22 replies to this topic

[Zach P-D]

About a month ago my 91 City-E came off the road for a long overdue restoration, the plan was to start soon and try and hopefully get it done before winter so we (myself and my father) don't end up doing it in the freezing cold. However it's been a month to the day and nothing has happened. 
I'm 19 years old, somewhat decent as a mechanic but still a lot to learn, decent with a welder and some power tools here and there. I was just wondering if it would be something I could tackle on my own as it appears the father isn't overly interested in working on it, or if I should just spend the money to have it done properly at my local ish Mini specialist. 
The main work that needs doing is front end, scuttle/wings/drivers door, rear valance and a few patches here and there.. so I'm just wondering if a newbie mechanic could do, or at least attempt to do all of this?

[Shifty]

Its not hard, but be prepared for more work than you think!!

 

The deeper you dig, the more you'll find!!

 

If you need a hand drop me a PM as I'm in Telford as well

[miniQ]

Not hard

 

This is what you need:

 

1. Time

2. Perseverance

3. A clear plan of attack

4. more time

 

and maybe some money and decent indoor working space (depending on the work you're doing)

 

Remember tools are investments...

youtube and the internet have guides to EVERYTHING. The plan of attack could take as much time as doing the work itself...if not longer.

 

Too often people jump into things head first and end up unmotivated and out of pocket. Why I've been here for 7 years and still not bought a mini...although things may change very soon.

 

Before the teardown & strip make sure you are meticulous and organized in the storage of parts otherwise you may lose the will to put it back together again!

 

Personally If I were to restore the parts you mentioned i'd end up stripping the whole car down to the bare shell and doing a FULL restoration with minimal compromise (= time & money) 

 

or you could be lazy and just buy a fibreglass front end!

 

Last but not least remember to wear safety gear...

 

Here watch this front end replacement series (whole thing available on youtube not just this 1 video):

 

Edited by miniQ, 05 September 2016 - 11:42 PM.

[Mini 360]

Depends on what level of 'restoration' you want to achieve.  The definition of which varies from person to person.  Some will throw gorilla snot welds and roller paint on their car and call it restored (as wrong as they may be...) and others go full nut and bolt rebuild with no expense spent and total parts and labour bills going into the multiple tens of thousands.  

 

What do you want to achieve in the end?  New panels obviously need doing so if you decide to have a go yourself, grab some old panels from a scrappys and practice on that first.

[dasupersprint]

One rule I've learned is that it will cost twice as much as you think and it'll take 10 times the time you thought. So, yeah.

[Zach P-D]

I am aware that you will find more rot etc the further in you go, I have the replacement panels already thanks to MITP. I'm not looking for a full nut and bolt restoration but I can imagine the whole interior will need to be gutted, dash removed and a lot of work. Also thinking while i'm at it to go about some of the mods I am wanting to do such as HiLo's stage one exhaust, new wheels/tyres/arches etc. 
It's just a shame to see it sat in my shed, the plan was to take it off the road around May of this year (yeah, that went well) but insurance was a pain as i was 18 at the time and myself and the old man wanted to get it done by about now. 

[Steve220]

You're at a point similar to me. The car is in bits but I'm not sure I trust myself to do the work! Got a few quotes from restoration companies but they're all coming in over my budget so tempted to give some of it a go myself! My car is also in Telford lol.

[mab01uk]

The strip down of a complete Mini is fairly easy and quick compared to the rebuild and restoration which takes much more time, motivation and money than most expect, which is why ebay has so many unfinished and abandoned projects....

Sometimes it is better to do smaller projects to begin with as part of a rolling restoration to build up your skills and knowledge of how much time and money is needed and whether it fits in ok with your other everyday life and work commitments.

Edited by mab01uk, 06 September 2016 - 08:50 AM.

[Chris1992]

It's easily doable, you just need a hell of a lot of time and patience. I was 17 when I bought my mini as a bare shell. 6 years on, and I'm now nearing the end of my second nut and bolt rebuild. Never had any idea what I was doing, just made sure that I did all the research I could and learnt as I went along. Also, setting yourself a deadline is not necessarily the best idea, as if you miss it then it will only dishearten you (I speak from experience on multiple occasions). The restoration process is fun once you get into the swing of things, so just take all the time you need, and use the thought of driving the car in the future as your motivation 

[Carlos W]

One rule I've learned is that it will cost twice as much as you think and it'll take 10 times the time you thought. So, yeah.

 

You've been a member here longer than me. Why didn't you tell me this 6 years ago?

[Zach P-D]

Also thinking, while it's off the road might as well perk it up a bit, instead of making a new thread im gonna ask here, whats the best way to perk up the 998. I have a stage one waiting to be fitted but thinking of a few other bits and bobs that could get her a little nippier that I could do in the process. Thinking of a cam but im not sure on which one as id like an increase in both torque and hp, I have David Vizard's how to tune an A series engine book but thinking what is the best surefire way to make the 998 have a bit more oomph...

[dyshipfakta]

A guy local to me has a 998 and with a stage one and mg metro cam
gave 50hp and felt really grunty. That what I would love to do with mine eventually.

Edited by dyshipfakta, 06 September 2016 - 06:11 PM.

[alex-95]

As said easily doable, but can take a hell of a lot of time and money. got mine when I was 14, 6 1/2 years on It's still not on the road...

Edited by alex-95, 06 September 2016 - 06:00 PM.

[Shifty]

You're at a point similar to me. The car is in bits but I'm not sure I trust myself to do the work! Got a few quotes from restoration companies but they're all coming in over my budget so tempted to give some of it a go myself! My car is also in Telford lol.

If you want any advice drop me a PM, if i can help I will!!

[bangermadness08]

I was in the exact same boat (without the father bit thou) it's been of the road for 4yrs I had good general knowledge but Christ I've come on leaps and bounds ivecreally got stuck into it this yr and it's nearly done on welding best thing is just go straight in andget stuck in start with the front end as it's the most easy bit to do and work you're way from there the more u do the more u learn I never evern used a welder before until Xmas last now I'm really good it's all about time patience and never afraid to ask for adive