15 replies to this topic

[Mike7777777]

Hi

My teenage son wants a Mini as his first car, I owned two Minis many years ago so I'm keen to help him buy an interesting Mini, but I'm worried about crash protection (yes, I'm older than I used to be). So, what modifications would improve the chances of surviving a crash in a Mini?:

Full rollcage
Tillets and full harnesses.
1380 engine to escape from tailgaters ... OK, I'm kidding, the insurer's might whinge about that.

Is a pair of Sparco overalls and an open face helmet taking things too far?

[Ollie180]

all you need is a rollcage and harneness trust me i been all sorts of crashs and wrote 2 cars off and ne was 2 rolls and 2 flips in 1 and i walked away from both of them

the only bad part is hte floor comes up but when your in a crash you normal bring your feet back

[BlAck0ut]

Yep full rollcage, FIA approved, DECENT bucket seats, some doors off a sportspack mini (the later types) as these have added protection.

but most importantly make sure he dosnt drive like an idiot or dosnt go out with mates etc who drive like idiots!!

If you get him to spend quit a bit of money on the mini he wants he is more likely to look after it too!

[Mike7777777]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Is there a recognised mod to strengthen the floor pan?

I'm trying to steer the boy towards an ex-police Class 1 driving instructor and Pass Plus.

[BerkshireMini]

I'm trying to steer the boy towards an ex-police Class 1 driving instructor and Pass Plus.

Very much recommended!!!

Both bring the insurance down aswell I do believe.

[MiniSi]

Hi Mike,

I'm 23, on ym 8th car (only written one off though!) I've done a passplus and highly recommend it plus a good amount of time on track days and skid pans to further educate myself.

As for strengthening the mini I'd say a good roll cage and get one with door bars. If he's into the race car scene he'll love it. A decent well suppoted FIA seat and some good 4 point harnesses should do the job nicely.

SI.

[gsms]

Also check the sills for rust, as these play a strong part in crash protection.

Guy.

[Grayedout]

Unfortunately although a roll cage will strengthen the car in the eyes of the insurances companies its an excuse to up your premium !!

Best check with them first !

[Mini Steve]

Yep full rollcage, FIA approved, DECENT bucket seats, some doors off a sportspack mini (the later types) as these have added protection.

but most importantly make sure he dosnt drive like an idiot or dosnt go out with mates etc who drive like idiots!!

If you get him to spend quit a bit of money on the mini he wants he is more likely to look after it too!

agreed!!my mates drive a bit stupid but this doesnt get to me as i know iv spent all the money on it myself!!if i crash, its my money im loosing!!
plus i quite like cruising around!!proper pimp!!haha

but yea, roll cage buckets an decent harnesses!!sorted

[Dan]

The majority of insurers will not even quote on a car fitted with a roll cage, and most harnesses are not road legal.

Mini's have a high degree of passive crash protection, in that they are small and nimble menaing it's harder to get into trouble in one and easier to get out of trouble if you do mess up (in other words they are good to drive). If you are really worried then get a twinpoint (all Mini's late '96 on). That's about the safest road going Mini you can find. They have door intrusion beams, drivers air bag and seatbelt pretensioners. People are so concerned about Mini's in crashes and I don't know why. They performed a lot better in the last round of crash testing they went through than Metro's did (Metro did so badly it was pulled from production 2 months after the tests). My GF pulls people out of crashed cars for a living and I don't think she's ever even seen a crashed Mini.

[Jammy]

As Dan says, alot of people think the worst about minis because they were designed 45 years ago when less emphasis was placed on saftey. Well take a look at these new cars. Yes they do well in crashs where you hit another car or a wall head on or from the side but then only a percentage of crashes happen like this. What about all the side swipes, meetings with kerbs and lamposts??

Admittedly, a nasty accident at high speed would total a mini, and hence why I would recommend a full cage, with proper padding and door bars, but then alot of cars would do well to survive the same accident!

[The beans]

Its a good idea to think about kids and their saftey.

We have been doing the same ready for when we rebuild my old mini for our son.
Any saftey ideas can only be a good thing.

Some local kids were down where we live looking at the whale and raced each other home.One car crashed with 4 lads in the driver got off light the passenger died and the 2 in the back have broken necks and things dont look to good.

[Mike7777777]

Busy messageboard!

I've got a couple of quotes for insurance, the important questions appear to be:"Has the car been cosmetically altered?" and "Has the engine been modified to increase performance?" I don't think a rollcage or harnesses fits either question, but I'll ask them anyway.

If harnesses are illegal for road use then most kitcars are illegal. Probably needs an "e" mark for SVA.

The insurance quotes for a 17 year old are frightening, I can insure a 2 tintops, a classic Brit, a kitcar and a 'bike for less. But - on balance - I think I would like to be 17 again.

[Bungle]

my mini is insured with HIC and i have asked about a roll cage

they say it will not put up the cost of my insurance

[Grayedout]

Harnesses are technically illegal so kit cars are officially sold with standard seatbelts but with harnesses as an option.

Personally I think harnesses are a waste for a road car as people tend to wear them loose so they can reach the dash switches, the radio etc etc and so this makes them ineffective !