14 replies to this topic

[Corey96Williams]

Hi,

 

I have been looking for my own classic mini, and I had my mind set on a rover. I've heard these are pretty reliable and "start first time every time".

But by word of mouth I've found a great Austin mini. I haven't done much research on these (as they tend to be more expensive), so I don't know enough about them. 

 

How reliable are they? 

(I intend on using this as a daily driver) 

 

Thanks,

Corey

[Fast Ivan]

well my recently purchased 77 clubman starts first time every time, as did the out going MPI

I think its more to do with how well you look after it and keep up on the servicing, and I'm not just talking about oil and filters but general condition of wiring, hoses etc. etc.

[Corey96Williams]

How often do you service it? Or considering you said recently purchased, how often would you service it? 

[CityEPete]

I'd find keeping the older car on the road easier and probably less rust prone! Regular thorough servicing, electronic ignition kit and plenty of rust treatment when the weather warms up should be fine with any mini really.

[Corey96Williams]

I've heard the Rovers are worse off for the rust, but would you say the Austins are built better mechanically?

[Fast Ivan]

How often do you service it? Or considering you said recently purchased, how often would you service it? 

 

normal service interval for oil and filters etc. but the reality is I'm working on it every week for one reason or another, if you're using it daily, like I do, then its going to take a bit more looking after but its not ball breaking, they are quire reliable really

[Corey96Williams]

 

How often do you service it? Or considering you said recently purchased, how often would you service it? 

 

normal service interval for oil and filters etc. but the reality is I'm working on it every week for one reason or another, if you're using it daily, like I do, then its going to take a bit more looking after but its not ball breaking, they are quire reliable really

 

I've happy to work on it, but my only concern is how often it would leave me stranded. Friends have told me they've been late for work for one reason or another...

[Fast Ivan]

well that's the point about servicing and keeping on top of it - it wont leave you stranded, well less likely to anyways

I only work five miles away and have flexible working hours so no big issue if it lets me down really, but that said in nearly 3 years I think the only time I've not made it to work is when I've ran out of petrol once, not really down to the mini though to be fair

[spiguy]

In all the years of mini ownership, and I used a mini for a daily for about 12 years, I only ever 'broke down' twice. Once was actually my own fault, as I had gone out to the work car park to check a brake pipe I had replaced, found a small leak and then stripped it in trying to tighten it up (I had cross threaded the pipe). The other time was caused by a wire chafing through on the clutch master cylinder body and shorting out.

 

I would say that in theory a mini should be more 'reliable' than alot of modern cars, because they can still soldier on with things that are not quite right, usually giving you warning that you need to sort it asap! This would be especially true on a carb mini, which has no sensors or engine management.

 

Slight exception is the injection cars, I wouldn't say that they are particularly more likely to let you down, just that in theory there is more chance that something *could* bring you to a stop - basically because they have a few sensors and an ECU - the Rover ECU in the mini is very reliable though. As an example, the crankshaft sensor failing will stop the car dead. Having said that I have never encountered that problem.

 

On a carb mini, the only thing that would likely catch you out would be an ignition fault - eg failed distributor points, or wet leads (a bit of wd40 will sort that) However this should be pretty unlikely on a well maintained carb mini.

 

So in summary, I say minis are very reliable. The mechanicals in particular are extremely reliable, only potentially let down by the chance of an ancillary part failing, and even then it's not common and not always going to bring to you a halt. A few spares, a basic tool kit and a little knowledge and there's very little that will leave you stranded.

 

I'm now laughing because I am just recalling a 1986 mayfair (so a carb car) I had for a few years. For some reason it would not start on the key, but it would bump start no problem. So I would push it then jump in and bump start it, every morning. Then, half way to work I would pull over, and whilst leaning round the car, operate the clutch pedal and use a spanner to bleed the clutch slave cylinder - there was a leak so it would fill with air very quickly, until the clutch wouldn't disengage! Can't imagine being able to limp a modern car along like that !

 

I should point out this was a very rough car, which I wasn't really looking after very well

 

Incidentally - when you compare Rover with Austin, bear in mind that the real comparison is injection / carb - Rover made carb minis up until the SPi in 1992.

 

The real question is does the thought of getting your sleeves up and having a more involved role with the maintenance of your car worry you or do you look forward to that opportunity? If you are prepared to get involved with the car, I think you would find it rewarding and lots of fun!

 

Edit - my personal view is that the SPi minis made from around 92-96 are one of the best. The SPi system works very well and is pretty bulletproof if looked after and armed with a bit of knowledge.

Edited by carlukemini, 11 January 2015 - 10:59 PM.

[Corey96Williams]

In all the years of mini ownership, and I used a mini for a daily for about 12 years, I only ever 'broke down' twice. Once was actually my own fault, as I had gone out to the work car park to check a brake pipe I had replaced, found a small leak and then stripped it in trying to tighten it up (I had cross threaded the pipe). The other time was caused by a wire chafing through on the clutch master cylinder body and shorting out.

 

I would say that in theory a mini should be more 'reliable' than alot of modern cars, because they can still soldier on with things that are not quite right, usually giving you warning that you need to sort it asap! This would be especially true on a carb mini, which has no sensors or engine management.

 

Slight exception is the injection cars, I wouldn't say that they are particularly more likely to let you down, just that in theory there is more chance that something *could* bring you to a stop - basically because they have a few sensors and an ECU - the Rover ECU in the mini is very reliable though. As an example, the crankshaft sensor failing will stop the car dead. Having said that I have never encountered that problem.

 

On a carb mini, the only thing that would likely catch you out would be an ignition fault - eg failed distributor points, or wet leads (a bit of wd40 will sort that) However this should be pretty unlikely on a well maintained carb mini.

 

So in summary, I say minis are very reliable. The mechanicals in particular are extremely reliable, only potentially let down by the chance of an ancillary part failing, and even then it's not common and not always going to bring to you a halt. A few spares, a basic tool kit and a little knowledge and there's very little that will leave you stranded.

 

I'm now laughing because I am just recalling a 1986 mayfair (so a carb car) I had for a few years. For some reason it would not start on the key, but it would bump start no problem. So I would push it then jump in and bump start it, every morning. Then, half way to work I would pull over, and whilst leaning round the car, operate the clutch pedal and use a spanner to bleed the clutch slave cylinder - there was a leak so it would fill with air very quickly, until the clutch wouldn't disengage! Can't imagine being able to limp a modern car along like that !

 

I should point out this was a very rough car, which I wasn't really looking after very well

 

Incidentally - when you compare Rover with Austin, bear in mind that the real comparison is injection / carb - Rover made carb minis up until the SPi in 1992.

 

The real question is does the thought of getting your sleeves up and having a more involved role with the maintenance of your car worry you or do you look forward to that opportunity? If you are prepared to get involved with the car, I think you would find it rewarding and lots of fun!

 

Edit - my personal view is that the SPi minis made from around 92-96 are one of the best. The SPi system works very well and is pretty bulletproof if looked after and armed with a bit of knowledge.

Great!

 

I'm more than happy to work on it, in fact I'd prefer it. More of a hobby than just a runabout. 

 

Scarily, the mini in question I'm looking at is a 1986 Mayfair 

[spiguy]

Ha ha, don't worry

 

Keep on top of maintenance and you'll be fine.

[lsto]

Didn't realise the badge made any difference to reliability lol.

My first mini, a mini 30 had Leyland Austin rover on the vin plate so I'm not sure what that was, and it had Austin rover on the log book.

My 91 rover cooper has been reliable, but then again so was my 30. Mainly it depends on how you maintain it rather than manufacturing as the youngest cars are at least 15 years old now, it more depends on the life they had, and how well they have been looked after

[cal844]

My 1993 sprite(spi body and engine but carb fed) runs on forever, starts first turn every turn!

[Brigbeale]

I used to do a Chinese delivery round and the first mini was an Austin badged Mayfair on a 'B' plate. Almost every week, I was doing something to it, but then I was belting around doing at least 50 miles a night for 6 days a week. Only sold it as one of the customers sons wanted it and offered me more than I paid for it. He hit the back of a Renault Megane with it within a week. Slight dent under the headlight was the only damage. The Megane didn't come off so lightly!!

Next up was an 'F' plated Designer with Mini25 seats, big arches and compomotive 13" wheels (oh how I wish I'd kept them!!). I got it for nothing as it had no Mot and it had broken down and someone decided to tow it using the slam panel. Not recommended unless you are good at welding the front back together. Repaired that by straightening the panel and welding it back in. Put it in for its mot and it passed. So used that. Didn't have to do a thing to it apart from replace the air filter - which is why it broke down in the first place. Strangely enough, another customer wanted that one as well. Hmm pattern forming here!!

That was the last mini I actually had until my son bought the 'G' plated Racing Green - which mechanically and equipment wise is the same as the Mayfair and Designer minis I had owned. Trim colours seem to be the only difference. Rover were the Kings of Special Editions.

Apart from a couple of quibbles, and a bodge job now repaired properly, this Mini has been reliable transport for my son and even when my other half asks him if he wants a modern car, he refuses to let his beloved Mini go.

Edited by Brigbeale, 12 January 2015 - 11:13 AM.

[Corey96Williams]

It's good to hear there's virtually no difference 

 

Thanks