29 replies to this topic

[Mini-Mouse]

Hey all! If you don't mind me asking, how much do you pay a year for upkeep on your mini? I'm talking about things like servicing, parts, waxoyling etc. I'm just trying to get an idea because money's tight but I would love my own mini. I just don't want to invest in one and find I have to sell it a few months down the line.
It will be garaged and will probably only cover about 2000 miles a year, but no expense will be spared in terms of parts, servicing and rust repair.
Thanks guys.

[Richie83]

Too much. I genuinely wouldn't ever add it up. It's my hobby though, so it's worth the expense.

[carbon]

If you get one with decent body, and it's kept in garage then you should not have much rust repairing needed. Just don't use it when there is salt on the roads, this is a killer.

 

If you can do all your own servicing it can be a very cost-effective runabout.

 

If you're paying full whack garage rates then will not be so cheap to run. Even at 2000 miles a year you should still do an oil change, this is more critical if it is only used for short runs as the oil won't get hot enough and you will get condensation building up in the motor.

[Mini-Mouse]

 
If you can do all your own servicing it can be a very cost-effective runabout.
 
If you're paying full whack garage rates then will not be so cheap to run.

God, with a rust reputation like they have I would never dream of taking one on salted roads! I have little mechanical knowledge at the moment but plan to use the car to learn, so I would say 50-50 garage and DIY. What sort of price bracket are we talking? Do you reckon £4000 a year would cut it?

[Shifty]

Think of a number and then double it, especially if you're paying someone else to do the work

[ukcooper]

if moneys tight don't do it. I spend at least 2k probably more like 5k on updating maintenance.

Old saying - if you want lose ya kids, wife and house get a race car. hobby cars are not much different.

Edited by ukcooper, 25 August 2016 - 08:28 PM.

[dyshipfakta]

normal maintenance costs peanuts and is very do able. Oil changes ignition refresh brake services bushes etc cost very little and if well looked after the little A can be very reliable and see 100k plus easily before major work. Cost of rust repairs is the killer in terms of cost. If it's garaged and a fair weather car costs will be low.
Outside and a daily it's gonna cost a lot.

[ToadConsulting]

@ukcooper - 5k is that per year???  Crikey.. 

[FAZ]

depends how much the car means to you / you need it for daily commute

[FlyingScot]

My Cooper Spi does that kind of mileage a year, I spent realistically about £250 per year on average over the last few years. This has included replacing worn out or failed parts as well as routine servicing. It also includes tins of Bilthamber wax for the body - it's a Japanese import so I'm trying to keep the rust at bay. Even with this I recon on reskinning the doors over the next 2-3 years and the gearbox will need rebuilt at some point but it won't push the average cost up too much as they will be done over a few years and I have replaced much of what the car needed now so it's mainly servicing and body wax.

I'm doing it myself by the way so not garage labour rates just parts and tools

FS

[Broomer]

if moneys tight don't do it. I spend at least 2k probably more like 5k on updating maintenance.Old saying - if you want lose ya kids, wife and house get a race car. hobby cars are not much different.

2000? Wow

Edited by Broomer, 26 August 2016 - 01:23 PM.

[carbon]

My estimated annual maintenance costs for a '71 Mini are very close to Flying Scot's, this also does about 2,000 to 3,000 miles a year.

 

About £250 a year on maintenance sounds right:

- £50 on couple gallons oil plus oil filter (one change plus top-ups)

- £50 for MOT

- £150 a year for 'consumables' such as brakes, exhaust and tyres

[Trissy B]

Yeah similar for me, about £200 for an MOT and dealing with failures + £200 on various other bits over the year perhaps and servicing.

 

£5k?!! you could buy a brand new engine for that!

[pusb]

I've owned mine for nearly 3 years now. If your talking about money that had to be spent on it, rather than money that I actually have spent on it, then probably no more than £150 a year + road tax.

 

There are two problems with owning a Mini. First is that there are literally thousands of accessories and nice shiny parts that you can lavish on it. Its easy to want nice new door cards, carpets, overiders etc once you see them.

 

Second, if you are new to maintaining/repairing your own car (as I was when I bought it), then its very easy to make mistakes that lead to higher repair bills. Or its even easier to order the wrong parts which means buying twice.

 

If you plan on buying a Mini, not change anything cosmetically, and carefully plan any repairs/maintenance then you won't spend that much at all.

[ukcooper]

Mines spoiled it wants it gets, it wobbles breaks or looks bad it get replaced asap with the best I can find. last job rear sub frame £1500ish I guess parts only .

Edited by ukcooper, 26 August 2016 - 08:27 PM.