12 replies to this topic

[Miniature]

I decided to make a thread about my mini and everything I do with it and to it. And as I only got it 6 days ago now is a great time to start it.

So I went up to Leicester on Sunday (03/10/10) and brought myself a 1275cc Metallic Red 1993 Mini Mayfair - which I have named Lily. When I went to view her she was in spectacular condition, and had only done 49,895 miles. The body was solid, and the only rust to be found was two 5p sized spots on the corner of the front passenger and drivers windows (which I can sort out fairly easily). There are odd faint scratches here and there but nothing that has broken through the paint or is very noticeable.

I drove her back to Milton Keynes and she sounded lovely. It was a VERY rainey day so I had to take it steady, but there wasnt a single hiccup the whole way back. She drives like a dream. I have driven her to and from work for the week now, and the smile on my face is as big as it was the first day still. She has been very reliable, and has started every morning regardless of the cold weather we have been having. I am very proud of her.

I am looking forward to giving her a good clean and polish tomorrow. Fingers crossed the weather man guessed correctly for the weather this weekend, as Saturday is meant to be an alright day.

I have put some pics below of my car as I have brought it. I will probably add some more after I have cleaned her up nicely tomorrow.

http://i1191.photobu...rianMini008.jpg

http://i1191.photobu...rianMini002.jpg

http://i1191.photobu...minipics011.jpg

http://i1191.photobu...minipics019.jpg

[miniman retford]

Lily looks very nice

[MiniAlex]

Nice Mini you have

[Miniature]

Ok, so I thought I should update this as it has been a while. My little Lily has been behaving herself nicely just as happy with her as the day I first drove her home.

I have finally started tweaking little things and re-newing some rusty bits - although there will always be plenty left to do im sure. So far I have replaced the fuse box, as that was getting pretty rusty. I have also replaced the wiper motor park switch along with some of the cables, as the windscreen wipers were playing up at times and this looked to be the cause (one of the connectors had melted). I have also replaced the rotor arm and dizzy cap as she was a little stuttery some times. I got a puncture in one of the tyres too, so have put the spare wheel on for the time being - noticed that the tyre has been put on the spare wheel the wrong way round. The arrows on the tyre where poiting backwards. Will have to get that swapped round once I get a chance.

I have also brought a new seal for the boot to hopefully stop some of the damp patches under the spare wheel, and some new engine steady bushes to stop the engine wobbling around so much. But I havent had a chance to fit these yet I will get round to it soon.

She also failed her first MOT with me but on nothing too bad considering her age. The tyre was brought up (being on backwards) but I am aware of this and getting it sorted out imminently. I also need to do a bit of welding (when I say "I", I mean I will pay someone to do it as I have no clue, lol) where the seat belt anchors attach to the floor, as it has got a little rusty. And my parking brake needs tightening. So, considering this was my first MOT for her I dont think that was too bad. Nothing that cant be fixed easily. So she will be back up and running in a few days if all goes well.

So hopefully by the time I get round to updating this again I will have fixed the above issues, and fitted my boot seal and engine steady bushes. I am also planning on getting a cigarette lighter fitted as it is getting a little anoying not being able to charge my satnav. So that should be fitted by my next update too. Lets hope it all goes to plan.

[MiniMonty]

Looks really smart - great colour !

[Miniature]

Got my MOT issues sorted. I found myself a classic car specialist near my area and took her there to get her fixed up. They have welded strengthening plates on my outer lower sills, replaced the reer wheel cylinder and replaced the rear brake shoes - and then re-did my MOT (which she has now passed). They also emptied my wallet by charging me £500 for parts and 9 hours labour. If only I had spotted these issues early enough to do some of these things myself rather than paying so much for labour. But at least I have the reassurance that they have done it to a high quality I saw a few of their other classic cars that they were restoring at the time, they were absolutely beautifull!

The garage was on a farm so she was filthy once they were done working on her. So as a treat I gave her a proper clean and polish today. She is looking stunning now, really brings out the colour in the paint. It is a shame she has a spare wheel on at the momeny, brings the look down a little bit, but at least it will only be temporary. I have put some before and after pics below so you can see the difference it made...

BEFORE PICS (whilst she was still dirty):




A COUPLE OF CLEANING PICS (half way through):




THE FINAL (shiney clean) PICS:




Miniature

[luigi86]

so your based in mk?

Why not come to the tyred and exhausted mini club!
http://www.tyredandexhausted.co.uk/

also if you need any work done we have a mini specialist just outside mk.

lovely looking car you have there! hopefully see you around mk soon

[bcjames]

Im sure I recognise your Mini from somewhere. Anyway, looks good Can't believe it left the restorers that mucky though!

[1984mini25]

Can you come and clean mine? [attachment=110334:prettyplease.gif]

[mini_mad69]

Can I put my project thread in mini chat?

Edited by mini_mad69, 03 April 2011 - 04:39 PM.

[mk1leg]

Hi..nice mini and I'm thinking Nightfire red................but could be wrong..............

[998dave]

Looks like Nightfire Red to me too.

We have a project forum on here, so you could diary your mini in there, I know it's not neccessarily a project, but I tend to think all mini's are ongoing projects as their owners make changes, and then develop different tastes so make further updates and improvements.

If you want I'll move this thread down there, just PM me a note.

Dave

[998dave]

noticed that the tyre has been put on the spare wheel the wrong way round. The arrows on the tyre where poiting backwards. Will have to get that swapped round once I get a chance.

Would have been the right way round if you'd put it on the other side!