16 replies to this topic

[profmatt]

I thinking of buying a Mini Mayfair automatic 1986. The dealer says it's in excellent condition. Well, he would, I suppose.

I'm a total newbie, but I have a friend who's a mechanic who can help me when things go wrong.

My biggest worry is this: how wrong can things go? My concern is expense. I read somewhere that if the gearbox goes that'll cost me two grand to replace. If that's right it would be a complete disaster. I couldn't afford that.

I'm likely to drive no more than 3,000 miles a year in the car. How much money should I expect to have to spend on repairs? Should I join the AA or similar just in case? Is it likely to breakdown in the middle of a road halfway through a journey?

Sorry for the questions, but I know literally nothing about cars!

[Nicks217]

If the gearbox goes its time to yoink in a manual engine and subframe ect.

[JimminyBob]

The biggest potential expense is usually bodywork. Replacing mechanical stuff isn't that expensive if you buy second hand. Lots of 998 engines available for example. Automatic gearboxes can be a bit of an issue if they go wrong but they can replaced with manuals.

[sledgehammer]

I would worry about rust - rather than bolt on bits

If you can drive a manual - and the auto messes up - 998 manuals are still quite avalible - even the subframe can be left in & spacers bought

if you go after an auto - ask how often oil changes , and if the car has been left off road for a while ?

IIRC auto's don't like being off road for too long - due to oil drain down

guessworks is the man to give advise on gearbox's

Mini's break down - they are not like a newer car

[profmatt]

Unfortunately I only have an automatic licence

[MRA]

IIRC auto's don't like being off road for too long - due to oil drain down

Its not so much the oil draining down that causes the issue, but the possibility of rust on the shiney steel parts, as it breaks off it then clogs up the valve body and clutch packs etc....

guessworks is the man to give advise on gearbox's

John is the person for manuals..... however the automatic is a transmission not a manual

[Artful Dodger]

^^he is the automatic boffin!!!

[Algordo1100]

Passing the driving test takes so much effort with all the things to learn. Operating the gearbox and clutch is such a tiny part of it, I don't know why someone would go through all the effort and only have an auto licence? Unless they only have one leg or another disability.
I would have to get a full licence asap. Minis are just too much fun to be tied to only the autos

[MRA]

Passing the driving test takes so much effort with all the things to learn. Operating the gearbox and clutch is such a tiny part of it, I don't know why someone would go through all the effort and only have an auto licence? Unless they only have one leg or another disability.
I would have to get a full licence asap. Minis are just too much fun to be tied to only the autos

Have you ever driven an automatic mini ? They are as much if not more fun... sequential gearchanges being ace in a mini

[Algordo1100]

Yes i have driven an auto mini and i agree. They are a hoot!
But i wouldn't want to be legally unauthorised to drive manual minis (or any other car). That would be a pain in the bum! :-/

[jime17]

IIRC auto's don't like being off road for too long - due to oil drain down

Its not so much the oil draining down that causes the issue, but the possibility of rust on the shiney steel parts, as it breaks off it then clogs up the valve body and clutch packs etc....

guessworks is the man to give advise on gearbox's

John is the person for manuals..... however the automatic is a transmission not a manual

Martin, just question leading from that last comment, do you recommendfilling with cheap oil when doing an oil change and running it up to operating temp, then draining and filling with decent 10w40? Does this help with the rust issue you describe?

[MRA]

Not really, the rust issue is going to cause you problems that if not caught and cleaned up will just cause your tranny to fail.


Depending on how rusty it is depends on my course of action, light rust shouldn't give you any issues, but I have seen some and have one somewhere that looks like it was submerged in water.

It is in fact out of an automatic Mini that had been serviced at correct intervals and had very low mileage, however the low mileage caused the increased condensation, and the lack of heat in the engine did not allow it to "burn off" I also suspect that the oil was being looked at but not changed by the garage, I found a few things on this Mini that the garage said had been repaired or changed but hadn't.

I would remove the front cover (drain first) and take a look inside you'll need a very small (thin torch)

[jime17]

Is the cover where the clutch housing would be on a manual and does it need a replacement gasket when refitting?

[MRA]

No its the one under the alternator and starter motor that has the filter housing bolted to it, with all the bolts around it

Yes you will need a gasket, you will need to get the correct gasket, there are 2 different gaskets, very similar but too disimilar to be interchangeable.

You will also need a gasket for the oil filter housing, as it is bolted to the front cover.

Edited by mra-minis.co.uk, 10 March 2013 - 11:37 AM.

[Skortchio]

Aside from what's already been said in terms of the usual mini related things, if you have a google search for "mini buying checklist" you'll find a link (from here I think) of places to look and things to check, it's not exhaustive but it's a good start.

With the auto box, it's a bit of a bag of cats unfortunately. Mine was great for 4k miles after buying the car and went from slick to shagged in about 200miles. But like you I'm restricted to automatics too, so it's a price you pay.

Get a test drive of the car, from cold. See how the gears engage when the engine is just warmed up then take it for a good drive get it really working and then see how the gear changes are; do they get slow to engage, is there any noise coming out of gear into neutral, does the "thud" of engaging first get louder, that kind of thing.

Also, try pulling up to a kerb so the wheels touch it and then applying only slight throttle. If the clutch bands are going to slip that will make them slip. If they do, it's not going to be cheap.
By example, my current (fairly stock) 1275 will do this test will no effort at all, where as the previous engine didn't go anywhere and squealed at me