Passed Test
Posted 11 April 2025 - 08:19 AM
Just a query really, my Mk3 s shell is in a bad way but I'd like to preserve as much of it as possible, I've seen a company called minimine in Stoke, it would be ideal for me living 30 minutes away, the website looks good and general feedback is good, and I see they have a cracking looking Mk3 S in the same colour as mine, but has anyone on here used them for shell restoration, panel replacement and paint work?
thanks
How bad can it Be?
Posted 11 April 2025 - 09:29 AM
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 11 April 2025 - 11:44 AM
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 11 April 2025 - 03:37 PM
How bad can it Be?
Posted 11 April 2025 - 08:09 PM
I've found that being able to drop into the workshop at short notice to discuss problems as they arise and agree a way forward is really important. Not everything can be easily sorted by text or phone. Go and have a cuppa and a chat with minimine.
Jason very good but long waiting list I think.
I do totally agree with this. I was popping into see the guys all the time, especially as we unearthed more and more issues with non-mini panels and bespoke fabrication.
Passed Test
Posted 13 April 2025 - 05:59 PM
Can’t comment on their workshop services I’m afraid, but have used them for parts, both mail order and in person, and have always found them very good service wise. A bit further away from you is https://www.classicm...rations.co.uk/. Jason and the guys took over my shell bodywork when I lost my workshop space. Did a great job of my Elf and all the panel fabrication that turns Mini panels into Elf items (it’s amazing how different how the Elf was to Mini of the same era).
Yes that's the general info I'm reading about is there mail order service and that's the way to keep customers, as for body work it will need a lot replacing and bits and bobs possibly fabricating so I'll take a look at that link, thanks
I've found that being able to drop into the workshop at short notice to discuss problems as they arise and agree a way forward is really important. Not everything can be easily sorted by text or phone. Go and have a cuppa and a chat with minimine.
Jason very good but long waiting list I think.
Couldn't agree more, that is very important face to face and to see physically what's needed to be done, yes I will do one of the days, long waiting is ok as I have a lot of saving to do and still dealing with the DVLA so don't want to start stripping till that's sorted just in case they want to see it.
Like humph in only ordered parts from them but if there body work is half as good as the efficient speedy parts service is run you should be fine.
https://www.minimine.co.uk/workshop
Yes definitely, and if they did the Mk3 S themselves then that will also speak dividends.
I've found that being able to drop into the workshop at short notice to discuss problems as they arise and agree a way forward is really important. Not everything can be easily sorted by text or phone. Go and have a cuppa and a chat with minimine.
Jason very good but long waiting list I think.I do totally agree with this. I was popping into see the guys all the time, especially as we unearthed more and more issues with non-mini panels and bespoke fabrication.
Agree with both of you, my brother in law has his MK1 Austin Cooper done at a place in Bristol, did a great job but not just around the corner for a look and chat about what's needed next.
Passed Test
Posted 13 April 2025 - 06:00 PM
Cheers for all your replies guys 
Mini Mad
Posted 20 April 2025 - 07:44 PM
I have just had my MPi heritage shell done by Mini Medics. Welded in a roll cage and then sprayed the entire thing. Top job I am really impressed. check out my project thread for a link to some progress photos.
Passed Test
Posted 07 June 2025 - 08:48 AM
I have just had my MPi heritage shell done by Mini Medics. Welded in a roll cage and then sprayed the entire thing. Top job I am really impressed. check out my project thread for a link to some progress photos.
Sorry only just seen your reply @mdickson that's looking smart and that cage is a beast, I do want to use as much of the original shell as possible with mine, I had a rough cost of 20k 
but baring in mind the paint would be 6-7k so with that in mind it's possibly not to bad, you do get what you pay for in this day and age.
Speeding Along Now
Posted 07 June 2025 - 04:29 PM
Passed Test
Posted 07 June 2025 - 04:30 PM
6 to 7 thousand just for paint! Do we all think that is reasonable! Honestly, the world has gone bonkers.
That would include prep too, what would you say is reasonable then?
Speeding Along Now
Posted 07 June 2025 - 05:30 PM
Honestly MK3, I've no idea. Adding prep to the process changes it a lot. I was solely going off the thought that the cost of buying the paint for a mini was possibly 6 T 7 thousand pounds. That would be bonkers, in my view.6 to 7 thousand just for paint! Do we all think that is reasonable! Honestly, the world has gone bonkers.
That would include prep too, what would you say is reasonable then?
Passed Test
Posted 08 June 2025 - 06:36 AM
Honestly MK3, I've no idea. Adding prep to the process changes it a lot. I was solely going off the thought that the cost of buying the paint for a mini was possibly 6 T 7 thousand pounds. That would be bonkers, in my view.
6 to 7 thousand just for paint! Do we all think that is reasonable! Honestly, the world has gone bonkers.
That would include prep too, what would you say is reasonable then?
If you mean just to physically buy the paint then yes at 6 to 7k I would need my read, but to prep, prime and finally paint the shell, doors, bonnet, boot etc, I also have a 1960's Lambretta I have seen prices mentioned of 4k to paint one of those which is why I did it myself but my mini is a different ball game I want it to look mint as it's a mk3 S, if you look around minimime's website you will see their mk3 S in Bronze yellow, same place painted theirs and it looks pucker.
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 08 June 2025 - 05:46 PM
I used to have a mate paint my project cars when he ran his own business who I used to help out at times, now he has retired I've been doing them myself.
I reckon to prime, prep and paint a mini shell underneath, inside and on top in one colour and then a quick flat and polish would probably take me a good week, then add paint and materials and any repairs needed before you prime and its easy to see where the money goes.
My advice when looking for anyone to do anything big (car rebuild, major building work etc.) is avoid the person who can fit you in quickly, they may have a cancellation but usually it means that they aren't very good and hence not sort after. The firms who can't book you in for months are probably the ones to consider.
Passed Test
Posted 08 June 2025 - 06:24 PM
I used to have a mate paint my project cars when he ran his own business who I used to help out at times, now he has retired I've been doing them myself.
I reckon to prime, prep and paint a mini shell underneath, inside and on top in one colour and then a quick flat and polish would probably take me a good week, then add paint and materials and any repairs needed before you prime and its easy to see where the money goes.
My advice when looking for anyone to do anything big (car rebuild, major building work etc.) is avoid the person who can fit you in quickly, they may have a cancellation but usually it means that they aren't very good and hence not sort after. The firms who can't book you in for months are probably the ones to consider.
Yes totally agree with you, it's not a 5 minute job to prep and paint a car, even a small mini, especially to do it well and so it lasts (need it to last another 50 years the amount it will cost me, minimine have a 2 year waiting list so that speaks highly I would think.
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
