22 replies to this topic

[harrythehat]

Bodywork pricing can be so different from one workshop to the next

almost impossible to quote prices, you can only go by what that man quoted you and if he did, once stripped down it ends up generally not what you thought and a lot more besides.

 

parts are not the expense its the labour, a couple of jobs am currently doing IF I was doing for anyone else. would charge

door skins app 80  each removal and replacement labour £200

complete cills app 60 per side labour 300

[Ethel]

The car's only half the question. If it's something you'd enjoy and you have the patience and commitment a Mini makes an ideal first restoration project.

It would probably be cheaper to sell your car and buy another that's been restored than pay someone to do it for you.. You'll be about as sure about the standard of work if you paid someone to restore yours and absolutely sure of the cost from the outset.

[KTS]

..as an indication of what kind of money you're looking at for someone else to do the work, have a look at the thread below.

 

http://www.theminifo...ts-play-a-game/

[Spider]

I don't want to discourage your proposed project, but I'll just add some words of caution and things to think long & hard about before starting this.

 

Sorry for the general nature of this post as well, but I've seen this occur 100 times over.

 

I respect your being up front about your skills and experience as well.

 

My words of caution here are that I have seen loads of projects over the years like what you are contemplating getting well started and some parts getting towards an assembly stage when it becomes overwhelming and then either sits and rots or they get sold off after sitting for a few years after the project has stalled.

 

What ever time frame you think it will take, multiply that by about 3 to 5 and realistically, that would be 3 to 5 years, with some even going on for up to 10. I've been at this a long time and have a well kitted workshop, but even then, it still takes me around 12 - 18 months to do a Mini and I'm semi retired. Mokes are much better in this regards as there's no glass, no doors to assemble & hang, no trim etc, yet a total restoration / build (for touring) takes around 4 months.

 

There'll be many joys along the way, but also many set backs to overcome, more so mentally and don't underestimate this.

 

Bat suggested early on taking it back to a shell and then working your way forward from that. I whole heartedly agree with this approach as otherwise, around the 3/4 mark, you'll be disappointed that you didn't.

 

Given your limited experience, rather than start off by taking on a whole car restoration first up, from my own observations and experience, I will suggest just taking on smaller projects first, it will build your skill level, the tools you need as well as your own confidence levels too, which will give you a better ability to overcome set backs. This will also allow you to build up your own personal list of the suppliers you want to deal with and also through some of them, other contacts of a quality that meets your acceptance.

[A362 TTU]

I was in a fairly similar situation when I started my project....

Thanks for taking the time to reply & for the encouraging words Hedgey.

 

Thanks for the bodywork info from Harrythehat and KTS too.

 

 

The car's only half the question. If it's something you'd enjoy and you have the patience and commitment a Mini makes an ideal first restoration project.

It would probably be cheaper to sell your car and buy another that's been restored than pay someone to do it for you.. You'll be about as sure about the standard of work if you paid someone to restore yours and absolutely sure of the cost from the outset.

 

Thanks Ethel - the sensibilities of just buying a car have crossed my mind... but a different car wouldn't be my mini which I am now irrationally attached to. If i'm going to do this I want to do it with my car, even if I don't do the bodywork - I want to do everything else so that I know it inside and out and can look after it properly for years to come. 

 

 

 

I don't want to discourage your proposed project, but I'll just add some words of caution and things to think long & hard about before starting this....

 

Don't feel bad about providing a bit of perspective here! I am definitely worried about not having the skills and sticking power to see this through. I probably can't do much harm here other than to my own wallet and time, whilst I would be taking apart a mini which could probably be made to run and pass an MOT again for sub £500, I wouldnt want to run it in the part-rusty condition and I wouldnt want to sell it to someone who would also likely just run it in to the ground. 

 

This car is going to end up as a project for someone eventually, may as well be me :).

 

As for your last paragraph, what kind of smaller projects are you suggesting? I see where you are coming from, I do have a bit of knowledge but nothing amazing - whilst running it for a year I did a few electrical repairs and installed a 'good' audio setup inc an amplifier. I changed the radiator and a CV joint. Did some work on the rear suspension (new cones IIRC) and a few other bits and pieces on the engine. As I say, nothing major but i'm not completely new to a spanner. 

 

Thanks again all - really appreciate it.

[alex-95]

I definitely agree with Moke spider, I bought my project back in 2010 when I was 14 and had no knowledge of minis at all and with a lot of help from my dad we rebuilt it doing the work ourselves, all the welding, grinding, prep and paint, suspension rebuild. I was hoping it would take 2-3 years, It was finally on the road at the very end of 2016 so only 3-4 years overdue  . Dad knew how to weld and taught me, he had done some painting before to but for things we didn't know I looked on the forum, asked questions or liked in the Haynes manual. It's doable, you just need time and patience.

[Aaron3]

It might also be worth putting up your general location, there could be people in your vicinity with projects/ minis that could show you round, offer advise, show you a thing or two or maybe help get you started. Also Check the regional sections to see if there are any local meets/clubs. Get to know people who have been in your shoes there are also loads of build threads on YouTube which make an interesting watch.

[A362 TTU]

Thanks Alex and good shout Aaron, I see you are Warrington way - not far from me if so. The car is currently in Staffordshire but I am in the north west, Manchester :).