9 replies to this topic

[phillmoore]

Hello all my names phill and ive been a mini lover for many years and i cant wait to have one of my own

I currently possess a provisional license but i've had a few lessons and i shall be doing more frequent lessons very soon as i think i may have finally found my mini

I work as a bin man in the south east and on my round there are a few mini's ( about 7 ) i've seen hidden away and most people dont want to sell theirs as they restored them to mint condition ( i dont really blame them they look fantasic some even look like they've just left the factory ) the people who are willing to sell including online seem to want close to 4grand for perfect, 3 for mint, 2 for a running mini with a few small problems, 1 for alright looking bodys with bits or non runners etc.

Untill yesterday when i noticed someone pulling the cover off a mini ive had my eye on for a while, so i asked if it was for sale and the gentleman said it was so i asked the price he said he wanted 1400 for it which i was a little surprised about as it looked very tidy so i said id go back later for a better look when im not working.

So i went back after work with my brother ( for a lift ) now i've done mechanics at college for two years and did well so ive got some good basic knowledge for checking cars etc, i still checked online for tips on buying mini's just so i knew where to look : i found that if there was any rust near the seals running under the car on either side, in the footwells, rust in the wheel arches, engine mounts or battery mounts then i should walk away as it'll require alot of welding or will be un-repairable.

To my surprise as i was expecting a non runner or problems with rust it was actually in superb condition and even ran although with a slight misfire ( which the bloke said he'd fix ).

i only have the one photo of it as i plan to visit again soon to place a deposit or buy in full depending on moneys ( i have managed to get him down to 1000 ) , any advice or comments would be great thanks.

Attached Files

•  2013-04-01 14.38.24.jpg   49.45K   20 downloads

[chrisj]

Welcome to TMF!

The mini looks like a nice basis for a project, a nice price too providing its in fair condition.

I would be prepared to find rust though, sills, rear valance, inner wings, rear bins, boot floor just to name a few places to look.

Good look!

[sonikk4]

Hi and welcome to TMF, my family live in Bexhill and i was raised there. Now living in Stone Cross so not a million miles away. If you get that mini for £1k and there is no rust in the critical areas then its not too bad. What size engine is it?? And i would make sure the missfire is sorted before you pay money.

[alex-95]

Hi, welcome to TMF. What year is it?

[Alex_B]

Another local! always nice seeing more minis in this part of the world, more pictures required though

[phillmoore]

Hi, welcome to TMF. What year is it?

Its 2013 mate , keep up!

seriously though, its a h reg 1991 rover mini neon with a 998cc engine

its nice to see a few locals and i cant wait to get out in mine 'if' its alight , once i pass my test

[mk1leg]

Hi..and welcome to TMF and enjoy..................

[TheMiniDream]

Hi, welcome to TMF enjoy your mini, and have fun... you should go for it if you havnt already?

[phillmoore]

Hello again i did buy the mini for 1000 and ill add a project thread and link to here very soon if any of you would like to follow its restoration

After getting it back via trailer which was fun as half way home the horn kept going off all by itself which got a few looks and beeps from other drivers

I thought it was an electrical problem but turned out to be just a sticky stalk

After a thorough look all around i have found rust on the drivers side seal and a few other spots here and there but no major holes as yet so all an all good condition as long as theres no hidden 'extras' :fingerscrossed:

A quick pic of it in its rightful place with its cover just in view to the left , ill add the rest to my thread as soon as it up

Thank you to everyone who commented, especially the advice on where to check and i look forward to owning and driving a mini

Attached Files

•  2013-04-09 17.23.26.jpg   63.07K   6 downloads

[phillmoore]

My project thread is finnally up thankyou again

 

http://www.theminifo...ar-photo-heavy/