17 replies to this topic

[DanJones96]

So, some of you may remember me posting a few days ago about some wheels on a '74 that turned out to be a slightly dodgy, possibly ringed car.
Well tomorrow is the day i was meant to pick that car up but now as im not, im making use of my time off to view another mini, this time a slightly newer one '92. Just thought id post on here to get opinions before i do something stupid like commit to a dodgy car again

Here is the link
https://www.gumtree....mini/1142829691

Opinions appreciated
Thanks
Dan

[mini1976]

Looks nice,

 

My thoughts would be that I'm not sure the angle eye headlights are actually technically legal (may depend on the brand) but many people have them. Also with the 1380 engine you might want to find out how old it is, who built it etc. 1380 is about as large as you can bore out the engine and so would mean that if it is worn out you will need to replace the engine. May well be fine but just worth considering and the same as any other engine, check the oil for the mayo type signs that is a sign of a head gasket issue, smoke from the exhaust while running or when you lift of the throttle down a hill.

Deep dish/ large wheels can rub on the body and will probably mean that your ball joints wont last as long as if they were more normal sized wheels.

 

Other than that just check for rust like you would with any mini

[Stu.]

Looks tidy to me. I'd be taking along my magnet and overalls though, and also my gauge to check the cylinders if I were allowed to.

The asking price seems reasonable assuming a little haggling is on the table.

Good luck.

[dyshipfakta]

Add is abit vague and pics abit useless. Looks nice but it's easy to make something look nice in pics. What welding works been done ? How well? Etc etc

[Rocket.]

Look for rust and oversills

[megamini_jb]

Looks good, again check it doesn't have oversills and check all over for rust, but yeah looks a fairly honest mini.

[blackbelt1990]

Looks good, ironically it's probably "older" than the one you were going to buy!

[CityEPete]

That looks a fair price to me, personally I wouldn't want the 1380.

[DanJones96]

Went and seen it today, was very nice.. The guy said its got a straight cut gearbox, i didnt test drive it thought. Only concern is that what if hes lying about the straight cut box and it has a normal helical gearbox and its just knackered? Im going back tomorrow so ill make sure i teat drive before handing money over but is there any way to be 100% that it is an actual straight cut box and not just a worn out normal gearbox making a racket? Dont think he has any receipts for it

[Batmini]

One word, trust.

Without stripping the engine and box you won't really be 100%.

I know you nearly got burnt with the last one, but not everyone is out to rob you.

If you don't know much about cars, get it aa/rac inspected. Most buyers that are genuine don't mind so long as you don't try and beat them down to an unreasonable price afterwards.

[DanJones96]

I know a far bit about cars and engines in general, ive stripped and rebuild many and my dad is also a mechanic but ive only just started learning about mini's. I will test drive it later today and take my dad with me hopefully its all sound, even in worst case scenario, if he has lied then i have to change the gearbox, which isnt the end of the world

[Tamworthbay]

Straight cut boxes whine VERY loudly in all gears, I can't I aging even a knackered helical box could sound even close to that in even gear.

[Batmini]

I know a far bit about cars and engines in general, ive stripped and rebuild many and my dad is also a mechanic but ive only just started learning about mini's. I will test drive it later today and take my dad with me hopefully its all sound, even in worst case scenario, if he has lied then i have to change the gearbox, which isnt the end of the world

Bit of a pain to change in a mini, but not too bad as you say.

As others have said, look out for rust, bodged repairs etc other than that, good luck.

[jpw1275]

Looks a lot better than the last one and as an aged related shell .... :0)

As others have said check for rust and over sills , but at £2500 I would expect some rust ..... Just depends if it's a daily driver or more than a hobby which you can spend time on stripping and rebuilding .... I paid £1300 for my 1973 .... Had it on the road for the duration of its mot then took it off the road to work on it and that was 4 years ago .....oooops

Cheers james

[DanJones96]

So, i bought it.. Picked it up yesterday. Got insured at a bargain price of £880 ( that is very good for me ) . Drove it away from the guy, got probably 30s down the road before it cut out.... It was absolutely throwing it down at the time, my dad forgot to pick up the tools and WD40 so we had nothing. Rang the AA and tbey arrived 2 hours later, the points had come undone on the dizzy so he adjusted it retightened ect and away we went, did 90 miles flawlessly and i fell in love with it, got it to my home town and the first speed bump killed it again, luckily as we was close to home my dad got the tools came back and the same thing happened again, we adjusted it and got it to my dads unit left it there overnivht. This morning went to it and it wouldnt run for more than 30s before the points would move again. Had a close look at the red plastic had melted. Luckily the guy gave us a brand new point so we fitted that and its not been a problem as of yet, but im curious. Why would it melt? Did the AA guy get the clearance wrong? Or is the cap short circuiting and sparking on the inside causing excess heat?