19 replies to this topic

[Dingle]

I'm in the process of persuading my better half that there is something Mini shaped missing from our relationship!

Just before I embark on finding one i wondered what the best MK to buy in terms of rust and also which MK had the easiest engine to work on as I'm a bit of a novice. I've had a mini city e which rusted in about 10 minutes and then a 97 rover cooper which was even worse and then engine bay just looked over complicated compared to older mini's.

And I'm not looking for a minter just something to run about in and easy to work on. Any help would be greatly appreicated before I open up my deep pockets and spend some dosh!

[998dave]

I'd got for an early 80's mini as a runaround.

Dave

[Pooky]

70's minis supposedly stand up better to rust due to better quality metal used in manufacture.

[998dave]

70's minis supposedly stand up better to rust due to better quality metal used in manufacture.

True, but they generally run on 10" wheels and drum brakes.

I guess a 1275 GT would be a good option, 70's metal, power, discs, and collectable.

Dave

[minivanman]

My 85 mayfair is brilliant. Its got all the features of the 84 upgrade - 8.4" discs, rear seat belts etc, but no brake servo to get in the way or overcomplicated wiring. Admittedly I have had to do minor repairs to most of the panels on it during the resto, but for a car thats nearly 25 years old, I dont think thats too bad at all.

[Zacherius]

Any is better than none !

Just not a Bini !

[tedmcedd]

DONT GET AN 80's MINI!!!! they are made of tinfoil and have poster paint on them!!!

70's FTW!

[Zacherius]

DONT GET AN 80's MINI!!!! they are made of tinfoil and have poster paint on them!!!

70's FTW!

Can you colour match my poster paint for me so I can touch it up !

[Dingle]

Thanks for all the advice. A 1275GT would be perfect but they are rare and when they do turn up they are either complete sheds or minted and going for silly money. Might have to save a bit more and hope that a medium condition one comes along.

Where's the best place to look, already looking at for sale sections in forums, classic car websites and fleebay! Any other places?

[jammiedodger26]

From everything I've seen/heard from expert mini mechanics, avoid the later cars (90's onwards) because Rover literally just made them using rust!! No metal....just rust!! haha!!! a 12375 GT would be awesome!

Have you also been checking Pistonheads.com? Other mini forums, autotrader, exchange and mart, gumtree!!

Hope you find a good'un soon!!

[Guess-Works.com]

MK3 IMO

[taffy1967]

A 1990/91 Mainstream Cooper would be perfect because it's cheaper than the 1990 RSP Cooper LE (so you won't mind using it and modding it a bit), plus it has an HIF44 carb and electronic ignition, so there's no fiddling about with points. Oh and it's easy to modify and increase the horses.

I've owned mine for 15 years now and it's done over 98,000 miles, but it's still going strong (touch wood).

This will tell you all you need to know: -

http://mainstreamcoo...090109191318318

[Hayley]

Ive never heard anyone say that the 70's is better, i heard that, that was when they had to keep the panels out in the rain?

But i still bought one anyway! Ive had a 73 and now own a 76, my 73 ended up an orange mess, but my 76 although it has had alot of work, it has held up alot better through this winter than my other half's 1990 which had more work done due to rust than my 76, so there must be some truth in it i suppose.

I do like the 70's as they are more affordable than the early mk1s and 2s, they are a little more up to date but still have the ol' quirkiness ( push powered water jets etc.) and generally i have found that the materials (chrome work, upolstery etc) and build quality is better than the rover ones which have plastic and...well PLASTIC!

Yes they do have 10s and drums, but 10s are better and drums can be changed, they are also easier to work on as there is less to them and less to go wrong.

[taffy1967]

Well my first Mini was a 75' Mini 1000 in Tahiti Blue (I inherited it) and that was rusty as hell before it was 10 years of age.

But post 1976 models have rubber mounted subframes and twin stalk switches and controls like most later Minis.

And how can later/1990's Minis be classed as plasticky. I mean they just used the same fittings as the Clubman/1275GT?

[Hayley]

just an opinion never meant to offend

my 76 has a single stalk and is the same as the 73 as far as interior fitment goes, with chrome handles, ashtrays and a nice centre console and a proper wood chrome and leather steering wheel, rover's come with plastic arches they have got a plastic dash rail, handles, indicators, ashtrays and clocks that you can't see through the steering wheel which is made out of strange foamy stuff.

everything is just a little nicer thats all, the indicator stalk even has a chrome end.

Buy the time rover came along there wasn't any money left, they lost money on every mini that left the production line right from the start, British leyland was the start of the budgetting, but rover were at the other end.

As far as rust goes of course some of it is down to its treatment, but i was shocked by the amount of rust a 17 year old car had aquired, considering that my old one past an m.o.t at the age of 34 without any welding.

And even after its restoration its age is showing more so than mine and they were both restored by us and given the same treatment.

I love all minis, and everyone is different, mechanically and aesthetically its all down to personal preference and that's what was asked i believe.

Sorry to rant, good luck with the search!