Up Into Fourth
Posted 22 May 2013 - 02:14 AM
Mot convinced they are that easy to work on. You have to have our head up their ar*e to do most jobs, even topping up oil is a ball ache. Cylinder head off is an engine out job. Valve clearances are done flat on ypur back. Whoever put the top right stud in for engine removal should be shot. They aren't hard to work on but they aren't pleasant either.
Yeah it seems like every paragraph in the workshop manual starts with "remove the engine as previously described"
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 22 May 2013 - 06:13 AM
It's not difficult to do, I got it down to about 3 1/2 hours to get it out and back in. Some people claim to be able to do it on their own but I wouldn't like to try. It just gets really frustrating having to do it for relatively minor jobs. Pretty much no mechanical job can be done in a comfortable position. It's either head in the engine bay stretching round or lying flat on your back. Not good. And most vans need a LOT of maintenance to keep them going. The engine is simple and robust but vey agricultural. If you go for a 2.0litre your pocket is in for a world of pain if anything goes wrong on it.Yeah it seems like every paragraph in the workshop manual starts with "remove the engine as previously described"Mot convinced they are that easy to work on. You have to have our head up their ar*e to do most jobs, even topping up oil is a ball ache. Cylinder head off is an engine out job. Valve clearances are done flat on ypur back. Whoever put the top right stud in for engine removal should be shot. They aren't hard to work on but they aren't pleasant either.
Edited by Tamworthbay, 22 May 2013 - 06:13 AM.
I am a shed dragger.
Posted 22 May 2013 - 10:28 AM
Speeding Along Now
Posted 22 May 2013 - 07:47 PM
I owned a Late Bay (1979, one of the last) and it did about 20mpg on a good day.
When it was done:
It wasn't too bad round the corners with the adjustable front beam in and lowered a few splines at the back. It sure is a laugh when you're driving on a beach and sliding the back end out!
Edited by ChrisCityE, 22 May 2013 - 07:48 PM.
Formerly known as TneMini.
Posted 29 May 2013 - 09:12 AM
I'd also love a Camper van but just cannot afford it at the moment. I like the idea of just buying a van and doing it all myself - which would probably result in it going completely wrong! I love the idea. I really want to be able to just disappear for the weekend and stop wherever I want.
But I have been thinking about it more. I think, at this stage, I would be better off getting a big car (think Zafira or Chrysler Grand Voyager, and just flattening all of the seats. I could easily fit 2 bikes in there, a tent, and some other stuff (I tried paddle boarding recently and wouldn't mind trying kayaking etc but that would go on the roof!). I have a big tent for longer stays and a small two man tent for the over night stops. I love camping and really don't get to do it enough. Hopefully will get a few days down in the West Country this summer.
Someone at work has a black A- Team van which they have kitted out. It is really comfortable inside - all the seats are soft and perfectly fine for cruising on long journeys. The back bench seat folds out into a bed if needed. Its really quite nice. And looks as cool as a cucumber.
Original Spamster
Posted 29 May 2013 - 11:33 AM
last weekend
Formerly known as TneMini.
Posted 29 May 2013 - 12:38 PM
It's a hard life Bungle. That does look pretty good.
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 29 May 2013 - 01:03 PM
It's a hard life Bungle. That does look pretty good.
Formerly known as TneMini.
Posted 29 May 2013 - 01:19 PM
Ah but if it does break down, at least you can wait in relative comfort.
I'm all for tents like you though to be honest. I love being in a tent when it rains hard . Its awesome. I need to sort out some camping soon!
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 29 May 2013 - 01:33 PM
I wouldn't risk it on a motorway, one other thing we found was that the recovery puts you at the back of the list for exactly that reason. It took us 12 hours to get from the M25 to Tamworth. I was not best pleased. Even less pleased that I had carried a brand new spare from JK but they had supplied the wrong one.Ah but if it does break down, at least you can wait in relative comfort.
I'm all for tents like you though to be honest. I love being in a tent when it rains hard . Its awesome. I need to sort out some camping soon!
Original Spamster
Posted 29 May 2013 - 04:12 PM
It's a hard life Bungle. That does look pretty good.
They don't look so good when they break down on the motorway and its peeing it down. Been there done that. They aren't that great to camp in either to be honest, our tent has much more space. The 'idea' of one is much nicer than the reality in my experience.
i would never go back to a tent it's great having a proper bed (for the 4 of us ) a cooker, fridge and heating
it takes just a few minutes to pull the hand brake on, draw the curtains, lift the roof and make the beds and if it's raining no one needs to get wet and being 4ft off the ground you never get flooded
break down happen just like any other classic car , but if you look after them it's a lot less likely (only once in 6 years **touches wood** )
on a run we can get in the low 30's MPG although around town is in the 20's
they are easy to park in town as they are smaller than most modern family cars, ours even fits in the garage
we have just been away as a family of 4 for 4 days and 3 nights and total cost of about £50 including ice creams , the rest of the food we would of eaten at home anyway, it's a cheap way to entertain a family
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 29 May 2013 - 04:32 PM
Agree on reliability, not on cost. When you own one you forget the hidden costs, extra petrol, tax, MOT and insurance. That is BEFORE service and upkeep. We sat down and worked it out and found we could get a static caravan for 4 weeks high season for the same cost, or two weeks in a decent B and B, and that is with me doing all the work. If you have to pay a garage to do it then you are looking at double if not triple that. The most we ever got away in ours was 30 days in one year so it just doesn't add up financially. I am still glad I did it though, just can't quite work out why........... I guess it was just an itch I needed to scratch.It's a hard life Bungle. That does look pretty good.
They don't look so good when they break down on the motorway and its peeing it down. Been there done that. They aren't that great to camp in either to be honest, our tent has much more space. The 'idea' of one is much nicer than the reality in my experience.
i would never go back to a tent it's great having a proper bed (for the 4 of us ) a cooker, fridge and heating
it takes just a few minutes to pull the hand brake on, draw the curtains, lift the roof and make the beds and if it's raining no one needs to get wet and being 4ft off the ground you never get flooded
break down happen just like any other classic car , but if you look after them it's a lot less likely (only once in 6 years **touches wood** )
on a run we can get in the low 30's MPG although around town is in the 20's
they are easy to park in town as they are smaller than most modern family cars, ours even fits in the garage
we have just been away as a family of 4 for 4 days and 3 nights and total cost of about £50 including ice creams , the rest of the food we would of eaten at home anyway, it's a cheap way to entertain a family
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 01 June 2013 - 09:09 AM
Ah but if it does break down, at least you can wait in relative comfort.
I'm all for tents like you though to be honest. I love being in a tent when it rains hard . Its awesome. I need to sort out some camping soon!
your like me, we camped in cornwall last year when it was horrendous weather and the rain was hammering down one night for atleast 4 hours. i loved it. my girlfriend thinks im mental lol. would have been better if it was thundering though lol.
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 01 June 2013 - 09:11 AM
last weekend
you just cant beat Cornwall!!
Super Mini Mad
Posted 01 June 2013 - 09:17 AM
Been looking at campers quite a lot recently, although been leaning towards the dark side with a T4. Mainly because of the cost, i know there reliable and pretty good on fuel, and it'd be an almost daily vehicle for me so i kinda have to take them things into account.
Anyone got any views/opinions? I'd love a westfalia pop top but they command much more money!
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