4 replies to this topic

[bjm38]

Hi all,

Just bought my very first Mini, a 1990 City E, for my daughter to learn to drive:

http://www.flickr.co...@N02/5866746111

It looked pretty well perfect in the showroom but I've found a few problems in the four days that we've had it, in particular rust in the OS sill that I was able to put a hole through with a key. My neighbour says he has a tame welder friend, so I may well find meself calling on his help.

It also broke down on me this morning, causing me to use a recovery service for the first time in 25 years driving - it turned out to be something and nothing, a jammed linkage from the clutch slave cylinder. A browse of the Haynes manual, a can of WD 40 and a nudge with a manhole key sorted that one out.

The car's great fun to drive, but I think it's going to be the car that finally teaches me car maintenance - or else!

Bernard

[conrod]

Welcome Bernard, it is a good looking car. I would have killed for my Dad to have bought me that as my first car. Learning to service a car and keep up the maintenance would almost eliminate the chance of a breakdown. You had no control as it was the previous owner. A well serviced Mini is as good as any car on the road. If you can garage it at night etc it makes an even bigger difference. Good luck with what should be an enjoyable family project.

Welcome to a better world.

Kev.

[Timty]

Hi and welcome to the forum! i've seen you out and about teaching your daughter to drive, it's nice to see another mini in Rochdale there seems to be quite a few lately.

[stevede]

Hi and welcome to TMF

Nice looking car. Like the look of the Moggy in the background as well.

Regards

Steve

[bjm38]

Thanks for the welcome and comments.

The Mini's exactly as she left the showroom 21 years ago, complete with original "City" decals and stripes, but with the exception of a map reading light that's screwed into the dashboard - no chance of removing that without leaving evidence behind. It looks as if it's the original "little old lady owner" car, having been owned by the same person for the past 20 years with just 25,000 miles on the clock. It came with every MOT certificate, passing every time with no advisories - over the past few years it seems to have only covered 10 to 20 miles per year which might have had some bearing on the clutch pedal seizing up on me yesterday.

A garage is fairly high up on my list of things to do, space is a little tight between us and next door, but there's enough room to squeeze a Mini through. We have a big garden that's little more than lawn, I think the only complaint from reducing that might come from the dog!

I've still to coax Caitlin into the Mini's driver's seat yet, I'll wait until I'm satisfied with how the Mini's running. Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

The Morris Minor in the picture's background was my first foray into classic cars for well over 20 years, she's performed pretty much faultlessly in the 12 months that I've had her. The two cars certainly look at home together, with more than a passing family resemblance.

Bernard