7 replies to this topic

[1972MK3]

Hi,

Just thought I would introduce myself and my (son’s) Mini.  

It’s a 1972 MK3, and it was something of an emotional purchase.  We’ve had it a couple of years knowing that it was going to need some work on the dreaded rust at some stage.  That stage has now, sadly, arrived.  I’ve had a couple of Minis in the past, but years ago, and I’m well out of touch with how much it will cost to put right. We don’t realistically have the space or the skills to do the welding work ourselves.

I’ve had a quote for the work, and it is, er…a lot (in my eyes anyway). Essentially this is what we have to do:
O/S (Offside, right-hand) & N/S (nearside, left-hand) Front Floor Corners are rotten;
- O/S & N/S Subframe Mounts (Rear Floor Corners) are rotten;
- N/S Apex Panel is badly corroded, with hole;
- N/S Front Section (forward of front wing) is badly corroded;
- Front Valance & Bumper Lip is corroded;
- O/S Headlight Panel is corroded (bubbling under paintwork);
- O/S Front Wing is corroded;
- O/S Scuttle Panel to Front Wing area is corroded;
- O/S Outer & Inner Sills are badly corroded, with holes;
- O/S Rear Inner Wing is badly corroded, with holes;
- Boot Floor is corroded, with hole;
- Rear Valance & Bumper Lip is corroded.

and the quote is £7.5k + VAT including new panels where required, new subframe with mounts and brake lines, and paintwork on the repaired sections.  You can imagine that by the time this and that has been added it will be £10k.

The question is not whether it’s worth it, as it is worth saving any Mini, but whether this is a realistic quote or not.  The alternative is to do a patch-up job and then revisit it in the future, but if this is actually a reasonable quote then we’ll just end up wasting time and money by patching it up now.  So, any view would be appreciated.

By the way, hello and greetings from Cornwall!

 

 

 

[Chris1275gt]

Sorry I have no idea if that quote is realistic but with a quick internet search, I see you could get a new body shell for that price.

[Minigman]

Having just spent £16k rebuilding a mk3 I’d say that is about right. The quote started at £7k which is what I agreed and it just snow balled from there. The engine was £4.5k worth though and I paid quite a bit for twin HS4s to be rebuilt and Rostyle wheels and original interior bits and pieces.

Previous to that I had similar quotes for a Mk1 which included £3.5k worth of panels.

I’m just having my other mk1 done at the moment which is about £2.5k worth of panels (full floors and boot etc etc.) my mate is doing it at mates rates and that will end up near £6k total but I’ve done the engine myself previously and other mechanicals.

I’m Devon based by the way and found a lot of SW companies to be out of touch with reality and I wouldn’t use another ‘local’ company for anything mini related, be it engine building or bodywork.

Edited by Minigman, 27 April 2020 - 04:49 PM.

[Homersimpson]

What are they doing for 7.5K? If they are replacing lots of panels and repainting the car its probably reasonable (maybe even cheap), if all they are doing is patching and using panels where they have to and just painting what they need to then it sounds a lot of money once VAT is added.

 

Ben on here at Mill Road garage would be worth asking, his work is excellent and he may be able to give you some idea of cost to repair the car properly if you have any photos.

[1972MK3]

Well, I bit the bullet and got a local metalwork guy to cut out all the rotten metal,repair and replace where necessary, and he's done a good job I have to say.  Complete new paint then, all seals, some new glass, pretty much all new interior, and returned to Mk3 spec where possible.  Very pleased with the result.

 

However, the engine has been in and out, and she now drives like an absolute dog.  The timing was done, but she's running very rich and there is some hesitation, so she clearly needs a good tune up.  The engine was refurbed not that long ago. The clutch was also relatively new, but now I have to hammer her into gear.  Anything obvious I should check on?

 

Otherwise, does anyone have a recommendation of a good tuner (preferably in Cornwall given we are currently in Tier 2, and can still move about a bit)?

 

Cheers,

[Maccmike8]

Maybe spend some time with your son learning to weld and do some yourself?

[Ethel]

Clutch could be slave cylinder related if it's been sat a while. See if it still pushes throw out stop against the clutch cover when the pedal's held down & check for  wetness under the slave cylinder boot.

 

Tuning up a Mk3 shouldn't be too difficult & a worthwhile learning experience. Always start with the ignition first, but again, if it's sat a while it could just be stale petrol and/or a gummed up carb.

[SolarB]

Mk3s are increasingly in demand and their value is increasing. I'd say it's well worth saving if it has most of it's original features.

Do you have somewhere to work on it? Learning to do the work yourself is really rewarding and saves a shed load of money.