7 replies to this topic

[Thea]

Hello.. I really need some advice.. I have a 1997 Cooper which the most reliable mini I’ve ever had and I’d like to
Keep for many more years - Anyway It’s rusting in the usual places.. A frames, headlights, bottom of doors.. I have been quoted £11k from a mini garage to replace wings, doors and a full respray and £3k from another classic car restoration garage to cut out the rust, treat it, build it back up and rest spray each side..
what do you think? It’s going to take ages to save £3k let alone 11!
I’ve had my mini 11years, I love it so much, I use every day except Nov-March when I put it in the garage.

Really need your thoughts…. Many thanks!

[cooperd70]

If you love your car and want to keep it for a very long time then make sure you take it to a decent bodywork specialist.
I've heard horror stories of folk taking their cherished cars to restorers and never getting them back.
The one that everyone on here would recommend is Ben on the Isle of Wight. His work is fantastic and would bring your car back to better than when it left the factory. He has a profile on here called Ben_O

Good luck on getting your cherished motor sorted 🙂

Edited by cooperd70, 24 October 2024 - 09:13 AM.

[sonikk4]

£11k for that, jeez!!!

So £3k for a respray is about right but again that depends on how much prep they have to do.

I sprayed my car myself and it still cost me over a grand but I had to build a booth, by filters, extractor, different paints, primers, fillers, spray gun etc.

You can buy reskinned doors and I do know from experience using the original doors is the best way forward but if you cannot weld etc then replacement is the way to go. Oh for anyone thinking it’s straight forward to skin a door, it’s not. The carcass will need work so welding will be required, getting the skin to sit correctly is a big thing.

The front panels are straight forward but that depends on whose panels you install. Heritage all the way, more expensive but far less hassle, Magnum can be very hit or miss.

I would look to see if there are any local mini clubs and ask for help etc from them.

You are to far away for me to help with the panel work otherwise I could have helped.

[JXC Mini GT]

I would contact Ben at Mill Road Garage for an estimate/quotation, he is always super busy but his work is outstanding and definitley worth the wait.

[eric67]

The cost of repair work is rocketing and some say that the value of our cars is falling so unless you have great sentimental attachment to your car it may be worth considering trading it in for something in better condition. - but if you do go ahead I would also recommend Ben at Mill Road.

[68Deluxe]

I don't think anyone should comment on the price until they have seen the car, There is always more rust than you can see and these jobs spiral into full restorations more often than not.

The other alternative is to learn to do some of the work yourself. 

 

I hope you save your car. 

[sonscar]

Just saying,not every owner or car needs a full restoration.Quality repairs are perfectly acceptable.Just accept that more repairs may be needed further down the road.Steve..

[sonikk4]

Thea, the other option is to learn a new skill set. Buy a welder or get some lessons then buy one.

You don’t need a huge amount of tools and the ones you do need can be bought quite cheaply. You may find you actually enjoy doing this sort of thing and who knows where that will take you.

A lot of our members have done just that, taken a leap of faith so to speak and now they have that ability to look after their cars.

Spraying is something best left to the professionals to be honest. There are numerous health concerns to consider, the equipment you will need etc. I’m lucky in the fact I can turn my hand to most things and also willing to learn as well. I know my limits with what I can do. Spraying is something I taught myself, not perfect I have to say but I can rectify the issues I had. BUT I was lucky to have a barn that I could build a temp spray booth. With the help from Ben on here he gave me some guidance for material to use, paint primer etc. The spray gun I bought was actually good value, not top of the range but it did the job nicely. You can see the results in my signature Project Paddy.

With regards to welding, if you decide to bite the bullet and go for it yourself, we can give you guidance with what do.