40 replies to this topic

[JamesMiniMealor]

I can imagine it's a popular question so apologies in advance, but I can't find a good enough answer.

 

How much would restoring my standard Mini MPI cost, including GENUINE parts AND competent labour since I can't do anything myself.

 

By restoration I mean:
 

Entirely new floor including sills etc

Front wings

Scuttle

A pillars

New suspension (springs?)

Good comfy shock absorbers

Engine is excellent but i want it taken apart for cleaning and painting

Complete respray

A few rust bubbles on the doors

12" Minilite alloys in good condition to be restored to perfect

Air con installed

 

They're the essentials. Anything else such as pretty silicone hoses and an RC40 can come later.

 

Thanks!

Edited by JamesMiniMealor, 20 July 2017 - 01:49 PM.

[r3k1355]

Until you get a specialist to get eyes on it and properly asses it no-one can give you a firm answer.

 

Just form that list though, you're talking several thousand pounds so I hope you have a big budget for this.

[ukcooper]

15 to 20k propa job

[JamesMiniMealor]

Yikes. I'd rather buy a premade one

[ukcooper]

like been said depends on what ya find when ya strip it down, if you run out of cash they charge storage while it sits there waiting , never seen a car make money if its been done properly, so what ever ya think double it and add some, 

[jamesmpi]

Send Ben_O a message, I'm sure he'll be able to given you an approximate cost.
You can price up the parts yourself by looking online. But it's the labour rates that'll add the biggest amount to the bill.

[Ben_O]

 But it's the labour rates that'll add the biggest amount to the bill.

Quite right. And of course the VAT is also another big chunk.

 

As has been said, it's not really possible to give a price with any accuracy without seeing the car but you are looking up to and around the 12k mark based on others I have done needing similar work but  places on the mainland seem to charge more than I do so 15k wouldn't be unreasonable.

 

A ready restored car would certainly be cheaper but make sure you get through evidence of the work completed including photographs so that you can tell for sure that EVERYTHING has been addressed and you don't end up with a car that is rusting out again in 2 years time.

At elast if you have your own car done, you can instruct and oversee everything and be sure that you end up with the car you want.

 

Best of luck

 

Ben

[cian]

A good rule of thumb I would advise is whatever you think it will cost double it and whatever time you think it will take triple it then your in the ball park

[Cooperman]

When my Grandson and I did a broadly similar job on his 1997 MPI we took over 160 hours including engine strip and refresh (not a full rebuild), suspension and brakes. This did not include re-painting which added £1500.
The panels, some but not all of which were Heritage ones, cost around £600. Engine and suspension parts were about £350.
If one allows around £50 per hour for labour that all comes to over £10,000 plus paint and materials. There will always be other costs along the way so add a 20% contingency.
I don't know how people can afford classic cars if they can't do most of the work themselves unless they are rich!

[JamesMiniMealor]

So quite cheap when labour isn't a factor?

[wile e coyote]

Sorry to put a further downer on things but unfortuntely - its a mini - the rot will be worse than you think it is and the late mini's seem to have been built from 80's fiat / lancia surplus steel.... they rot like mad when they go (my ex's '96 equinox  was so rotten there was no saving it - may as well have been parked in the sea for a decade.... 90% of it's component's live on though) - so although amounts mentioned above seem dramatic they're in all likelihood wholly realistic. ....

 

Time to get stuck in yourself - minis as far as cars go - even injection ones aren't that complicated - even if you cant handle the welding yourself there's a very considerable saving to be made by doing the prep work yourself , anyone with a bit of care can remove rotten panels- noted you say you can't do it- but you own a mini - time to learn!! Get it looked over by someone expert and experienced - work out whether it's salvageable for your budget - and if it is work out a sequence and schedule of what needs doing when to keep things manageable and the shell straight  - Everything can be brought back - but I suspect this one may not be cost effective to do at this point in time...

 

I hesistate to say this as I've seen perfectly rescuable cars broken (although not lately) -and hate seeing it happen but... an MPI is worth a lot in parts ....I'll leave that thought hanging....

 

If you haven't got the will or funds to do the job - sell on as a project and get yourself a better car - ironically IMHO, for models not yet at the peak of their value  - stress my opinion...cars built '79 to '81 appear to have been built of far superior steel....

 

You could be lucky enough to find a decent shell - they crop up occasionally (don't trust anyone's word - get it checked)....an mpi shell has differences but and older one can be modified to fit..... - again - just saying...... 

Edited by wile e coyote, 20 July 2017 - 05:43 PM.

[JamesMiniMealor]

What a headache. I take it most Mini owners do their own work then

[mab01uk]

Or buy one of these MPi shells and swap your parts over......

 

Part No. AAA360200 = Mk V standard body complete = £7,750 for painted shell please ask

Part No. AAA360210 = Mk V Sports Pack body complete = £7,750 for  painted shell please ask

 

BMH Mini Heritage Bodyshell Prices
(All suggested retail prices include VAT @ 20%)

http://www.bmh-ltd.com/minishell.htm

Edited by mab01uk, 20 July 2017 - 07:29 PM.

[jamesmpi]

What a headache. I take it most Mini owners do their own work then

It all depends on how bad the rot is and how much you can do yourself. If you are prepared to strip the shell and refurb mechanical parts and refit them then that'll save a load of time which intern will save you money. That way the "hard" bit of cutting out rot, welding in new panels and painting can be done by a specialist

[greenmini1275]

If I was you I'd try the mechanical stuff yourself. It'll save a fortune. I don't know much about mechanics but I can strip and rebuild. Its pretty easy when you get advice here, Haynes manual and YouTube videos. It's the welding and painting I have to get someone else to do. Although I'm thinking of giving spraying a go, I need to spray my boot.

Also save yourself a bit of money and sack off the Aircon. Open a window. Alloys refurb is usually £20-40 a wheel.