313 replies to this topic

[warhonowicz]

Here's a question, does the age of the car owner make a difference? And what does being 35 make me? Young, old, something in between?

My Mini will soon have a 1275 engine instead of the 998. And that wasn't standard either with twin carbs and a bigger exhaust. Bigger to the point that it increased performance (and was slightly louder) but not as to make lots of noise as such. Is there a difference between me doing these things to make my Mini mine and therefore different from all other ones and someone who is 19?

Why will I change the engine? Because it's on it's last leg and would need a lot of work doing to it. For the same money I can put a bigger engine into it. Will I actually go faster? No, 70 mp/h is the limit but I can accelerate faster to get away from danger and my upgraded brakes can make me stop faster in front of danger. So I could argue that these modifications actually make my car safer. Which would also go for the aftermarket rear seatbelts that allow me to take the kids out in the car.

And how far would modifications go? The previous owner did a lot of work to the body of the Mini to get rid of rust. This required a respray and they went for a different color? Is that already going to far or is that acceptable?

Personally I agree when it comes to bodykits and (some) arches but then again, each to their own. At the end of the day all of us keep the Mini and the suppliers of spares/parts alive.

There are museums all over the world to keep cars in pristine factory condition, cars on the road, used by normal people will be modified and be it by putting a sticker saying "Baby on board" into the window.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

im 16 and i think anyone who even owns a mini should have credit for that at a young age, because they are propper cars, unlike typical saxos etc that everyone has, yes my mini has 13" wheels, yes my mini has a fairly good sound system. so what?? does this mean i have `ruined` my mini?? i dont think so, i have just modified it to my own taste. and i also think this is a pointless and rather bitchy thread, everyone should just respect others that have different tastes, without them the world would be the same and very dull. my rant is over .. LOOL.

High 5

[mini_turbo_pete]

Here's a question, does the age of the car owner make a difference? And what does being 35 make me? Young, old, something in between?

My Mini will soon have a 1275 engine instead of the 998. And that wasn't standard either with twin carbs and a bigger exhaust. Bigger to the point that it increased performance (and was slightly louder) but not as to make lots of noise as such. Is there a difference between me doing these things to make my Mini mine and therefore different from all other ones and someone who is 19?

Why will I change the engine? Because it's on it's last leg and would need a lot of work doing to it. For the same money I can put a bigger engine into it. Will I actually go faster? No, 70 mp/h is the limit but I can accelerate faster to get away from danger and my upgraded brakes can make me stop faster in front of danger. So I could argue that these modifications actually make my car safer. Which would also go for the aftermarket rear seatbelts that allow me to take the kids out in the car.

And how far would modifications go? The previous owner did a lot of work to the body of the Mini to get rid of rust. This required a respray and they went for a different color? Is that already going to far or is that acceptable?

Personally I agree when it comes to bodykits and (some) arches but then again, each to their own. At the end of the day all of us keep the Mini and the suppliers of spares/parts alive.

There are museums all over the world to keep cars in pristine factory condition, cars on the road, used by normal people will be modified and be it by putting a sticker saying "Baby on board" into the window.

your 35, i'm 30, i think when we get over 30 we should be known as old fart racers..pmsl

[Goldie1275]

**OT**

I got my self that calender you have from woolies!!(the one with the red cooper this month) , my boyfriend takes great pleasure in spotting the mistakes...

Edited by Goldie1275, 20 February 2009 - 05:02 PM.

[roberts]

haha ive just read the rest of this ace

my dads 62 and has tweaked both his R32 and S200 is he an old man racer??

[Prawn]

Changing anything that was not on the car when it left the factory. With the expection of factory optional extras.

Anything else added to car would cause insurance to skyrocket - not only higher risk of theft but also for altering the design of the car could easily compromise safety.

Whilst I see your point about modifying in a certain way, and I totally agree, I think you're wording this bit very wrongly.

If I put an electronic ignition module inside my mini, so that it'll actually start in the cold wet weather and be reliable, should my insurance increase by a huge amount? What about uprating the incredibly inadequate drum brakes to more modern discs for safety reasons? Sure, drums did just fine in the 60's when nobody else could stop in a hurry, but these days, when the ford mondeo in front can stop in it's own length from 30, the drum brakes just don't cut it....

Personally, I agree with taking away from the 'mini' side of things, and I'm not a huge fan of big body kits or engine conversions, although it all has it's place.

People have been modifying and race preparing minis since they first appeared, so as long as you're not taking away from the 'Mini-ness' of it all, I see no problem!

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

**OT**

I got my self that calender you have from woolies!!(the one with the red cooper this month) , my boyfriend takes great pleasure in spotting the mistakes...

Oh yeh funfun! 1971 morris cooper springs to my mind, its a mainstream cooper fool

by the way, its not over the top, just what happens when your 15, really love minis but have no room on the drive

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 20 February 2009 - 05:12 PM.

[hystrix cristata]

I've skiped a few pages as Im using my phone on the train and people keep quoting huge chunks of text.
But anyway,people modify their minis as it is relatively easy,any 12 year old with a few spanners and an interest in cars can start feteling with a mini without too much risk of breaking it beyond repair. As for body kits and all that,its a matter of taste and even if most wont admit it its down to their mates influence aswell.
Excuse spelling,grammer etc I am using a phone

[Danny_California]

What is it with this forum and loving these pointless arguments?
Do what you like to your mini, its YOURS and nobody can tell you what to do with it. One man not putting a supercharger and rollcage in his mini because its original, despite the fact that he really wants to, doesnt stop someone else covering theirs with fibreglass bits and putting huge speakers everywhere.


Why is it that as soon as someone starts a topic like this, it shoots right up to 6 pages, whereas someone with a problem with their mini, who wants advice, would have to be the luckiest man alive to get near 6 pages of answers.

[BoboGib]

So let me get this straight,

i'm wrong for changing the rubber cones for springs as these will last longer and will very well outlast the car.
i'm wrong for putting a fibreglass front end on as this prevents rust and again will probably outlast the car.
i'm wrong for swapping the points for lekky ignition as this makes the car more reliable
i'm wrong for putting twin carbs on a S.E mini as IMO it makes the car more driveable


to be fair, cars are peoples property and they should be able to do what they want as long as its done safely, telling people they shouldn't modify a car is like telling people they can't put a shelf up in there own house.

[yorkshirechris]

I'm 22, and personally I would rather restore then modify. If I was to modify I would probably use period modifications, or make the original more reliable so I was able to use it on a daily basis.
I don't personally understand the need for 10 speakers in a car, especially a small one like a mini, and it's impressive the first time someone puts in a motorbike engine or what have yu, but I'm bored of that now.
Maybe I'm a minority?

also isn't there already a high mark up for aftermarket modifications etc.?

I'm 22 too and I agree

Although I did buy a 1985 mini as my first proper mini which was sprayed bright yellow, had alloys, DTM exhaust etc, I didnt buy it for the modifications, infact I dont even know why I bought it, probably because I wanted a mini so desperately but I do now prefer the older standard type, especially 70s and early 80s ones.

[ashby_steve]

Why is it that as soon as someone starts a topic like this, it shoots right up to 6 pages, whereas someone with a problem with their mini, who wants advice, would have to be the luckiest man alive to get near 6 pages of answers.

well said best point ive heard so far

[Disco Dan]

haha ive just read the rest of this ace

my dads 62 and has tweaked both his R32 and S200 is he an old man racer??

I had to giggle when I read that!!
Yes, I think your dad of 62 should be put in the box of 'youf racer' ! hehe your only as old as you feel

Changing anything that was not on the car when it left the factory. With the expection of factory optional extras.

Anything else added to car would cause insurance to skyrocket - not only higher risk of theft but also for altering the design of the car could easily compromise safety.

Whilst I see your point about modifying in a certain way, and I totally agree, I think you're wording this bit very wrongly.

If I put an electronic ignition module inside my mini, so that it'll actually start in the cold wet weather and be reliable, should my insurance increase by a huge amount? What about uprating the incredibly inadequate drum brakes to more modern discs for safety reasons? Sure, drums did just fine in the 60's when nobody else could stop in a hurry, but these days, when the ford mondeo in front can stop in it's own length from 30, the drum brakes just don't cut it....

Personally, I agree with taking away from the 'mini' side of things, and I'm not a huge fan of big body kits or engine conversions, although it all has it's place.

People have been modifying and race preparing minis since they first appeared, so as long as you're not taking away from the 'Mini-ness' of it all, I see no problem!

You make some good points, again though I feel I need to remind people that I am asking WHY YOU DO IT and I have no problem with modifications (to a degree, as I stated).

I can understand the electronic ignition argument - reliability wise yes I agree.

Drum brakes however - when properlly set up can stop just as quick as disks!!! Most tend to be in a bad state after 30 odd plus years though! I would like to have disks on mine, easier to change pads and easier to check pads, make adjusments etc as well as increased braking performance. However the NZ$900 to convert them puts me off (by the way that is like a two week wage here - minimum wage).

[MBarnes]

I can't read fast enough

I think you'll find the topic starter is merely playing devils advocate (sp), in an attempt to find out what he wants, which seems to be why?. There's no use saying "Its ours, we can do what we like", although i did find the title of the topic slightly offensive. Ruining the mini.

I do however agree with the view that bodykits/ big wheels/ chuff-off exhausts are added sometimes at the expense of say, ensuring the car is structurally sound. This is not good.

In answer to why people feel the need make modifications, personally, i have added some modifications for driving comfort, such as better seats. We all know that a standard mini can be made faster, safer, more comfortable etc... So why not do this? I also personalise my mini to reflect my tastes, and have a loud exhaust because it makes me happy.

Hope that has provided a further insight into why us so called young'uns are 'ruining the mini'.

Edited by MBarnes, 20 February 2009 - 05:31 PM.

[Disco Dan]

Why is it that as soon as someone starts a topic like this, it shoots right up to 6 pages, whereas someone with a problem with their mini, who wants advice, would have to be the luckiest man alive to get near 6 pages of answers.

Nothing like a good debate to get the juices flowing though is there?

But yes, I agree!!! Wouldn't that be nice... post up about a thingy-ma-bob broke off and the doobry does not work and you should get heaps of answers!! End of the day you only need one answer the right one. We live in a world where everyone has to voice their opinions - in the case of this thread, we end up with a very interesting debate and as expected a couple of people who took exception and threw their toys out of the cot. The world would be boring if we all did not voice our opinions though - how else could we get such great comedy??

Edited by Disco Dan, 20 February 2009 - 05:32 PM.