13 replies to this topic

[Ellie]

Hi, I'm Ellie, I've just bought my first mini.
A white Mayfair (not that you can tell its a Mayfair), with black stripes, a dodgy interior, and what seems to be a big list of problems.

Where do people recommend garage wise near the Launceston area?
My dad said it seems a bit under powered (but his last mini was a mark three cooper s), he thinks it could do with a service and tune up.

Any help will be massively appreciated.
Thanks
Ellie

[Remylebleu]

my advice when it comes to minis, is pick a job, fix it, then move onto the next, like you said, it probably needs a service, so do that first, plugs, leads, points oil, air filter etc.

 

 

does it have mot? is it a long term rebuild? or a ongoing project?

 

id worry about the cosmetics last, get it running right, and in a solid as can be condition, there change your interior, seats etc, then do the exterior (which ever order you prefer)

[Ellie]

Thanks for replying, it's got a good mot and to be fair, doesn't look bad from a distance, it's got the normal bubbling through the paint.
White, black and white chequered roof and black bonnet/boot stripes.
It's got alloys and arches, and stupidly narrow bucket seats, my dad doesn't fit into the seat at all.
The only bad thing interior wise, is the dash, if you can call it that.
I'll keep my eyes open in the classifieds......

Is the servicing easy to do or can anyone recommend anywhere?

Sorry for all the stupid newbie questions.

[Ben_O]

Welcome to the forum Ellie!

 

First thing i would say is get hold of a haynes workshop manual for the car and have a look through it.

 

The service work is very straight forward even for a beginner if you follow the manual.

If you get stuck with anything, then just post up on here and you will get people willing to reply with advice and experience.

 

Have fun and perhaps post up a couple of photographs so we can all admire your car!

 

Ben

[Remylebleu]

doesnt sound to bad at all. not a fan of buckets seats myself, other than the mg style cobras

 

witht he dash, the plenty of places that do custom ones or buy a plane one and just order some leatherette in whatever colodur you want and design your own

 

the service isnt hard, i wouldnt even say it require basic knowledge. but i would recomend strongly getting a haynes manual

 

the ht lead on the plugs pull off, just make sure they go on in the same order so tie one cable round the 1st, 2 round the 2nd and so on. the plugs just unscrew, air filter unclips and you replace the middle, points are a little more tricky but if your dads had a mini before he more than likely would of done this at some point. oil is easy,

 

but do get a manual

[Vinay-RS]

Hi Ellie, welcome to the forum :)

[Bungle]

don't you mean your from Lanston

 

welcome to the forum

[KernowCooper]

Spot on Bungle, I'm a bit suspect when they across the border say Lanceston

[Ellie]

That's what I meant to say, I'm from Lanson.
Just thought I'd let the up country folk understand!

[megamini_jb]

Welcome to the forum

[Devo]

Hello Ellie welcome to the forum, loving the thread title by the way 

[Ellie]

Hello Ellie welcome to the forum, loving the thread title by the way 

It should be titled "new girl with old mini that stinks of petrol"

[Bungle]

From Lanson

[Ellie]

Anybody local to launceston who can come and test drive my mini, my dad thinks there is something missing "it doesn't feel right" he says. Seem to be holding back though the revs