19 replies to this topic

[Jordie]

Right, i think we need a thread on cheap suggestions on how to mod or change a mini.

For example,

Re-cover seats with material to create a fresh clean look to your seats.

And stuff like, parts u can find at scrappies from non mini cars which fit mini's etc.

Should be able to get some cheap ideas if we all stick our heads together.

[rob mini]

i got given a scrap mini with a half decent interior, that looks good and cost nowt

rob

[miniman5]

heya! i used apolstry cleaner on my interior and it sparkles now well the one half does, ive got to do the rest today he he :tongue:

[Jordie]

if you get down scrappy, ford fiesta fog lights suit the mini rear valence quite nice.

I also believe parts like alternator can be used from monteago's (spelling?)

[miniman5]

kool i duno how u spell that either but i know what you are on about :grin:

[Jordie]

Been having a look around and talking to afew peeps and found out the following

Austin montego internal boot release fits with some minor modding and means you can delock the boot.

Digital clock from citroen xantia fits in ashtray hole

2-tone horns from a Merc 190

Polo console fits mini with minor modding

Skoda Estelle alloy has the same stud spacing as a mini. (a guy checked it on his mini and proved offset was correct)

Chrome flexi pipe (like shower pipe) makes a good cable braiding and looks sweet on gearsticks and handbrake.

[roberts]

do the work yaself mate.......thats cheap!

im about to make boot boards.......minitrailers is £50 aint it?

mine will cost £9

wood = £4 MED
carpet = £5

bout to make door bins to house my front speakers....mini trailers are £30 i think?

mine will be nicer and cozt bout £15 (due to carbon bibre paper)

under seat board........bout £8 housing LED's so that takes it up to about £15 prob!

cumstom front grill (i did about a year ago) £16 because i made it myself wiv bullet hole mesh......normal grills are more!

interior carpets....£15

thats wiv underlay, MDF's to make it flat and carpet!

mmm........what else have i done?? a few others but cant think!

off to a scrap yard 2moro to get myself a boot......smooth it off in a custom way..and send it off to a mate to get sprayed for cheap


oh and another tip.......shop around.....my coilovers!!

wow i couldnt belive it.....mini speed (never use them as IMP they are a rip off) Spax coilovers.....the normal kit so u have to have your inner rear arches cut £480!

min-its Spax RSX coilover kit....so u dotn av to av ya rear inner arches cut.....

wait for it......

£415

and by getting those i also saved £200 fitting as i did them meself!

[Jordie]

nice 1. I am buying new carpets for inside, black household stuff from carpet shop. Nice n cheap and looks v.good better then the standard carpets.

I am thinking about making a boot board myself, but i arent good with stuff like that, so might get a mate to cut me one up.

[roberts]

if u want measurments after iv done it ill send them u??

[Jordie]

yeah that would be cool ta.

[philster]

I think cheap suggestions or ways to save cash is a great idea. I've used a few methods while installing car audio and have also found some suppliers to be a lot cheaper than others.

The first is dynamat what they use to stop panels on cars resonating when the car audio is cranked up. This is very expensive and can cost a couple of hundred quid to do. I used self adhesive lino tiles from b&q and a hair drier i think they were about £4 for ten with each tile being a foot square. Did the whole car, boot, bonnet, doors, roof, boot floor, rear quarters and rear bulkhead. Cost me about £20 to do the lot and theres no vibration at all!
Also in line fuse holders are mega expensive from car audio shops, i use some mains fuse holders from maplin which can take up to a 35amp glass fuse (like the ones in the mini fuse box) and cost only 49p plus an extra 13p for a cover!

[Jordie]

cool, i love maplins! saved some money in my time there.

[millsminis]

Saving money is good so far for mine I made a speaker board and a boot board, Good Old MDF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What to do next???

[siggy]

Buy an MG metro £50 to £100.

Then you can use the seats, Engine and gearbox and door pockets

Sell the vents and 4 pots, alloys and other parts and hopefully get all your money back.

Siggy

[Jordie]

awww buggar, i totally missed that idea. The lad down road (some weirdo) had a metro, he talks to my lil bro and keeps stopping by when i am working on mini.

He gave it to scrappers for nowt, think it had 14" alloys n that too, he modded it quite abit then gave up as floors started to give.