117 replies to this topic

[matt615]

£200? What a cheeky offer!

Stick it on eBay as it is, and you’ll. easily get at least £1500 to £2000 for it.

Or if you want to keep it, get a few more quotes first.

Maybe put some photos up here for peoples opinions?

Edited by matt615, 09 April 2019 - 05:42 PM.

[wile e coyote]

Ill give you £250 sight unseen now ..... the raise of £50 being worth it just for the vision of dropping a brake caliper on your face!!! (sorry that must have smarted more than a bit but gave me a chuckle)  your issue is not all the mechanical fixes  - those are all easy and not sure where you are but if in my neck of the woods you bring the car and parts one w/e and supply the beers and I'd be more than willing to provide the tools and guidance....

Your issue is the structural rot the best advice posted thus far is to put it in for MOT - a rotten front end / door skin etc. can be tarted up for a while until you can afford to sort it properly  a rear valance can be fillered (cue abject horror....but 'tis true) ....

Once done find another reputable garage (folk on here will supply details no doubt if asked for views)  and get another quote.....

 

All of us want pristine cars - but very few have them for sensible money - it's a mini so running repairs an inevitability - you're just a bit behind on yours.......

 

As above unless a total disaster as it sits probably worth the best part of £2k........ just review some sold fleabay listings - i'd suggest starting the eye opener with what MPI engines go for.....

 

My take is if you can't afford the vital (not niceties - the vital ones) repairs at this point - put the car back in dry ! store until you can - it's value is only going to go one way....if you've given up on it then get it to someone with the appetite to rescue it at the least pain to your wallet....

 

 

p.s  - you sir are an absolute genius - how on earth did you manage to get brake shoes to fall out .....???

Edited by wile e coyote, 09 April 2019 - 06:12 PM.

[Icey]

Ill give you £250 sight unseen now

 

You're too late, I already offered £300

Edited by Icey, 09 April 2019 - 06:15 PM.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Post some photos - you'll get far more help.

[paul748]

To the OP...

You said in a few posts that the classic car specialist was a 'decent fella' etc.

Actually, offering you 200 quid is taking the p***

Listen to all the advice given on here, if you are really intent on selling it then be patient and you will get a lot more than that.

[sc-em]

To the OP...

You said in a few posts that the classic car specialist was a 'decent fella' etc.

Actually, offering you 200 quid is taking the p***

Listen to all the advice given on here, if you are really intent on selling it then be patient and you will get a lot more than that.

I have to agree. A reputable and decent chap would never offer such a paltry figure. Don't give him any of your business. Get some more quotes.

Better still, learn how to do it yourself.

Photos..yes!!! I bought mine and although could have bodged, took the plunge and bought a jig so I am not just stripping it.

[Cooperman]

Classic car ownership requires either the ability to do virtually all of the restoration and maintenance work yourself, or sufficient money to pay professionals to do it for you.

 

A classic car needs to be kept in a dry garage when not being used.

 

I know I could not afford my Minis if I couldn't do all of the work myself. 

[nicksapheno]

you would get 600-700 gbp just by selling the AC to someone here in Australia. 

The Jap imports in good condition are also worth in excess of $20k so i wouldnt scrap her.

Edited by nicksapheno, 10 April 2019 - 05:45 AM.

[Pops_Guild]

you would get 600-700 gbp just by selling the AC to someone here in Australia. 

The Jap imports in good condition are also worth in excess of $20k so i wouldnt scrap her.

 

I think the AC parts would get a premium in the US too!

 

I was looking to buy some spares from a chap in the US but he wanted to sell me the entire AC setup. Admittedly it looked to be in great condition but he wanted £1000 for it...I politely declined :)

[paulfoel]

Trouble is it runs but not even sure if its ok to drive to an mot station. I certainly have no intention with dodgy brakes, tyres of going far.

 

I guess by law you're allowed to do so aren't you?

 

When it fails, probably with DANGEROUS fails, will I then be legally allowed to drive it home. 

[DeadSquare]

No, you can't legally drive it home, and legally the MOT station has to impound it until the dangers have either been corrected or the vehicle is collected on a trailer or lorry.

 

PS  You probably can't tow it away on a dolly.

Edited by DeadSquare, 10 April 2019 - 08:53 AM.

[matt615]

You can legally drive to and from a pre booked MOT test without an MOT. You might be committing an offence if driving an unroadworthy vehicle though, depending what is wrong with it.

I do get the impression though that you seem to think it’s worse than it is. All those mechanical problems are pretty standard basic things that need doing occasionally. It shouldn’t cost thousands to fix them, even if you do have to pay a garage.

The bodywork might be a bit rusty and tatty, but not necessarily an MOT failure.

Best thing is post some photos up, so we can advise.

[paulfoel]

Talking about taking the p*ss. I aint happy.... This is the bill from the guy whos given me the quote.

 

£230 + VAT for this. Surely a bit excessive?

 

RECOVER VEHICLE AS REQUESTED REMOVE BATTERY AND CHARGE     CLEAN UP ALL EARTH POINTS AND REPLACE MAIN  BATTERY EARTH, REMOVED PLUGS AND CLEAN   LUBRICATE BORES          REMOVE STARTER, FREE OFF SEIZED DOG GEAR  REFIT STARTER AND BUILD OIL PRERSSURE    RUN ENGINE FOR SHORT TIME        ALTERNATOR / WATER PUMP BEARINGS    FAILED           FREE OFF CLUTCH PEDAL        CARRY OUT INSPECTION FOLLOWING LAY UP    AND REPORT BACK TO CUSTOMER 

 

EDIT: £100 of this is for  RECOVERY apparently. 

Edited by paulfoel, 10 April 2019 - 09:07 PM.

[paulfoel]

Gets worse -  £100 to drop it back!!!!!

Edited by paulfoel, 10 April 2019 - 11:20 AM.

[paulfoel]

OK looks like he saw me coming. Not impressed. At least I wasn't dull enough to accept his stupid offer.

 

As I've said now that I've refused to sell it to him for £200 hes produced a bill for £276. PLUS £100 to bring it back. Knowing full well its stuck there. Initially, I said I'd get it over to him yet hes the one who offered to collect it - of course he didn't mention it'd be £100.

 

Having recently had my other car towed by the AA - I know they only charge £65.

 

I've got a feeling the robbing dog is playing a game with me. Giving me a massive quote for the work so I can't afford it, then trying to buy off me for next to nothing, knowing my car is stuck there. Then hitting me with a large bill.

 

Really disappointed - I thought this guy was ok.

Edited by paulfoel, 10 April 2019 - 09:08 PM.