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Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:50 pm
by AA84
I've finally done, saved a bit by to buy a my first old school mini!

However I have one small issue, other than how they look, I don't know too much about what's under the hood or common issues, such as rust, that need to be spotted before any purchase is made.

Does anyone have any advice around the various models, engines sizes, engine types, common issues to watch out for?

Apologies, this is quite a broad question but any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

AA

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:25 pm
by spud1979
If possible try get one that is pre 1980, only reason I say this is to save yourself having to nct your car every year. Great selection of cars on the market. Just only you can say which one suits you after driving it. I went threw 5 in a year to find the one I like, be ready to spend plenty of money. Always something seems to go wrong :(

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:02 pm
by woody
One of the first things you need to concider is can you insure the car. If your under 25 and its your only car you may need to look at Minis less than 15 years old for some insurance companies. If your over 25 and its a second car you can concider a classic policy.
Whats your budget?

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:22 pm
by Billy
If you're not mechanically minded, you're better off with a car that's NCTed

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:26 am
by StanO'Toole
As Woody said, first things first.. Check out insurance, I'm 20 and my insurance company won't touch me on anything over the age of 20 years old.

Heres a rough guide around rust issues, there are better ones but can't find them now that I'm looking for them! :roll: As it says, the wings, a panels, sills and the likes... And from previous experience, I won't be buying another Mini thats had any rust prevention remedy caked on the underside. I know its there to protect the body but ya never know whether it was put there in good faith or put there in an attemp to hide something. You'd be better of finding a good clean shell and doing that kind of stuff yourself.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:38 pm
by maverick
My pointers would be:

As Billy said NCT if your not mechanically minded or bring a mechanic or savvy person with you

Bring a small torch and lift carpets in the foot wells, shine light into rear pockets and look for rot, boot floor.

Get underneath with torch and check out rear subframe.

Rot around front Window rubbers

Rot in the seams under the headlights.

All common and sometimes costly to repair places.

Are the carpets dry underneath if not waters getting in somewhere.

Etc etc. take your time and dont rush into anything.

Oh and good luck! Minis rock

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:32 am
by AA84
First off, thanks for all the replies...

I'm over 25 and the mini would be my daily driver. Budget is around €4k. Living in Dublin city centre, and while mechanically minded, I do not have a garage or an area where I can install / swap out parts regularly, if needed. So I'm slightly apprehensive about getting too old a mini.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:42 pm
by AA84
What do people think of the below two options:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/4412495

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/4452671

Subject to the usual checks for rust, test drive etc.....do you guys reckon the above represent value? Particularly like the look of the 97 mini.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:03 am
by woody
As your not technicly minded I'll just point out the major difference between the two cars. The '96 Mini is single point injection and the '97 is multipoint injection.The '97 is fitted with an airbag and pretension seatbelts and side impact bars.The 13" wheels and arches on the '97 can be fitted to the '96 with a bit of work. I would thimk both cars are priced well if they are as good as described but ultimitly it depends on rust as '90s minis are prone to major rust in the wings ,A panels and most expenseivly the scuttle panel. Rust is a bigger problem on UK imports.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:26 am
by AA84
Thanks Woody,

Would the 13" wheels on the 97 create steering issues, I assume full lock isn't possible?

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:04 am
by The Marcos Graveyard
Cars with 13" wheels fitted as standard will also have a reduced travel steering rack to avoid the wheels rubbing on full lock.
The wider wheels do make steering at low speeds heavier but not overly so. Aftermarket Power Steering can be fitted to Minis but it isn't cheap

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:15 pm
by AA84
Cheer Marcos. From experience is there a massive difference in the handling between 12" and 13"?

Also, is there anyone on the forums here from Galway? I would really like to check out the 97 mini and it would be a massive help if there was someone with me who knows exactly what to look for. Of course I'll sort you for your time as well.

AA

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:46 pm
by Evlabe
If I had a 4k budget I would take a look at this

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4172962

I have a 1380cc 90reg mini and I can tell you they are quick and a ball to drive. I am, like you, over 25, well over if i'm honest, and my insurance is €225pa there is restricted mileage of 6K km's but that's not a problem if its nit your main car.

If you intend to upgrade your mini in the future I suggest you take a look at this mini. It's not mine by the way but it looks sorted to me. If you catch the mini bug you will want to upgrade in the future, and you will certainly spend way more than the price this guy is looking for.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:57 pm
by AA84
Is the 1380cc engine size a standard size or has it been modified?

Not sure about the Sparco seats,I kind of prefer the old traditional look.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:19 pm
by daniel garry
AA84 wrote:Is the 1380cc engine size a standard size or has it been modified?

Not sure about the Sparco seats,I kind of prefer the old traditional look.

1380 is a modified engine, 1275 bored out, the only reason the sparco's are in are for the harnesses and a lil extra safety with the extra power!

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:59 pm
by AA84
Thanks, Evlabe (http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4172962)

Gave the chap a ring, it's actually a UK import, the engine was modified over in the UK. There is very little service history with the vehicle. There were 2 rust issues previously (scuttle pan and back left rear). Has been recently resprayed. Brakes are originals so will probably need replacing.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:14 pm
by DaveC
AA84 wrote:First off, thanks for all the replies...

I'm over 25 and the mini would be my daily driver. Budget is around €4k. Living in Dublin city centre, and while mechanically minded, I do not have a garage or an area where I can install / swap out parts regularly, if needed. So I'm slightly apprehensive about getting too old a mini.
Welcome along.
My few thoughts:

If it is to be your daily driver I would suggest a fairly standard 1990's Mini
Bodywise buy the best you can afford
If it was me I would stick with 12" wheels as the steering will feel lighter. By all means test drive one with 13" wheels and see which you prefer
If it comes with service history all the better, but whatever you buy will be more than 10 years old so it is unlikely to all be available, besides most people on here do their own
Current NCT

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:45 pm
by AA84
Thanks Dave. Going to check out a few minis this week. I'll let ya's know how I get on.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:34 pm
by Buddy
[quote="AA84"]What do people think of the below two options:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/4412495

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/4452671

Subject to the usual checks for rust, test drive etc.....do you guys reckon the above represent value? Particularly like the look of the 97 mini.[/quote]

the front lights and grill on the 97 aren't stock...something seems off about them, id definitely ask why they arent they originals.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:40 pm
by AA84
Thanks for the feedback Buddy,

I checked out the 97 the Friday before last. A lot of things were off with the mini. Was told one previous owner yet was only registered in 03, was an import from NI. Owner apparently did not know, but service book said otherwise.
It didn't handle too well, and steering clicked several times between full turning left to right. Changing gears from 2nd to 3rd was anything but easy.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 12:02 am
by Scoobasteve7
I personally prefer the look of the 96.

Especially the interior.

Looks like a good honest mini.

Also with the price tage well under budget you would have funding to fix any dodgy parts or upgrade others if you so wished.

Best of luck with whatever Mini you do decide on. :)

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:50 pm
by Buddy
i'll be selling mine in a few weeks/months, baby on the way so have to get something baby friendly

has no NCT at the moment, but will be getting that take care of before I sell her.

Ill be looking for 4k+ at least, so may be above what you're willing to spend. but ive had lots done to her to get her back ont he road and shes in great shape.

Re: Buying my first Mini!

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 12:49 pm
by AA84
Image

Am I correct this is a Jap import SPI. Besides there being little to no room under the bonnet, is there anything else I need to be wary about? Can just about read "E12A AD020" on top of the engine.