Buying a wreck...

[Blackhawk47]

I have decided this project HAS to be on an original Mini. There just awesome and I feel I have to at least owned one while I'm able to drive and alive. Think I saw Blackhawk In York the other day, driving out of the Tesco at Clifton Moor?

Yeah, probably was me as I do work near there (I say work, my contract runs out tomorrow so back to job searching).

Good choice on choosing a mini. As HXC go have a look on TMF (the mini forum) and take a look at some build logs. In my opinion I would spend as much as you can afford on getting a mini without much or any rust but do check out the forum. I would also recommend buying the Mini Magazine from the shops to have a butchers at to see what your getting yourself into and what availability of parts is like.

The reason people find Mini's expensive to buy is because they barely drop in value and if anything only go up in value for a good example so you will find that if you do a good restore then you should be able to make most of your money back. Mine although not restored (original ***) is easily going to be worth £10k or more when/if I come to sell (but I really don't want too).

Mini's are suprisingly fast and I shocked one of my mates the other day as he had his first ride in a Mini in mine. 0-30 1st gear, 30-50/60 in 2nd, 55-70 in 3rd and even more in 4th. I would also get one with the sportspack kit or get a replica kit when you come to restore/respray it as it really adds a lot to the car.

Oh and hit me up if you want to come to York Raceway as I am going there again 8th August.

 

[Joshy]

and a well sorted one will always outshine a BMW

Err... In what way exactly?

 

[Jez]

Nothing better than restoring a real Mini.

Not sure i am finding myself in agreement with that comment

 

[Tr1p]

a well sorted one will always outshine a BMW

I don't agree with this comment either, I would love to restore an E30 but I feel the costs are going to be insane compared to the Mini. Let alone the insurance quotes... That will be when I'm older. Just got a huge urge for a Mini at the moment, something I could keep for years to come too and be proud of.

In my opinion I would spend as much as you can afford on getting a mini without much or any rust but do check out the forum. I would also recommend buying the Mini Magazine from the shops to have a butchers at to see what your getting yourself into and what availability of parts is like.

Have bought the mini world magazine from work the other day, some nice mini's in there and the parts seem to be reasonably priced. I hopefully will be able to spend £1000 - £1500 on one so that should get me one with hardly any rust hopefully. I'm not in any rush to buy one, would rather wait a month or longer to get one worth the wait than rush into it.

Mini's are suprisingly fast and I shocked one of my mates the other day as he had his first ride in a Mini in mine. 0-30 1st gear, 30-50/60 in 2nd, 55-70 in 3rd and even more in 4th. I would also get one with the sportspack kit or get a replica kit when you come to restore/respray it as it really adds a lot to the car.

Sportspack, will try to do my best to find one with that . Otherwise I will end up getting a replica kit. Seems worth it. This project will take me about a year or so, I'm not in any rush to do it, I would rather take it slowly and get everything perfect with a exceptional car for me at the end, than a rushed scabby one. Hopefully over the year will be able to spend about ~£7K.

Oh and hit me up if you want to come to York Raceway as I am going there again 8th August.

That would be great, looked at your pictures from the other day, would be great to come along, however don't think i'll look good turning up in a Fiat Brava 1.6 but seriously will consider coming along.

 

[eatcustard]

Err... In what way exactly?

every way

when some one says they have a BMW, its a "o thats nice"

when some one says I have a mini its, which one, what you done to it etc etc.

 

[Joshy]

I don't agree with this comment either, I would love to restore an E30 but I feel the costs are going to be insane compared to the Mini. Let alone the insurance quotes...

Have you actually looked?

"Costs" are actually quite low for E30s. In fact, I'd be VERY surprised if buying and lightly restoring/modifying an E30 didn't work out cheaper than buying a half decent Mini and welding that back together...

Insurance isn't bad either, but you've got to look and ring around. A 318iS would be a good base if you're not looking to go too mad with modifications. If you're interested in engine swaps and the like then a Touring (Estate) is probably the best base for a few (Less rust prone, better weight distribution, they already have "325i" spec suspension and brakes, and they don't cost too much).

 

[eatcustard]

Try to get a carb mini, as you dont need a cat on it, injection ones do, and the injection system is unreliable.

For ultimate mini handling get a mini with 10" wheels

 

[Sukh]

I think you should buy this:

SL

Or

XF

Completely not what you asked for just thought I would share what I was looking at.

 

[Fuzz]

Well I'll say this, an E30 or E36 3-series is quite possibly one of the easiest cars in the world to work on. It would be a "simple" introduction into mechanics and restoration, and parts are widely available, and contrary to popular belief, don't cost the earth.

First post and a perfect reply


/thread


EDIT***
Oh.. a bloody mini.
Can't argue though as that's the first car engine I modified (tuned) when I was 17 or 18.
I guess the parts are still available as it's a bit of a cult classic now.

 

[Fuzz]

Something like this then..
Already been played with a bit, good little project by the looks of it.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C165606/

Be aware that in all likelyhood you WILL need to purchase and learn to use a mig welder.
Make sure you allow for that in your budget.

 

[InvaderGIR]

every way

Well no, BMW will outperform the Mini, greater 0-60 etc. etc. etc.

when some one says they have a BMW, its a "o thats nice"

when some one says I have a mini its, which one, what you done to it etc etc.

Actually from everyone I know it's the other way round, people are far more interested in the BMWs than Minis...and most of my friends drive utter turd cars (so not BMW enthusiasts).

 

[Blackhawk47]

Don't agree that some old BMW would be a better buy.

If your looking for a car which has a great following/culture and always gets people's attention then get a Mini. Mine is a real head turner.

 

[Jez]

Totally not feeling the love for them at all. In my opinion they were rubbish 50 years ago, and are rubbish now.

I absolutely appreciate the Mini's significance, and its heritage. But they are eclipsed by pretty much everything else mentioned in this thread in virtually very way it is possible to measure a car.

 

[Fuzz]

This is no longer a cheap DIY motor. Volkswagen have stopped selling parts for the mk1 now, so even simple bits are a nightmare to get hold of.

You can get parts, but they cost a fortune.

Absolutely true.
Was in the middle of decoke, hone and freshen up for the Mk1 owned by our sales guy next door. Couldn't even get the exhaust studs for it :-/
Made things a bit awkward.
Thankfully did however get an exhaust valve and full gasket kit without issue/

 

[eatcustard]

Well no, BMW will outperform the Mini, greater 0-60 etc. etc. etc.
.

what performance got to do with it?

A sorted turbo mini will hit 60 in under 6 seconds
A sorted non turb mini is around 7.5 seconds

more than a match for a standard 1.8 BMW

and on top of that you will always sell a mini for top doller, a BMW will continue to drop

 

[Joshy]

A sorted turbo mini will hit 60 in under 6 seconds
A sorted non turb mini is around 7.5 seconds

more than a match for a standard 1.8 BMW

You are aware that comparing modified cars to a standard car is retarded, right?

and on top of that you will always sell a mini for top doller, a BMW will continue to drop

What?

E30s are cult classics in their own rights and good ones will only go up in value. I wouldn't at all be surprised if they became the next MK2 Escorts.

 

[eatcustard]

E30s are cult classics in their own rights and good ones will only go up in value. I wouldn't at all be surprised if they became the next MK2 Escorts.

Yes, and a limited cult classic

You are aware that comparing modified cars to a standard car is retarded, right?

comparing a 1800/2500 to a 1275 is more retarded.

 

[Blackhawk47]

I think you guys are forgetting that he is only 19 like I am. Insurance is more than likely going to be more on a E30/larger car.

Mini's aren't slow and beat pretty much any car in terms of handling.

 

[Joshy]

Yes, and a limited cult classic

You mean, just like Minis?

And don't give me some rubbish about Minis having "universal" appeal. They don't. The most of the population simply do not care.

comparing a 1800/2500 to a 1275 is more retarded.

You're the only person comparing them?

 

[Tr1p]

I think you guys are forgetting that he is only 19 like I am. Insurance is more than likely going to be more on a E30/larger car.

Thankyou, honestly would love to do a E30 but I would rather have a 2.5 than a 1.8. It's the only way I would, at the age I am, the Mini seems the best option for insurance, restorations, costs etc. I can do BMW's, Mercedes, Jag's when I'm older and got some NCB under my belt.