9 replies to this topic

[Add_Gee]

First off, sorry I know this sort of question is really subjective and hard to quantify but just after a ball park idea to see if it's worth approaching some companies to quote the job properly.

 

I have a 1997 Cooper, had a professional respray in 2012 with a new front end and few other bits sorting so the front and anything midline up is in really good condition.

 

Unfortunately they used oversills which have now rusted through and also the rear of the car has quite a bit of rot.

 

I've listed the work I think is required but have no idea the costs involved for someone to do the welding. (I'll price up the panels and ignore painting etc for now. I'd also strip the car down and rebuild so really just the cost of the metal work):

 

Inner and Outer sills both sides

Maybe door step repairs, they seem solid but can see some filler has been used

Maybe small repairs to front foot wells

Tops of rear arches, big holes but the strut towers seem to be solid

Small repairs to rear quarter panels, lower sections where they met the inner arches and sills

Boot floor - holes in the rear corners, around subframe mounting and in wheel well (the battery box is solid! lol)

Boot hinge panel - full width extending under the lights

Rear Valance

The rear healboard looks to have been repaired before and seems solid.

 

Any rough ideas greatly appreciated, would love to get it back on the road but not sure if I could afford it.

 

Thanks, Adam

 

 

[Ethel]

I wouldn't like to guess prices, but I will say "more is less", meaning it will be cheaper to replace larger chunks than unpick lots of seams to weld new to old.

 

There's nearly always more rot than you think when you get in to it too, so over budget before you start.

[nicklouse]

have a look at http://www.theminifo...t/#entry3557440

[Add_Gee]

Thanks for the responses, that was my worry, getting into it and then finding the costs spiralling and can't afford it.

 

I've got about £2k to spend but no ideas if thats anywhere near (I know I won't be getting any paintwork done in that budget).

[sonikk4]

To be honest you need to have someone physically look at the car to assess it rather than us throwing guesses at you.

 

Like most things mini, what you see is the tip of the iceberg.

 

I would say you will need complete inner arches rather than repairs, the door steps, replace completely, there will be more under them.

 

Complete inner sills will mean going under the companion boxes and to the heelboard. Not the easiest of jobs to do especially as the companion bins need to come out to do this job properly. As the bottom of the quarters are rusty this will also help. The inner arches are easy to do with the rear quarters off, this will also assist in doing the inner sill.!!!!

 

The boot floor repairs. Now i would be looking at the state of the boot floor on the underside as well as inside. If its crusty at all underneath then realistically a complete boot floor would be the way forward. You are replacing the rear valance and boot hing panel anyway so it will all be apart.

 

So it all sounds a bit daunting, but if you are thinking of keeping the car long term then its worth doing properly.

 

Don't forget to use your TMF+ membership discount as this will help with panel purchasing.

 

Also what i have described is what i have had to do on two full restos and another resto without a boot floor replacement. Hindsight being a wonderful thing i should have change that on that particular car as well.

 

Look under my signature at Project Paddy and also look up Wills Mini Special. That will show you everything that will need to be done to your car and more. 

[Add_Gee]

Yeah I think I knew the answer really, lol, thanks for taking the time to respond. It will most likely stay tucked up in the garage for a while yet 

[johnR]

Garages will sometimes take a car on as a side project where they work on it when they have a spare hour or so. This should get you a cheaper rate and give you more time a) to save up and b) to restore the parts to go back on.
The downside is that it may take some time to complete, so as long as you're not in a rush...
Even so your £2k won't be enough for a decent job on the welding alone and then you'll need more for the re-spray.

[dyshipfakta]

You are going to be better off selling and buying another in better condition

[johnR]

The trouble is that unless a car can be proved to have been recently properly restored you don't know what's lurking under the paint and you could pay more and get a car in worse condition. If you already own this car I'd stick with it and either buy a few parts when you can afford them and save for the work or take a course and build it yourself.

[Bat]

Hi,

If you plan on keeping this car then I'd get the car inspected or have a good look yourself, post pics and ask questions.

Then buy panels as and when you have the money in hand.

The prices are always going up so I'd buy now and store them until needed.

Cheers