10 replies to this topic

[MiniCooper93]

Hi, I am currently looking to buy a Mk6 mini and i was wondering what are the key things to watch out for?

[Minisamwellen]

RUST!

[sonikk4]

Yep rust for the later models is virtually a forgone conclusion. Check absolutely everywhere so take a mirror and torc to get in all of the nooks and crannies.

[MiniCooper93]

Are there any spots that are particularly prone for rust? 

[alex-95]

Yes, the scuttle, front panel, wings, sills, boot floor, flitches, bottom of the doors... Have a look in the project threads to see where the majority of rust forms.

[Yoda]

On a late model it may more politic to ask if there are any spots NOT prone to rust LOL.

 

A magnet, a lamp and a mirror will set you right !

[MiniCooper93]

Thank you for everyones input, ill be certain to give the car a thorough going over before i buy

[tiger99]

It has been said many times on this forum that late Minis rusted more badly than earlier models. Do we know what went wrong? Was it poor preparation before paint, or low grade steel? I know that some years such as 1962 and 1984 seemed to be better than average, and some colours worse, but I have no experience of later models yet.

 

I am interested because I may want a late model one of these days, or perhaps not.....

[sonikk4]

It has been said many times on this forum that late Minis rusted more badly than earlier models. Do we know what went wrong? Was it poor preparation before paint, or low grade steel? I know that some years such as 1962 and 1984 seemed to be better than average, and some colours worse, but I have no experience of later models yet.

 

I am interested because I may want a late model one of these days, or perhaps not.....

 

There seems to be a lack of paint in certain areas but it may also be a batch of dodgy metal as well. Seeing where some of the rust starts and you think Why and How.

 

A couple of SPI's and an MPI i have played with bodywork wise have been really bad, it was difficult to tell if it was poor paint application or lack of. Rust on the rust. Shame really. I have an SPI coming back next year for some major repairs.

[Tahiti Joe]

It has been said many times on this forum that late Minis rusted more badly than earlier models. Do we know what went wrong? Was it poor preparation before paint, or low grade steel? I know that some years such as 1962 and 1984 seemed to be better than average, and some colours worse, but I have no experience of later models yet.

 

I am interested because I may want a late model one of these days, or perhaps not.....

 

It is mainly the pre-paint preparation and painting process itself in my experience. Many parts of the shell internally on later Minis (post 90) have had no paint on the internal toeboard and bulkhead. Major inconsistencies as well, on my current shell, where the C-pillar meets the rear panel, one side has a healthy amount of seam sealer, where as the other does not!

[tiger99]

Thanks guys, that is useful info on what to look for. But I am now thinking that it may be better to stick to somewhat older models, where at least there was originally full paint coverage. I know exactly where those rust, which of course is just about everywhere, but not as quickly.

 

I have also noticed that certain colours are worse than others, and that is true of many other cars too. I saw a complete basket case of a metallic blue Mini in 1973, which was not all that old, only 8 or 9 years, but the sills, A panels, heelboard, floor, inner wings, boot lid (didn't bother to check valance and floor) and even the roof  were rotten. Shame, because at a distance it looked very nice. The rust had spread extensively under the paint, and was not all that obvious at the surface. It was scrapped, because in those days it would not even have fetched a tenner, unless the engine was exceptional. Today, I think it would be a re-shell job, as there may have been no panels not needing replacement.

 

I remember certain Fords, the MK2 Cortina and others of that era, had a problem with one metallic paint colour, I think it was Silver Fox. It used to peel off in large patches, and I saw lots of cars like that.