12 replies to this topic

[Howiestap]

Hi Everyone, had 3 minis back in the day now 57 and looking at buying a mint 1999 Cooper (15K) but here is my question. It is to be used daily as a local ‘run around’ but I will have to keep it in the drive (no garage ☹️) shall I go for it or run away? Thanks for any advice👍

[DeadSquare]

Go for it.  You won't find many others.

 

Rain doesn't hurt a well polished car.  SALT DOES.

 

You have had 3 Minis and seen others, so you know where they rust.  After sales underseal / rustproofing is not common these days because so many body panels are plastic, but ask around.

 

It is not that easy to do it yourself because to get at nooks, the car needs to be well up in the air.

 

It is vital to pressure wash away all mud /grit / etc: then, I quickly spray paint it with any light coloured water based paint.  a couple of days drying and I do the same with oil based paint and a week later I spray stuff called Zeibart, which is black and you can see where you have covered the light paint.

 

Good luck.

[mab01uk]

Also get a good steering wheel lock for wherever parked outside as classic Minis are an easy target for thieves, even the late ones with a factory alarm fitted.

 

Best steering wheel locks 2021/2022:-

https://www.autoexpr...-locks-20212022

Edited by mab01uk, 21 March 2024 - 06:06 PM.

[bpirie1000]

1999 would/should make the mini an mpi. Multi point injection.

These really do suffer from rust. Rover appear to have tightened the purse springs when ordering the metal for the panels on these. Usually under front head lamps. A.panels lower door skins and many many more bits.

If the minimis as sound as you suggest it will be fine.
Make sure you are

1. Prepared to get stuck in should you find anything.
2. Be prepared to fill the car with wax, in an effort to save the little car.
3. Do your homework on the service history of the car.
4. Make sure panel gaps are all good
5. Make sure you are not to intimidated driving the mini as a daily. Lots of people think the little car is too small in traffic and on fast roads these days...
6. Gives you all summer to find a new friend with a garage...


57 years young I will add........

[Davidmt]

55 here (almost 56) and just bought a 1275 GT Clubman to use as a local runaround too so definitely go for it!

That said I have not really used it yet as decided to strip it down and make improve it first but certainly intend to use it once back on the road.

I go to the gym several times and week and parking is a nightmare but I will be able to park the Mini anywhere 🤣.

[viz139]

58 with a1996 Equinox daily no problem. Friends aren't too keen on lifts especially if anyone has to get in the back.

A mint '99 with 15K isn't going to come cheap and it is going to rust living outside and the mileage increase with daily use so the value may drop quite a bit but it is a good place to start. It is fun to drive a Mini today in modern traffic especially when you watch somebody in a SUV brake suddenly when they realise they can't follow you through a gap in traffic.

[stuart bowes]

I assumed he meant 15k as in the price is £15,000  ?

[Quinlan minor]

I assumed he meant 15k as in the price is £15,000  ?

I think Viz139 meant 15,000 miles, given the context.

The OP may well mean price.

[stuart bowes]

exactly that's what I'm pointing out ;)

[Howiestap]

Hi thanks for the advice, just to clear up the confusion the car is wearing 56K mls and is priced at £15,000

[bpirie1000]

As nike say.



Just do it........

[pete l]

For 15K, it would have to be mint.

 

I don't think the rust problem on these cars has anything to do with the quality of the metal, if it was, then the middle of the roof would rust etc. It's the paint and lack of protection used at the factory and the mini design.

 

57 years young here with an MPI that I'm in the middle of restoring. Can't wait for it to be finished.

[roblightbody]

For a runaround,I personally would avoid the sportspack model (13" wheels), unless you're really sure you want it and have tested it. It will be different to what you remember from your original cars.

You could invest in a nice outdoor cover, I've got a good one and I'm sure it helps.

I'd also get it inspected underneath... If there's unprotected areas (MPi minis suffered a lack of paint underneath) I'd do something about it.

And yes, as the others say, just go for it!