cost about £1k and the end value of the car would be £6k+ (although car value doesn't really mean much to me as I wouldn't want it done to sell)

 

The main point he made was, if I wasn't taking somewhere, I would need to learn how to weld and do it properly, or know somebody that does. That it would need to be stripped completely to do properly, new floorpans and sills etc.

 

So, that's the situation! I know there are many on here that would look at that list and think "easy", but to those of us that can't weld... not so much! I keep it at my office on a farm, where my boss has a workshop with welding gear etc (he works on VW Campers) and he has offered to help. Realistically, would you think this is doable between us? He has welding experience and classic car experience, I... love Minis!

 

Not going to lie, as we were standing there picking the car apart, I felt like I was welling up! But at the end of the day even the mechanic said that apart from the welding it's a great car, engine and bodywork are fine. Frustrating, as after he set up the carb the drive back was the most fun I have had in a car for years...

 

Also, thanks for the input everybody, I genuinely really appreciate it

EDIT: Apologies if this should be in technical now I have put specific problems/issues in the thread

Edited by Shylos, 13 March 2014 - 04:57 PM.