8 replies to this topic

[Robert]

The saga of TJ continues. I really hope that at some point I will have a car that I can actually drive before she bankrupts me...

I finally took her in to get the rear wheel arches done - one was cheesy and the other one had a hole in it. I went to a bodywork guy that I know a couple of villages away. He was recommended to me when I was shunted in my Zafira (twice) and both times he did a good job. He wasn't too expensive and he has done a reasonable job, I would have liked to have seen a butt weld, but he has done the next best thing. Ground back to good metal and spot welded a plate over the wheelarch. It looks great from outside where everything has been re-painted and undersealed - but the inside leaves a bit to be desired. To be perfectly honest, I reckon I could have done a better job myself - although I am probably over estimating my abilities given that I can't weld! However, I wouldn't have done the wheel nuts up with a windy gun and bu99ered two of them in the process. Flaming Germans with their all-metric toolkits

Still, he did find that both sides needed doing - he said he investigated more closely because he couldn't believe one side was good and the other was so bad. Needless to say, closer investigation with a sanding disc produced a cloud of white...

Trouble was what he said then. Basically, he reckons I'll get one more TÜV (MOT) out of her. Two years and then I might as well throw the car away. He says it is rusting from the inside out, and there is (I quote) no point in restoring a dangerous old thing like that. He pointed out the child seat I have in the car (for the odd occasions that the little guy travels with me) and said there was no way he would take his kids in a death trap like that.

He said don't put any more money into the car because it just isn't worth it. She's just had the engine and gearbox rebuilt

For two pins I'd stick the flaming thing on eBay right away. I really did let my heart rule my head on this one. I should have held out for a better Mini - however, she was exactly what I wanted. A non-sportpack Mpi in BRG.

What to do...

1. Sell her right now with five months TÜV left - and loose a crock of money.
2. Keep her, get the next TÜV and sell her with new TÜV to someone who might want to restore her bodywork and will benefit from the new engine - and loose a crock of money.
3. Keep her, learn to weld myself - try and keep her on the road - and loose a crock of money.
4. Find a better shell with a knackered engine, cut my losses, do an engine transplant, scrap TJs shell - and loose a crock of money.

Ideas, moral support - any suggestions?!?

Edited by Robert, 05 October 2010 - 01:52 PM.

[pikey7]

I vote for 3. Once you learn to weld, the parts are relatively cheap and simple to replace. Take her off the road for a while, and get the shell to a good condition. It'll take more time than money.

[Jacko-lah]

All mini's rust. It's what they do. You can either buy a decent bit of welding kit and learn to weld, bit by bit, hole by hole, or take it off the road and do it in one go.

Oh and that's what mechanics and bodywork people say.

"You should scrap it"

"It's not worth fixing"

What they really mean is, "please don't learn to weld and do it yourself, sell it to me for £12.50, because my mate's looking for one of these and I'm going to screw him out of £4K" .

[danrock101]

All mini's rust. It's what they do. You can either buy a decent bit of welding kit and learn to weld, bit by bit, hole by hole, or take it off the road and do it in one go.

Oh and that's what mechanics and bodywork people say.

"You should scrap it"

"It's not worth fixing"

What they really mean is, "please don't learn to weld and do it yourself, sell it to me for £12.50, because my mate's looking for one of these and I'm going to screw him out of £4K" .

+1

[mike_mini_mad]

Id say 3, or get a donor shell!

[daveeeeee]

If you're thinking of doing it yourself beware of the time it will take, but it will be worth it in the end! If you keep it in the family at least by the time your lil one grows up he'll have a wicked first car haha

[Robert]

Thanks everyone! Feeling a bit better about her this morning.

It just doesn't make sense to get rid of her having just had the engine done - and I don't think the bodywork is that bad. Certainly no worse than many other MPi's that I have seen.

As for being a deathtrap - well, people have driven Mini's for over 50 years and I wouldn't mind betting that very few of them have met their end in fiery crashes.

Looks like a welding course might be on the cards! I've just got to find one...

[GregH]

I wouldnt bother with a welding course.

If you get a reasonable MIG welder and a welding book they are very simple to use.

It helps if you know someone that welds but its more than possible to grab some scrap metal and theach yourself.

Go for 3. If you love the car you may as well keep it, do it properly and have it for another 20 years.
If you buy another one it could be just as worse as this one.

GregH

[Nial]

I wouldnt bother with a welding course.

If you get a reasonable MIG welder and a welding book they are very simple to use.

It helps if you know someone that welds but its more than possible to grab some scrap metal and theach yourself.

If you don't know someone who can have a look at what you're doing the welding course
might be a good idea, it's important to get enough penetration etc for a safe job.

It's also worth spending a bit more for a decent MIG machine that can weld down
to thinner car bodywork controllably.


Nial