BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 [Edited from Original Post] Was a topic about me buying a bright green Mini. Then I found out about another one. Then I missed out on that and am now trying to find one again. Can you help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philyc Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 New or old? If old then rust. Rather get a rust free shell with a bad engine then a good engine and a rusty shell. BorniteIdentity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 New or old? If old then rust. Rather get a rust free shell with a bad engine then a good engine and a rusty shell.To clarify. Mini = oldMINI = new Philyc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 To clarify. Mini = oldMINI = new BINI = new Dick Longbridge, UltraWomble, chadders and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Rust rust and more rust. Great way to learn to weld. BorniteIdentity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Has anyone mentioned the terrifying rust yet? Oil will no doubt be pissing out of the engine, but that's good, as it's the only thing that stops the front subframe rusting. Rear subframes don't have an engine, so they rust. Oh and ID swaps. That's another issue. inconsistant, RayMK, Cavcraft and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New POD Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 sensible mods = electronic ignition and hi lo suspension adjustors and long centre branch manifold and rc30 exhauststupid mods = wide wheels and massive arches, bucket seats. Go for as rust free and standard as possible unless the mods are done well. BorniteIdentity and eddyramrod 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 It looks very standard does this one. How easy a job is it to transplant an engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtriple Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Easy. I swapped one by dropping the front subframe and then taking the engine out, reversal is er, the reverse. You can take them out through the top but access is er, tricky! Drop the subframe and lift the body. Really is dead easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad D. Conelrad Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 What era of Mini? There were some changes over their four decade production run. In essence though, the only thing to really worry about is rust. Every part is available and cheap, every issue you could have is comprehensively documented online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Longbridge Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Main thing is, do you have a decent clothes peg to hold out the choke knob? Jerzy Woking, chrisjvm, Mr A Lawrence and 16 others 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 What era of Mini? There were some changes over their four decade production run. In essence though, the only thing to really worry about is rust. Every part is available and cheap, every issue you could have is comprehensively documented online.THE LEYLAND YRS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 In essence though, the only thing to really worry about is rust.I'd also say crashing as well. Don't crash, you are sat in the crumple zone. Issigonis attitude to crash safety was that the cars have good brakes and handling. So if you do, it's your own fault. Asimo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 I'd also say crashing as well. Don't crash, you are sat in the crumple zone. Issigonis attitude to crash safety was that the cars have good brakes and handling. So if you do, it's your own fault.That was pretty much Austin’s view. Good brakes encourage poor driving! SiC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarvinsMom Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 well every thing that has been said yo look for, has been said. and most of what i'll type below i'm sure you will already know. most of it is just common sense. if you can, take the car for a bit of a test drive. mini's are a marmite car, some folks can get along with the rough ride and funny driving position, other people cannot get along with them. they might love the shape and look of the car, but its no good if you cannot comfortably drive it. so, what to look for? rust..... rust.... and more rust. they can and do rust every where, just for fun! a car with a tired engine but a good body is better to have than one with a ropy, welded up body and a tricked up engine. if looking to buy one, start at the bottom of the car. what are the outer sills like? does it still have the jacking points half way along? are they original ones if not, who changed them? did they just stick some cover sills over the original ones? the outer sills have a flute in them, and the factory ones will be open at the bottom of each flute. replacement ones tend to be closed. can you lift the carpets up? look at the bottom of the heel boards and what state are the inner sills along insides of the doors in good order. if a set of cover sills are slapped on then chances are the inners will be shot. look in the boot floor, any repairs along the back (or front if you have your head in the boot) of the floor under where the boot lid sits. under neath the car, what state is the back subframe in? replacements are availale (as is most stuff up to and including full new body shells) and not that dear to buy, though getting it fitted and painted does cost, a lot. at the front of the car, what is the scuttle panel like under the windscreen like? any bubbling round the window is a PITA to fix. look at the wings, factory wings there is a definate gap between them and the rest of the car, replacements ones will have a bead of sealer between the wing and the scuttle panel. a-panels under the wings, and between the wing and the doors collect crap and rot out. replacemnts are easy to find, but difficult to fit properly. door bottoms go all too easily, but have a good look at how the doors actually fit to the car. are the gaps uniform all around the door? crash damage can show up as tight spots around the door appature, and this also the case with the bonnet shuts. with the car running, some rattle from the engine is to be expected as is some whining from the transmission. worn out gearboxes can and do jump out of gear and selecting gears can be an issue too, if the gearbox is shagged. looknin the radiator, or on a newer one the expansion tank. water looking like tea could be a silted up engine and rad. washing them out will usually solve the problem but the engine having an iron block and head can leave it fuill of rust if its not had antifreeze in it for a long time. look at the oil too, even fresh oil goes black pretty quickly, but it shouldn't be like tar. personally too, when i have bought mini's i have looked for unmolested cars, closer to factory spec. so original seats, wheels etc are something i've looked for, and also what is the seller like? rough cars i think tend to go with rough sellers. otherwise best of luck! i'll post this too, just as insperation..... SiC, Remspoor, inconsistant and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asimo Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Identity fraud Rust Crashing Brake fade Banging and clanking as you go on / off the throttle The thrashing, whining noise from the transmission is normal. BorniteIdentity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bezzabsa Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 anywhere with a curve, edge or bolt hole - check for Rust...boot floor/ battery traywings A panelsdoor bottomspedals are also very tricky at first (smol and close)swap engine in about 2 hours allowing for Tea breakRadiators need to be in 100% condition due to positionmake sure it has the cover for the Dizzy as its straight in line of waterif it has Drums allround - Pray!!!especially if no servo!!!likes to mark it's territory like a Land rover!!regulat services as oil is shared with gearbox.. would love another, but don't think I'll fit now LOL BorniteIdentity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Thanks for all this. I’ve had one before; a Morris branded 75 Car. It was sold to pay for our first child at the age of 21 and 19 respectively. The boss likes this one. I’ve said I will only buy if she will definitely drive it. She’s keen, so this could be a nice distraction from the Sierra and a possible 190 replacement. I’ve measured my tandem garage. If I can nudge down a wall that separates a corner off for a coal store, then it’s 28ft long. So could definitely fit a mini plus another car. I’m going to speak to the dude tonight. Thanks ! Skizzer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Not sure that anyone has said this but: ADO16 are [supposedly] better. Better driving, better interior and better at rusting. Or something like that. But then I would say that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad D. Conelrad Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Everything's better than a Mini on paper. On tarmac nothing is better. LightBulbFun, CGSB, Twiggy and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felly Magic Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Do Minis suffer the same gearbox woes as Metros? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Poor modifications made by previous owners, such as chicken wire and newspaper sills, spam tins in the floor, radio wiring with no fuses, and filler where the rear subframe mounts should be. Usual Mini stuff. Mechanically everything is pretty easy and it’s simple to make it look like any sort of Mini you want it to be. 1967 Cooper replica, 1990 Mini 30, fat wheels, thin wheels, it’s all simple stuff. Would the plan be to maintain its 1970’s industrial strike action vibe? gtd2000 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inconsistant Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Great posts above. Surprised no one's mentioned rust. On full lock check inside top corners of wings for build up of road crud, mine rusted through from inside because of this. By the time the paint bubbled it was too late. Around headlights inside too. Also check panel under rear bumper for the same. Russet Brown hides rust well, I recommend it. Basically just check the whole body inside and out. Twice. CGSB and RayMK 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Thanks guys. I’m nervous because it’s more than I’ve ever spent on an unnecessary car, but I imagine they’re always going to be worth a couple of grand as a going concern? This one will soon be tax and MOT exempt too. Wife seems fine about it. All a bit worrying really. inconsistant 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Does a sunroof have any implications on a 70s Mini? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timewaster Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Hard to check in a heatwave, but water leaks into the car are a common annoyance, and usually impossible to find or cure. Drum brakes often pull one way or another if not set up correctly (which is impossible as the adjuster will be seized up or rounded off or both.) Massive fun on a dry day.Damp days are misery, heater and demisters are noisy and useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 But if it's going in a garage and only used on nice days, then it shouldn't be a big worry about leakage. Not having a Sunroof/Webasto was the biggest mistake I made when buying my MGB GT. It's a car for nice days. Nice days are invariably dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorniteIdentity Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 I remember driving my old one 70 miles in the rain once. Candles for lights, no demisting, no heating, it was misery defined. On a sunny day, it was a belting fun. I’m tempted. Sorely tempted. CGSB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 We had an 850 as a kid and it was even too slow and miserable for my dad who back then would have revelled in misery if it saved him 10p rantingYoof, artdjones, Dave_Q and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Dentressangle Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Mrs D's daily drive is an '84 Mini 25. As said, they rot like shit and are an acquired taste to drive. I'd echo the enthusiasm for standard trim. There must be 20 modified ones for every standard one. Most done badly, by complete twats. Dick Longbridge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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