43 replies to this topic

[Binzo94]

hi, im 17 and am wanting too restore a mini, ive had a mini before but sadly it broke so I went on and sold it, but now i am thinking of buying a mini project and trying too complete it. But beforehand I wanted some advice as too how hard it will be, will I be able too accomplish it? .. how much do you think It would cost roughly, im not talking about buying a complete rust ridden barn find mini, but someone's project who have given up.. Also if anyone has the time/thought too give me a list of what tools I will need that'd be really good.. so basically could I have your advice as too restoring a mini with pretty much no mechanical experience, because the way I see it everyone has too start somewhere
thanks

also if this is in the wrong section or there is a more suited one please let me know

Edited by Binzo94, 15 June 2012 - 01:19 PM.

[Rhys]

Firstly, yeah you will be able to do it, there is absolutely no reason why not - I taught myself everything and am happy to undertake almost any task now. I started when I was 17 on a complete rust bucket that I should have scrapped.

Anyway as for price, there is no way of knowing at all, it depends on so many factors like bodywork/paint/engine/parts etc. You will need to find an example to get a good estimate.

Do you have a time frame or budget because that will help us tell you what you're up against.

[jac114]

Well we are in the same boat.. Im 42 and never done one and my son is 15 (its his car) and he wanted to do a project over the next two years ready for when he can drive. He bought a rolling shell basically ( no engine .. no dash... driveshaft bits missing no brake calipers no front shocks and various other bits missing.) he got shell for £400 engine £200 calipers £25 then just bits that all add up he is getting the grasp of what needs to be done and has been doing some research on parts through google finding many pictures for referance and of course bought a haynes manual and a mini restoration manual to help .

[purple_fly06]

i brought mine when i was 17 and started to restore it, but i am an apprentice engineer.

i restored it in 6 months and i have spent about £4000 roughly on it and there is still more to be done, so it depends how much you want to spend really, and i put it on the road when i turned 18 3 months ago

a lot of stuff you learn how to do from here

Edited by purple_fly06, 15 June 2012 - 01:44 PM.

[Binzo94]

erm, not really bothered about the time frame, id have the whole summer as im off collage, but however long it takes really hopefully not too long.. as with the budget im not really sure I was thinking about 2-3 thousand? but bearing in mind i would need tools and too actually choose a project car.. I was hoping to get either a 1275 or 1380 engine too, do you think thatd would be enough ? and is there anything else I may need ?
cheers

[purple_fly06]

Good luck insuring a 1380 or 1275 at 17

You will need general tools, paint, specialist mini tools, jack, axel stands........

+ mini parts, + a mini to do up, so 2-3grand may be a bit tight but you never know can come across some bargains. and to do it over the summer will be one hell of a challenge by yourself with little experience, but not impossible.

getting it sprayed professionally can be anything from £700ish to £2000 alone depends on who does it and how well they do it.

[jac114]

heres a tip for you that we found out.. it was cheaper to put a 1275 engine in his mini rather than a 998 due to the car originally being made with a 1275..... even though it would be backwards modified as far as power goes its still classed as a mod and infact they just out and out wouldnt insure him. but put a 1275 in and everything was fine so if your looking at a 1380 then i suggest you might want to research a bit more on insurance and also the downfalls of a 1380 engine ie reboring it to the limit

[purple_fly06]

thats because it was original, and insurance companies like original.

if he were to buy a 998 project and put a 1275 or 1380 in the insurance would be sky high because it wouldnt be orginal any more.

[AndyMiniMad.]

For Two or Three grand you will find a decent mini that is already road worthy and safe...then you dont need to worry about your lack of skills straight away...just run it over the summer and tinker with it...you will learn a lot from reading some of the project threads on here...and then when you are ready go for some mods of your own and that power upgrade..

[Binzo94]

so, a 1380 would be quite alot do you think? its just I currently have a 1.4 golf and that is about £2600 a year so i was thinking it cant be as much as that surely.. or you think just look for a 1275 or 1380 that hasnt been changed on the log book ? , ugh insurance is very confusing :/

[AndyMiniMad.]

Its not about the actual size of the engine...its more about if the car came with that size engine when it was built...As no 1380's ever left the factory then its classed as a modification and the price goes through the roof...For you at 17 I would guess at 5-6K on insurance if they will even bother to quote...Most will just laugh and hang up!!

[Joseph-C]

i'd just go for a 1275, it will probably be/feel quicker than your golf due to the weight of the golf, whatever you do don't get a 1380 that's not been declared; if you have an accident insurance won't pay out.

I reckon you'd be able to restore a mini yourself as long as your not in a rush and can afford it, but doing it over the summer months may not be enough and 3 grand might not be enough either depending on the starting point

[mk1leg]

Get yourself this book it will help you along your journey .................

http://www.minisport...fo_HAYH440.html

[Binzo94]

yehh ive already got it thanks :) , i guess a 1380 would be pretty quick compared too my golf! as it weighs a absolute ton.. and I guess you probably should declare it. But yeh maby a 1275 would do. Does anyone have any idea as too what tools i will need, how much space etc..
thanks

[purple_fly06]

I have a 1275 with an 1 3/4" carb on and it is wayyyy quicker than a 1.4 golf. my mate has one and it is quite sluggish compared to it, my old 850 was probably the same. minis weigh nothing compared to a golf. One of my best mates has a 1.9 tdi golf and my mini is still faster.... so id say at 17 1275 is quick enough but you may not even be able to insure one of them.

at 1380 you will be looking at 4-6k and to be honest they arent really worth it for the road, my mates got one in his mini and it isnt that much different and he is constantly under the bonnet.

If i were you i would buy a mini for 2-3k and mess around with it over the summer to build your confidence up and then decide if you want to do a mini project.