3 replies to this topic

[Beanie_again]

Hi - had a look around the forum, and looks like you have a nice community here 

 

Looking to get my son a Mini for his first car, he will be the third generation to have one after my dad had a black and white Cooper in the 70's (he regrets selling it!):

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I had a 1983 Mini Mayfair in the early 90's that I stripped, replaced rotten panels, resprayed, and rebuilt (sorry, best pictures I could find of it!):

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I rolled it four weeks after passing my test, so had to do it all again - but fitted the wide Revolution alloys so it didn't happen again, and I had four years of happy motoring in the Mini (and got the nickname "Beanie" for obvious reasons!).

 

I'm now looking for a late classic Mini Cooper for my son who is 18.  My question is that Sports Pack models seem to be more desirable (expensive!) than regular Coopers, is it sacrilege to take a clean late model Cooper and make it look like a Sports Pack - would it affect its resale value when he sells it in the future?

 

I figure I could get a respectable low mileage 1999 Cooper, fit the sports pack arches (as recommended on other posts), get them sprayed, and fit some 13" wheels - for about £5,500.  Decent condition "official" sports pack cars seem to start around £7,000 and go up to £20,000?

 

Aside from the fancy black / silver interior and higher gearing, am I missing something?

 

I must remember I am buying this car for my son, not for me...this is my current toy (just awaiting respray):

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Thanks in advance!

 

Paul

[cal844]

My advice? Buy a pre injection car, a lot less to go wrong!

[Boycie]

Welcome Beanie!
The brilliant thing about Minis is the fact you can take any model you like and shape it into the car you really want (as you know!)
I'd buy the best car you can find with a good solid shell. Then build it up into a Sportspack model as you see fit :)

[Beanie_again]

Thanks for your advice - I was torn between the "build" or "buy" route, and in the end I decided it was easier to buy because I don't have the time to do a full strip down and rebuild like I did on my Mini.

 

Looked at a few, but ended up getting this one:

• 2000 Mini Cooper Sport with 69,500 miles
• SMMC built 1380 engine with forged Pistons, gas flowed head, lightened and balanced fly wheel
• Uprated high pressure fuel pump and larger throttle body
• Spax suspension with hi lows
• AP Racing 4 pot calipers
• Uprated power output clutch
• Full uprated exhaust system

Anyone on here recognise this car?

 

Couple of little things I want to take care of before I hand the keys over to my son, but it feels pretty damn quick and solid to me! 

 

Anyone going to the Mini Action Day at Castle Combe on Saturday?

 

Cheers

 

Paul