12 replies to this topic

[Spiderjoko]

hi guys,


i am about to purchase a classic mini but it has rust on the lower windscreen surround on both sides and will probably need replacing. i found the panel from some website but how hard it is to do the job ??? the front wings and underneath the headlights are all good so its just that bit.
here is a pic

[sonikk4]

That will be a full scuttle replacement which with the wings fitted is nearly impossible but if you are careful and are willing to cut the new scuttle in half you should be able to replace it without removing the wings.

The biggest problem you will face is the scuttle close out panels which are hidden by the wings as these are attached to the scuttle with spot welds plus if memory serves me correctly the wings are also attached to the scuttle but don't quote me on that.

You will need a Heritage scuttle as all of the others are crap, its the best fitting one by far.

You could in theory cut all of that rot out and then cut what you need from the replacement panel however as the heritage panel is £90 that's an expensive option.

[Cooperman]

Just did that on a 1997 MPI.
The dash top rail was also badly corroded and this only became apparent when the dash top padding and screen were out. The corrosion extended to the top of the bulkhead which is sandwiched between scuttle panel and dash rail. It is very important to get the screen aperture depth accurate or the screen won't go back in. The repair to the top of the bulkhead was difficult as there is no repair panel available.
The late cars all go there, but earlier cars dont. I got a piece for the bulkhead panel top from a scrap 1986 car.
Not an easy job.

[Spiderjoko]

That will be a full scuttle replacement which with the wings fitted is nearly impossible but if you are careful and are willing to cut the new scuttle in half you should be able to replace it without removing the wings.

The biggest problem you will face is the scuttle close out panels which are hidden by the wings as these are attached to the scuttle with spot welds plus if memory serves me correctly the wings are also attached to the scuttle but don't quote me on that.

You will need a Heritage scuttle as all of the others are crap, its the best fitting one by far.

You could in theory cut all of that rot out and then cut what you need from the replacement panel however as the heritage panel is £90 that's an expensive option.

cant i buy a non genuine one and cut the areas i need to replace them and then weld them together, and paint them. the rust seems to be on the top of panel closer to the wipers rather than the wings. any more help guys ??? shall i get the car ???? it is my first mini and it will be a project car that i will use to learn how to do all sort of things.i actually have another car to use for main driving

[sonikk4]

That will be a full scuttle replacement which with the wings fitted is nearly impossible but if you are careful and are willing to cut the new scuttle in half you should be able to replace it without removing the wings.

The biggest problem you will face is the scuttle close out panels which are hidden by the wings as these are attached to the scuttle with spot welds plus if memory serves me correctly the wings are also attached to the scuttle but don't quote me on that.

You will need a Heritage scuttle as all of the others are crap, its the best fitting one by far.

You could in theory cut all of that rot out and then cut what you need from the replacement panel however as the heritage panel is £90 that's an expensive option.

cant i buy a non genuine one and cut the areas i need to replace them and then weld them together, and paint them. the rust seems to be on the top of panel closer to the wipers rather than the wings. any more help guys ??? shall i get the car ???? it is my first mini and it will be a project car that i will use to learn how to do all sort of things.i actually have another car to use for main driving

Yes there is nothing to stop you from using a pattern panel and chopping out what you need. If i was you though have a good look up inside each inner wing area especially around the scuttle close out areas. To be honest the later mini's rot with a vengeance. I would get into every nook and cranny, check out the boot especially in the rear subframe mount areas and the back of each wheel arch.

Sills inner and outer as well. I would say a lot of it depends on how much the car is going to cost to start with.

[MiniLandy]

Depends on the price really.

At the cheaper end of the spectrum, you could whip the windscreen out, and cut out the areas of rot. Then fabricate patches where they are needed, weld them in, grind back and filler over. It's more effort but if you're decent at metal forming, doesn't take that long.

Did this on mine, you wouldn't know it was there.

[Spiderjoko]

That will be a full scuttle replacement which with the wings fitted is nearly impossible but if you are careful and are willing to cut the new scuttle in half you should be able to replace it without removing the wings.

The biggest problem you will face is the scuttle close out panels which are hidden by the wings as these are attached to the scuttle with spot welds plus if memory serves me correctly the wings are also attached to the scuttle but don't quote me on that.

You will need a Heritage scuttle as all of the others are crap, its the best fitting one by far.

You could in theory cut all of that rot out and then cut what you need from the replacement panel however as the heritage panel is £90 that's an expensive option.

cant i buy a non genuine one and cut the areas i need to replace them and then weld them together, and paint them. the rust seems to be on the top of panel closer to the wipers rather than the wings. any more help guys ??? shall i get the car ???? it is my first mini and it will be a project car that i will use to learn how to do all sort of things.i actually have another car to use for main driving

Yes there is nothing to stop you from using a pattern panel and chopping out what you need. If i was you though have a good look up inside each inner wing area especially around the scuttle close out areas. To be honest the later mini's rot with a vengeance. I would get into every nook and cranny, check out the boot especially in the rear subframe mount areas and the back of each wheel arch.

Sills inner and outer as well. I would say a lot of it depends on how much the car is going to cost to start with.

the car had inner and outer sills replaced back in 2007 and i looked underneath both front and back subframes and they look solid. The boot door is fine but there is some bubbling in the area above it near the back window. i will look on the inner wing. the car does have MOT until october this year

what do u think guys ?? i was supposed to take it tomorrow evening but i thought i would check with u guys

[Spiderjoko]

Depends on the price really.

At the cheaper end of the spectrum, you could whip the windscreen out, and cut out the areas of rot. Then fabricate patches where they are needed, weld them in, grind back and filler over. It's more effort but if you're decent at metal forming, doesn't take that long.

Did this on mine, you wouldn't know it was there.

the car is gonna be around £800 with tax and mot. any idea ??

[MiniLandy]

Yep, sounds like a decent price to me!

I bought my mini by accident on eBay for £800, drove it for a year, and just weld bits up as and when it needs it

In decent nick, that'll be worth a lot more!

[sonikk4]

What's the rest of the spec of the car, model, engine size, wheels etc. £800 is not bad but if the rest of the body is good apart from those areas then it sounds reasonable and to some folk positively good.

[Spiderjoko]

What's the rest of the spec of the car, model, engine size, wheels etc. £800 is not bad but if the rest of the body is good apart from those areas then it sounds reasonable and to some folk positively good.

its 1992 mini mayfair with 998cc. nearly 90k on the clock with 4 registered keepers. i drove it today and it did have a rattling noise in the engine but only when its moving and all the gears and everything looks good. i suspect maybe the exhaust pipe is abit loose or something. it also has 3 wipec lights on the front. so guys i think iam happy to cut the pieces i need for windscreen surround and weld them,sand them etc. anything else i should be worried about ?? the person seems very nice and has lots of documents and even pics when the car was done. the paint was not done properly by the garage but thats not a problem as i will do that myself anyway

[sonikk4]

For £800 you cant go to far wrong plus if you are willing to do all of the work yourself then happy days. To be honest for that sort of money you are not going to get anything special but as long as the engine and gearbox work and the rattle is not from them then its a good basis for you to start with.

[Cerberus]

As others have said, £800 sounds pretty good.

Just as a comparison, mine was £3500, and it had got new inner and outer sills, and had had some new front end panels.

But, there was a hole at the front of the back wheel, in the companion bin, it was all covered up with mastik and paint, so it went through its MOT before I got it, and was only found out due to the water it let in, and the light that came through.

And mine is also slightly rusty around the screen in the corners, not quite as bad as that, but its letting water get in, so that's my next job, hoping its not going to be catastrophic,