149 replies to this topic

[eripmav]

Yes, I definitely don't want a project car, as it were. I'm looking for something I can nip around in, with the odd long journey down south to see my Mum now and again and for meeting clients (when and if need be).

I've got a very good mechanic that I can rely on, always telling me how he likes working on Mini's etc and he's done sterling work on the wife's Cruiser - but a Mini is a totally different beast.

My thinking was, I could get something where it's essentially sound but what would allow me to learn the basics of tinkering. Nothing major like welding, I'm not good with my hands these days - so it wouldn't turn out so well!

[eripmav]

CityEPete - your car looks stunning. You should be very proud of what you've done.

[Cooperman]

Yes, I definitely don't want a project car, as it were. I'm looking for something I can nip around in, with the odd long journey down south to see my Mum now and again and for meeting clients (when and if need be).

I've got a very good mechanic that I can rely on, always telling me how he likes working on Mini's etc and he's done sterling work on the wife's Cruiser - but a Mini is a totally different beast.

My thinking was, I could get something where it's essentially sound but what would allow me to learn the basics of tinkering. Nothing major like welding, I'm not good with my hands these days - so it wouldn't turn out so well!

The mechanical work is relatively easy- even an engine build if/when necessary - especially with help from all of us on here.

The biggest problem is the bodywork which can and does suffer from rust-worm.

Have a good look around and find the best you can for the money. So long as you find any corrosion before buying and the price paid reflects this, then once the work is professionally done you'll have a super and sound car.

Then do whatever mech. work is needed. Mech work will typically involve suspension bushes, brakes, cylinder head (valves/ guides/seals), exhaust system renewal, engine mounting change, fitting new hoses, etc., all of which is simple and good for learning.

Don't buy a car which smokes or which puffs smoke out of the oil filler cap at tickover so that you won't need to do any deep engine work for some time.

If I lived nearer I would be happy to come and view some cars with you, but it's a long way from Cambridge to Bolton!

Good luck with your search. You'll enjoy owning and fixing a Mini.

[eripmav]

Thanks, Cooperman. I'm kind of hoping that I'll either see one for sale on here, or that the mechanic I know comes up trumps.

I assumed I'd need around the £2.5k mark for a reasonably basic car, with around £500 set aside for any work that needs immediate attention.

I am sorry to sound so absolutely dumb on this, starting to think I'm in a bit over my head.

[mina08]

No your not over your head, just look for advice where you can and read as  much as possible on here or other forums, i wanted a mini since i sat in one in 1979, and i only just bought one 2 months, just shop around and look at as many as possible, try to find one on here or some one who is into mini's. I have spent around a 1000gbp on mine and bought it for 3000. You learn quickly on these cars and there is plenty of help on forums, parts are not to expensive. Join a club and i am sure there are lots of owners in your area. 

[CMXCVIII]

Thanks, Cooperman. I'm kind of hoping that I'll either see one for sale on here, or that the mechanic I know comes up trumps.

I assumed I'd need around the £2.5k mark for a reasonably basic car, with around £500 set aside for any work that needs immediate attention.

I am sorry to sound so absolutely dumb on this, starting to think I'm in a bit over my head.

 

 

Leaving some money set aside for immediate attention isn't "over your head", it's totally sensible when you buy any car!

 

After all, at best the seller is only selling it because they've got bored with it. Quite often that boredom comes from having to deal with one annoying problem too many!    

 

Jon

[eripmav]

Cheers mina08 and CMXCVIII. it's not the setting money aside that's over my head. It's the fundamental areas of knowledge needed that's proving to be a bit daunting.

[Cooperman]

All the Mini-Docs on here, plus many other owners will help in any and every way we can. As a group we are all into keeping these little classic cars going well.

Don't be afraid to ask any question as no question is stupid if you don't know the answer, but it does help if you do a forum search first as most questions you have will have been asked before and fully answered.

You will get different opinions from different people, but then you can select which answer you like the best and that also helps you to learn.

A good toolkit with Imperial (inch) spanners is necessary. Halfords do some super tool kits and some are on special offer this month. Buy the specialist ones as you need them, like a suspension compression tool, flywheel puller, ball-pin splitter (sounds painful!).

Now you can join us with the banter in Mini Chat and Motor Mouth sections.

 

Good luck with your search and Happy New Year.

[jpw1275]

Hi, when I mentioned a project..... It's going to end up as a project at some point and body panels will need replacing etc

Cheers james

[eripmav]

Thanks Cooperman. I think if I had a garage, I'd be more inclined to be more hands on, as it were. But the house we own has a piddly yard, sadly not even viable to pull the thing into. So it'd have to be jobs I'm able to pull off at the side of the road etc. I'll look into a good toolkit now, I have some Amazon vouchers burning a hole..

[spiguy]

Good advice from everyone here, nothing I can think of to add other than to say that if you come across the option of a Jap import which has been recently brought over, then consider it. I got one at the same price as all the usual UK stuff, and it is almost completely rust free. You don't see that many up for sale, but just thought it was worth mentioning.

 

You really would benefit from taking an experienced mini owner with you. Could you approach a local mini owners club and join?  Explain your position and maybe someone there could help. It's so easy to make a very rusty mini seem to be in great condition, and if you are not familiar with how they are built then it's hard to know where and how to look, whereas an experienced mini owner would be able to do that. Could save an expensive mistake.

Edited by spiguy, 01 January 2016 - 01:56 PM.

[some1158]

Some general thoughts...

 

Don't discount an Auto - they tend to be cheaper but often are the classic 'one elderly lady owner' cars that have barely been driven and therefore have good bodywork. Just check that they have been serviced regularly as the Mini auto is an unusual setup which needs frequent oil changes.

 

Check the bodywork everywhere. Download the Minifinity buyers' guide and have a look at the pinned thread on this forum regarding oversills as you don't really want a car with them

 

Be aware that dealer prices carry a premium and that eBay listed prices may be crazy - have a look at sold/completed listings to see what the cars are actually going for.

Engine mechanicals are usually straightforward to fix - body rust is the killer. These cars rust from inside out so often what is claimed to be 'surface rust' is anything but.

 

While being handy with the car will save you money, it's not everything if you're happy to pay a decent garage to do what you can't or don't want to. I'm happy to leave the bodywork on my 1989 to the garage and budget a certain amount of money each year to pay them to tackle some of the jobs on the longlist, which after four years is now mercifully short.

[sonikk4]

Judging by what's been said most things have been covered. 

 

Do take a someone along who knows their way around mini's. Its too easy for a car to be covered in pug, a quick flash over with paint and you have a car that looks mint. 

 

Do buy a Haynes manual or workshop manual there are plenty out there. Get yourself a basic tool kit as well.

 

One thing i will say if a car looks too good for its price then it probably is. £2.5k will get you a good little car. Try and get something standard so at least that way you know it wont have been messed with.

[eripmav]

Won't a Japanese import have detrimental impact on insurance cost, spiguy?

[eripmav]

Sonikk4 and some1158 - cheers guys. The wife nabbed me a Haynes book for Christmas.

The wife loves driving an auto in the states, I've personally never driven one - so a bit wary. I'm wracking my brains trying to think of someone au fait with the cars. But being a southern transplant in the cold north, I honestly don't know anyone - let alone someone who knows about the cars.