23 replies to this topic

[Scallywag630]

Why is it that people think minis are going to break down? My SPI gets an oil/filter change every 3000miles and has never let me down atall!!

[tom3112]

Why is it that people think minis are going to break down? My SPI gets an oil/filter change every 3000miles and has never let me down atall!!

I agree, my mini didnt use to be used everyday, But when we used her she did 250 miles in one day and has never let us down. She's now my daily drive and is totally fine. I do oil changes and filter changes myself every 5 months or 4000 miles. Perfect! Mini's are great first cars

[1984mini25]

Why is it that people think minis are going to break down? My SPI gets an oil/filter change every 3000miles and has never let me down atall!!

Exactly, over about 4.5 k last year all mine really needed was a service and a battery, I left the lights on and the battery was old to start with.

Ok it did also need the gearbox rebuilding, new oil pump and bottom end. BUT it had been warning me with funny noises for a while, witch I chose to ignore. But even then it only cost me around £200 ish to get it all fixed and running again.

So if the same had happen on a modern car, the car would probably have needed a complete new engine, plus the labour totalling to more than the car would be worth and eventually being scrapped.

So yes a mini 'might' brake down or go wrong, BUT when it does it will also be a hell of a load cheaper to fix.

[danrock101]

They can be extremly expensive cars but to keep on the road they're not that expensive. If I can afford 1 then anyway one can!

[Jacko-lah]

Why is it that people think minis are going to break down? My SPI gets an oil/filter change every 3000miles and has never let me down atall!!

Exactly, over about 4.5 k last year all mine really needed was a service and a battery, I left the lights on and the battery was old to start with.

Ok it did also need the gearbox rebuilding, new oil pump and bottom end. BUT it had been warning me with funny noises for a while, witch I chose to ignore. But even then it only cost me around £200 ish to get it all fixed and running again.

So if the same had happen on a modern car, the car would probably have needed a complete new engine, plus the labour totalling to more than the car would be worth and eventually being scrapped.

So yes a mini 'might' brake down or go wrong, BUT when it does it will also be a hell of a load cheaper to fix.

I'd like to put it in context.

My brother in law, his wife (my wife's sister), and my neice all own Micra's from the Mid to late 90's. P, T and W reg all 1000 CC 2x3 door 1x5 door. Now the 2 more expensive cars together cost the same to purchase as my 1988 mayfair (£1800) . However, to put my 17 year old son on the insurance costs £1200 less. Assuming I spend more on maintenance (I've spent 300 in the first 3 months and there's a few little faults want sorting) but i have no depreciation, the payback vs buying a p reg micra for £600 is what? Year 1 I'm going to spend £3K vs £2.6K, year 2 I'm going to spend £800 vs £1.8K, year 3 I'm going to spend £700 vs £1.4K. Lets say that we sell up after 3 years. I get £1800 for the mini and they get £400 for the micra. I reckon that over 3 years It's a viable proposition providing you keep it maintained.

The W reg micra had a problem with the fuel injection and it cost £500 to diagnose and fix.

I had a problem with the points (my failure to replace them on schedule) and fixed it for nothing.

[Jon1]

i never ment it in a bad way ,i just mean it would be good to learn abit about one befor you go buying one if its something your interested in rather then just cheap insurance,sorry if i offended anyone .

[Pistonhead]

I turned 17 some months ago but won't be getting lessons until late this year, due to financial reasons

I've been looking at modern cars but the insurance is like £5500-£6500 even for what people consider cheap cars! A Rover Mini is more in the reigon of about £3500, more reasonable I think.

D'you reckon a good one would come along at £2000 or there abouts, this would be for say a 1993 model Rover Mini.

Hey, my mate got a 1994 mini cooper 1.3 spi for £1200 on ebay, he's 20 and insurance is £1300 per year with mods too. (see pic) Hope that helps x

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[Marty529]

I got my current Mini on ebay and without tempting fate!! can say she runs the weekly 320 mile trip round the M25 and up the M1 without any dramas. The only problems I've had are minor electrical issues, which are now rectified. And as I said earlier as long as your problems aren't catastophic the best way to learn is by experiencing and dealing with any problems you might get.

[George929]

mate i dont know what insurance companies your looking at but £6000 to £9000 seems alot my freind has a 2.5 lt 3 series bmw and hes 17 and paying £5000 on his own insurance no for a micra its about £1100 but for a mini you be looking sub £1000