Hello One And All!

[Deleted]

Evening!
My name is Chris, i'm from Hastings and i've recently taken and interest in Mini's!

I've always been into modified cars, and regularly attend a number of car shows. I currently own a Ford Fiesta Zetec S, but am looking into buying a mini.

Basically, i've decided that i would like to learn more about cars, so i've been looking into college courses. I have applied for a course in vehicle restoration and am waiting to hear from them.
I have been looking into cars that i could learn on or maybe take on as a project. Bearing in mind i have virtualy no experience mechanically or body-wise, i thought a mini would be a good place to start, as they are small, relatively cheap, and easy to come by.

I would be very greatful if anyone could give me some advice with my situation. What type of mini would you reccomend buying? where is the best place to start? Or which courses do you reccomend?

Thanks,
Chris.

[monkeyjim]

hi chris

basically, by the best you can afford , try and buy one with disc brakes , they were standard fit from 1985 although lots of early ones have been converted from drums to discs. Look beyond the flash seats , spot lights ,big wheels and arches and concentrate on finding a car with excellent bodywork. Also take someone who knows about minis with you when you look at one.

Will have a 1994 1275cc mini mayfair for sale at the end of September , its got under 19,000 miles on the clock is in excellent condition and standard spec. want around £2000. look at the ads in the mini magazines , dealers are selling similar cars for
£3-4000 .

Dave

Our next meeting is on monday, come and say hello

[Deleted]

Cheers for the comment Dave.

I think i will have to buy one thats in a poorer condition for under £1000 that i can maybe do-up/restore.
It will be a second car so i can't afford anything too flash for now.

Sound slike a nice car you've got there tho, if only i had 2k to play with

[Simon1275mpi]

Welcome Chris, ;D

There's a good catch for £850 from Matt.

We've had arguments time and time again about which mini's to buy, cheap with rot or new with rot. What ever happens mini's are not cheap to buy and run......they are all rusting, unless you are prepared to get under the bonnet at least once a month and do a round of maintenance. I struggle to do that!! Rust is the key item to prevent and remove on first sight.

At least get a car with no structural welding to do, wings and the panel in front of the doors are easy. When you find holes in the floor pan, boot and roof, be prepared hand out some cash/ lot's of college time.

Dave's £2000 motor with no miles on the clock is a steal.

P.S. if you get a classic or a mint car, please dint cut it up with big arch's, body kit and bling paint , buy a rotter for that, then I'd buy you a pint

See you at the club

Si

[Deleted]

Why do mini's rust so easily? Is it the type of metal they were manufactured with, or is it just the design?

If i were to learn bodyshop skills, is there a way of modifying the bodywork to ease rusting problems?

[speedgenius]

i know some of the later minis (late 80's, early 90's) rust easily due to poor rust proofing (or even no rust proofing) by rover! the older ones probably just rust coz they are old. as for mods to make them less rust proof... i dunno. but buying an old one, repairing the rust and doing some decent rust proofing with waxoyl etc. should make it last longer than one out of the factory!
welcome to edmc

[Simon1275mpi]

All British cars are legends for Rust,

Mini's are low to the ground with lots of water traps, the sills!!. The cars after only a few years spring leaks, wet carpets etc rust away the floor on no time. Road salts eat away the front panel, wings and 'a' panels.

Don't get me wrong, as speed genius said rust protection every six months, under sealing the wheel Arch's, cleaning away mud and road salts regularly - And a garage will keep a car going forever - Until you wrap it around a lamp post ;D ;D ;D They are ment to driven afterall ;D ;D ;D

If you do get into panel beating it hard graft, but all you would need is time. Panels are dirt cheap and very much avaliable. Hertiage are building 20 mini shells a week!!

Mini's live on ;D

[Deleted]

Sounds like a lot of hassle, but i suppose its worth it otherwise so many people wouldn't bother!

Does anyone know of any good books, DVD's or online guides for restoring a mini? Be nice to read up on it first before i part with any cash!

[Rachel]

Hi Chris

I have a Haynes restoration manual for mini's, but not the technical know how to do any of the work mentioned.

I will take it to the meeting Monday and you can have a look to see if it's what you want.

Welcome to the club.

Rachel

[Deleted]

Hi Rachel,

Thanks for the offer, but my girlfriend is coming back from Greece on Monday so i won't be at the meet.

I did buy a standard Haynes manual off ebay, it was for mini's made in the years 69-82?
£7 delivered!
It is quite detailed, but its more to do with servicing and repairs.

[monkeyjim]

a trip to a club meet is definately what you need before you part with any money.

Personally if you are new to the Mini scene I would recommend you buy a completely standard unmodified Mini built from
1985...... thats C registration onwards. Newer models do not mean less rust . Age is not important its the condition of the body.
For example
The bodyshell of my mark 1 Mini was built in the spring of 1960.
It still has its original inner and outer sills and rear floors , the front floors rear replaced when it was 43 years old .
on the other hand
I looked at a 1992 Mini in 2000 , a 8 year old car . It needed inner and outer sills , front and rear floors , repairs in the boot etc etc , it was scrap.

Shame you cant make monday , we will be attending the Worthing Mini show on sunday , cant miss it just drive right along the seafront to worthing or meet up with other club members on the way down , check out the info in the event section of the forum and click on Minis by the sea. Doesnt matter if you take the ford , just park it in the street.

Dave

[Deleted]

I went to the southern mini day at Paddock Wood last Sunday, and am thinking about going to Worthing on Sunday. Depends on whether i'm going out tonight, might have a hangover!
Think i need to test drive one really, see what all the fuss is about

[Deleted]

Welcome to the club forum,

i wont go into to detail about buying minis (hehe run of the mill etcetc(an old running joke)

But im sure 1 of us will allow you to test drive one of ours at some point.

daz

[MiniHaven]

dave i think its a job for you mate , give the fellow a nice demo run / test drive round the east dean back road the way you like too ? if you know what i mean .

[Simon1275mpi]

I'll take em out - Bring a helmet and you'll have to sign a disclaimer.... ;D