Compete Newbie looking to enter the Mini world!

[MrsLiamo]

Hi Folks,

I’ve been a long time Mini lover, drooling over every classic Mini that passes me on the street. Ive always wanted to have my own, but just didnt have the finances to get one.
Soon I'll be turning 30 and as a present to myself I want to get onto the Mini ladder.

My budget is around 2k - 2.5k.
I’m based in Finglas, I can garage store at night and ideally id be using her daily for about 20km.

I’ve not much mechanical knowledge, I’m a girl and I don’t really know what to be looking for when I start shopping around.
(Rust etc.) So I’d be grateful of any help that anyone could pass onto me!

Cheers
Catherine

[keith]

Welcome Catherine.

lots of help here, you are in the right place.

[purplehaze]

Welcome to the forum, you'll get Wat u need from here, Wat ur looking for is a newer mini as they are more reliable hope u find a good one

[jocelynn]

Try Paul kelly in minifix in santry he might be able to help you out or find one for you

His number is 087 2597085

[Wills21]

Welcome along Catherine, I was in the same boat as yourself this time last year

The best advice I could give you is not to rush into anything, get a second opinion if you are unsure about anything! I bought what I thought to be a 99% rust free car and it needed loads of work, even had expanding foam between the sills!

Throw up some links to any cars you're looking at, maybe someone might be able to help!

[MrsLiamo]

Cheers for the replies folks. So far I've one main contender

http://www.adverts.ie/vehicles/mini-may ... rt/6784174

Ive not seen her yet, she's due for her NCT at the weekend and ive just had a few comments with the seller.

Thoughts?

[Wills21]

Cheers for the replies folks. So far I've one main contender

http://www.adverts.ie/vehicles/mini-may ... rt/6784174

Ive not seen her yet, she's due for her NCT at the weekend and ive just had a few comments with the seller.

Thoughts?

Looks like a nice little car, on the plus side its not to far away so just go for a look, very hard to tell from pictures what it's actually like.

Don't be afraid to lift the carpet to check how solid the floor is.
Bring someone with you that knows a bit about cars aswell

[MrsLiamo]

This is very true, from chatting to the hubby one of his friends whos a mechanic should be able to come with me if I go to see her.

Ive been reading up on where to look for the rust, i know you'll get some given the cars age but certinally it is somthing I want to have a 2nd more knowledgeable 2nd set of eyes to check for me.

Will keep ye posted!

Also.. What do peeps use as security as a main? I see a big dirty lock and a kill switch. Is it possible to get alarms on cars of this age?
Ta
Cat

[woody]

That Mayfair looks good in the pictures. Its had a lot of work done to it, heres what he started with.
http://www.adverts.ie/vintage-classic/m ... cc/1524903
It looks like he deals in cars a bit so if it has been done right it could be ok but on the other hand if hes looking to make a profit €2100 of a price differance for new panels and a respray is tight.

[mgb1978]

Also you mention using the car as a daily driver. Most (if not all) Insurance companies won't touch anything more than 20 years old.
This then involves ringing around Brokers and basically getting a classic insured as a main car....not impossible, but I'd concentrate on late 90's cars if I were you.



....and seriously, would you buy a car from somebody who calls themself "KiddieKrippler" ????

[MrsLiamo]

Thats some good detective work there!!
Some serious change in her!

Spotted this one now.. Into the 90's as advised given id like to be using her daily

http://www.adverts.ie/car/austin/mini/m ... er/7356602

As for insurance, got a quote on the 1lt 89 of €247. Though id be using her daily my mileage will still be mad low, like 15-20km max a day so it fit into the higher bracket.
But this 2nd on being a 96 I'll have to see if classic insurance will take her given shes not 20 yet- but if not im sure it'll be ok to add to my main plan with not much hassle!

[mully31]

If you need a second opinion on a car I'm only out the road in ashbourne

[woody]

Did you look at the Mayfair? If done right it may be a good buy.

[Scoobasteve7]

I'd be wary of the 90s model shown.

Someone that states 'just serviced ,lots of monet just spent , needs nothing' and then answers the most basic mini question 'any rust' with 'small bit around the indicator and under the headlight that was touched up a long time ago' makes me sceptical from the outset.

So the very first thing stated isnt true.

Immaculate throughout also not true.

The engine looks like it hasnt been shown any love in quite a while with paint peeling off the rocker cover and dirt over the block.
Serviced recently > anyone would have given it even a quick wipe with a rag when changing the plugs unless they have no care at all.

The interior picture shows high wear on the dashboard.
Easy enough to replace but again, if they think this is 'immaculate' i just dread to see the rest of it.

Best of luck with the search! I'd agree definitely take someone with you to know what to look out for or be prepared for a steep bill and a steep learning curve like I was!!

[MrsLiamo]

Folks cheers for all the replies.
Only looking online at the min.

Re the 96 one, I wasnt comfortable with how she sounded after reading it a few times. Why service her but not NCT it? Few alarm bells did ring with me too so I knocked her on the head.

89 Mayfair is due to be NCT'd today. Her restoration from 2012 on adverts looks impressive.
I'll keep an eye out given she does look to have decent quality work done and will likely be NCT'd.

Coz given my lack of knowledge on anything mini or engine related Id like thr NCT as some peace of mind!!

Will keep on the look out and keep ye posted!
Also might take up your offer of a 2nd set of eyes!! Really appreciate the offer and all the advise!

[MrsLiamo]

If you need a second opinion on a car I'm only out the road in ashbourne

Cheers Mully... Might take you up on that offer as some stage!

[MrsLiamo]

Got intouch with minifix so gonna pop over during the week as there are a few bits I can have a look over!
Excited!!

[MrsLiamo]

Well folks..... got sorted with my 1st mini
She has a few bits of bubble rust on a A Panels and the gearbox is a little clunky so she's be going in to get some TLC next week.
Joining the club next week too.. need to get my postal order sorted... so might meet some of you in the future!

[rosssmall]

Best of luck the joys of a mini. Have ya any pictures

[DaveC]

Well done. We need to see the photos

[MrsLiamo]

Ahh pics are too big! Will need to fix them!!

[MrsLiamo]

Been ages since ive been on.
Bad news on the mini front.. Bought it in June and its been off the road since!!
Need a gear box, and ive not a clue so im findng it difficult getting one.
If anyone has a working one in good nick please give me a shout!
998cc A+ is my engine

Other than thwt he car has gotten very grubby in the drive over winter.. Looks to have developed furr inside so she needs lots of love this spring
Will try tet pics up soon

Thanks
Cat

[woody]

Replacing a gearbox on a mini is one of the biggest mechanical jobs you can do apart from replacing the engine. You have to remove the front hubs, exhaust, carb, disconnect all electrics and then remove the engine and gearbox. Once out of the car you then remove the clutch before finally spliting the gearbox from the engine and then put it all back together. With this much out of the car other worn parts will be noticed and you will proberbly need replacing ball joints, oil seals, engine mounts ,oil and gaskets. If you supply a mechanic with a gearbox of unknown quality and it isn't right you will have to pay to do it all over again. Personally I think you would be better off going to a mechanic (maybe Minifix) and have them supply and fit the gearbox (or recondition your own gearbox) and you can discuss with them the cost of replacing other items likely to need replacing for an NCT. The additional cost of doing this work now with the engine out would be far less than having it done later for an NCT.

[purplehaze]

Pmd.