Well as many of you will know, Oliver the SPi Cooper has been sent away for 6 months to have a few repairs and a respray, in red after much discussion with myself on it.
Well I had an email today from the guy doing the work, with some pics. It turns out there is more need doing than I thought. Originally the work was going to cost around 1500-2000, for a front panel, what I thought were a few little repair patches and then the spray.
It now needs front panel, two inner wingers, probably bulk head or at least a substantial repair, door step, inner sill (the guy has said it was repaired with just a giant bit of steel!), boot floor, battery box, door post, a panels, probably outer wings although thats not confirmed yet. And thats all before the car has really been stripped. I am sending the guy an email reference the work etc, but this could potentially increase the cost by another k at least (for panels and labour mostly). Fortunately the engine is still in decent nick, so thats not too bad. I was going to make some upgrades (Stage 3 kit) and chuck in a gearbox refurb and minor upgrades for the box to handle the increase in power by Guessworks. When you factor in all that, as well as the cost of other inevitable expenses (I already knew it needed a new loom for example) and its going to be pushing 5-6 easily. In the parts already uncovered, its full of filler and bodged repairs. Im concerned about what else has been bodged as well now and what other nasty surprises await when its all taken apart.
On top of that, I was going to be rebuilding it all myself after the paint job, so I wouldn't even have the car to use for a while either.
Now Im thinking what the best course of action is. I was going to sell it a while ago, but then I had a nephew and my sister named it Oliver so I decided to keep it and pass it down one day. However, financially, it really doesn't make much sense when I can get other cars for a lot less than 5-6k and be on the road straight away.
So my three options are;
1. Keep going as planned and just suck up the cost. Major pro - I keep the same car. Major con - the cost & time
2. Sell Oliver (as a project in parts) and use the money for a new mini, hopefully with less bodges! Major pro - in a strong buying position when I get back so should be able to get a really good car at a good price. Major con - no more Oliver
3. Keep the car, find somewhere to store it and rebuild it slow time and teach myself to weld. Buy another mini as my main one and take my time over Oliver. Major pro, new mini to drive and keep Oliver, major con, ages until Oliver is back on the road.
What would you guys do? I need to get more info from the guy doing it all before I decide fully, but at the moment I think I am heading towards the third option. I think there could be some good bargains around to be had. It also means I can use the money saved (the difference between about 6k and the cost of the mini) for kit for welding etc. Having said that, I do want a S Works MPi car, so I might not save much after all!
What are your thoughts on the state of the car? I'm thinking more bodges will turn up and make things even worse. Im really annoyed I bought yet another filler filled mini! In my defence, it was about 5 years ago before I even knew of this place. And it looked so shiny. I'll try and add the pics the guy sent me as well.
