448 replies to this topic

[Tanya]

I'll get some quotes for Matilda's surgery & keep my eyes peeled for rebuilt bargains (do they actually exist?!!).

Time off the road will be a pain unless I can get a courtesy car.

I think the problem is that the majority of people who sink considerable time or money in to their minis are probably going to keep them for sometime as you lose so much if you sell. My 2000 mpi has had a professional doors forward refurb and a gearbox rebuild and it cost me around £7000. Granted, I’m sure I could have got the job done cheaper, but I did know that I was getting a worry free top job and I am very happy with it. I have an agreed value of £7,500 but I don’t think it’s worth that on the open market. If I had ever had any intention of selling him, I would never have spent that much, just tarted him up. His refurb took about 6 weeks.

You might get lucky and find someone who has a good one who’s in a position where they have to sell or someone who has done the work themselves and is now bored. I feel it is difficult with people who have done the work themselves because unless you know them well, it can be hard to be sure it really is a good job.

[Ethel]

I thought you were making your own courtesy car? Wouldn't the best time to do it be when Tommy is ready for the road again?

[Juju]

I thought you were making your own courtesy car? Wouldn't the best time to do it be when Tommy is ready for the road again?

That was the original plan, yes.

However.......
1. I don't know when he'll be ready & Matilda needs attention before winter
2. He's probably not going to be courtesy car material. Leaving him on our road at night isn't an attractive (or insurable!) prospect.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Could be cheaper in the long run to rebuild Matilda into a new heritage shell!! Sounds drastic I know, but she would be soild for many years to come and you know how much you love her.. Go on JuJu, she is to good to send away. Could you sleep at night worring if she was ok!! I feel for you though, I ended up deciding to repair "Haggis", really wish id bought a new shell because every time a bit came off there was more rust to deal with. just got in so far it was to late to stop. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. XX

[Kam]

I still can't believe Ju this is the same car that I went to germini and back with????? and your thinking of selling her?????

Car runs sweet as, would be a shame if you did sell, too much effort gone into it

[Juju]

I still can't believe Ju this is the same car that I went to germini and back with????? and your thinking of selling her?????

Car runs sweet as, would be a shame if you did sell, too much effort gone into it

I know, Kam. She's the same lovely brrrrm, just with added crumbly bits.

[Mini_Magic]

Still looking fantastic, despite the rust

Edited by Mini_Magic, 13 April 2011 - 11:48 AM.

[Juju]

'tilda's now permanently tearstained with rusticles so a kind uncle bought her a new tax disc holder to cheer her up.

Attached Files

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[Juju]

Quick update on resto vs. replacement:

Looks like we can get away with just doing the front end this year with half a respray too . Quotes aren't cheap (but are they ever? ).

So she'll have her face-to-rear-quarters all solid, waterproof & shiney by winter.

I'll still continue the hunt for her replacement, but I don't expect I'll find the perfect upgrade for her very easily.

What I'm after is a LOW mileage Red Cooper S Mpi (sportspack or otherwise) with full black leather interior, NO sunroof & perfect bodywork. If I don't find one in the next 6 months to a year year, then I shall keep her ladyship in tippity-top-ship-shape-and-Bristol-fashion.

[bcjames]

Good news Juju! And you know you wan't to keep Matilda!

[Juju]

Good news Juju! And you know you wan't to keep Matilda!

Yer if I don't find a red cooper S, then 'tilda might just get her 90bhp upgrade courtesy of Mr Mike Raven!

[Pitcrew6464]

love that tax disc!

[Juju]

'tilda's front end and side bits resto is now well under way. All plans to replace her with a red cooper S have been abandoned & money has now been p*ssed-up-the-wall on her instead.

This is her last night:



Her Uncle Sean's giving her loadsa TLC, but I didn't expect her to be this nakey, if I'm honest.

[Juju]

All those annying bubbley bits have been sorted.



This door hinge had been rusting from the inside out since a year after I got her. Four years later & I was starting to worry about getting in & out on the driver's side. Now sweet & tidy.




Scuttle is no longer a digestive biscuit.



And with Sean's work, you just cannae see any joins. Love it.


Tommy's just sitting next door, so they can keep each other company.

Edited by Juju, 01 November 2011 - 08:52 AM.

[Juju]

I might have accidentally ordered Matilda a Mk1 'tache & grille yesterday.