30 replies to this topic

[Dusky]

That's too much tbf. A 7500$ mini would buy you a pristine one in Europe. Shipping isn't too expensive either ( 1200 usd for the container, then 4-600 for transport to the harbor) then another 1-2k for the paperwork and transport in the US.

[some1158]

Well, I've learned something new today.  I had no understanding of oversills before this thread so thank you, everyone, for a valuable lesson.  As far as I understand it, the oversill has no opening in those bulging squares while the correct sill does, right?  And, from what I recall via the virtual Zoom viewing and that pic, these were closed bulging squares.

 

So, now that we know they are oversills, what do I do to check?  Will pulling interior carpets above them show me any terrible hidden rust or am I just left guessing?

 

Pulling back the carpets might show a problem but to be honest the only way to really know for sure is to take off the oversills, under which there could be a rust sandwich where several layers of metal meet, spreading across the floor.

 

Opinions do vary on the unvented sills and there are some who say that, used very carefully, they can be ok. However, even leaving aside the rust question, they make a different structure from the 'correct' sills, which isn't ideal. They can potentially also suggest that the owner has cut corners, which might beg the question: have any other corners been cut, elsewhere?

[VadGTI]

Bumping this up because I'm still trying to work out a way to get this car.  Also thanks to Waco Mini for all his help!

 

The seller sent me pictures of the floorboards at each corner (left, right, both front and rear) and the pockets mentioned above.  Looks clean.  Any thoughts from the community as to whether this tells me that the metal under the oversill is still good?

 

Right front:





Left front:



Rear left:




Rear right:






Rear seat pocket right:






Rear seat pocket left:





 

 

[cal844]

That car will need inner and outer sills and heel board ends within 5 years so budget accordingly

[VadGTI]

That car will need inner and outer sills and heel board ends within 5 years so budget accordingly

 

Based on the old pictures or the new pictures?

[cal844]

That car will need inner and outer sills and heel board ends within 5 years so budget accordingly

Based on the old pictures or the new pictures?

Using the images you posted today there's a 99% chance you'll need the above mentioned panels and welding within 5 years

[VadGTI]

 

 

That car will need inner and outer sills and heel board ends within 5 years so budget accordingly

Based on the old pictures or the new pictures?

Using the images you posted today there's a 99% chance you'll need the above mentioned panels and welding within 5 years

 

 

 

Can you point out the specific issues that lead to that conclusion?  I'm truly clueless with this.

[cal844]

The seam sealer and bitumen coating on the floors traps water.

Also there looks to be rust stains around the seam sealer on all panel joins in the images.

The real issue though is the rust along the top and bottom edges of the vertical panel under the seat base (last image listed in your post as rear right). To repair this means removing the rear subframe, making a jig and cutting it out... When it does eventually fail any MOT type tests.

But other than these potential age related issues the car looks good

Edited by cal844, 28 August 2021 - 09:09 AM.

[sonscar]

Does it matter?in your head you have already bought it.Drive it a while and fix it as needed,Steve..

[sonikk4]

If it helps at all, when I bought Paddy with oversills, the floors and inner sills looked immaculate.

Once I took the oversills off there was some surface rust higher up that could have very easily been treated but where the oversills had been welded to the floor and at the ends, the metal there was pitted.

However I treated everything, gave it a coat of primer and topcoat and sailed on happily for the next two years of motoring with no further rust trouble. BUT I knew I was going to fully restore the car which included replacing the vast majority of all external and internal panels. Now would the inner sills have lasted longer before I removed them, I would have said yes and probably for at least another five years or so but I rarely drove the car in the wet and certainly not during the winter.

Until they come off you truly do not know what you will find. As a rule of thumb with everything mini, the rust always starts from behind, so within box sections etc.

Your choice but if the rest of the car ticks the boxes then happy days. Rust can be fixed, you can teach yourself to weld and it’s not as daunting as you may think. There is plenty and I mean plenty of info on TMF to help guide you.

[62S]

For an unrestored 20+ year old Mini it looks to be in excellent condition. The sills look original to me, the open part of the sill vents is the lower or inside edge; also, if they were oversills I would expect evidence of welding with burning of the floor covering inside.

A good clean and polish would work wonders on that. It would last well for many years in the California climate with the use you suggest.

[cal844]

I do agree that the car looks in immaculate order for the age... I say buy it, my previous comments were only trying to let you know that you will have work ahead

[VadGTI]

Perhaps I should update this thread.  I ended up buying it.  It left Japan on 10/30 and is expected here in Los Angeles on 11/26.  I will update again when it arrives.

 

Parting shots from the seller.

 

 

 

 

 

[Aly-g]

I do agree that the car looks in immaculate order for the age... I say buy it, my previous comments were only trying to let you know that you will have work ahead

As with any mini...! Work will need to be done as it ages ,bit like humans I guess! Enjoy your mini while you can, isn't why we own them ? For the challenge of keep them on the road.

Allan

[Tornado99]

Congrats. Please let us know how it look in person. My advice, get it undercoated using a product like FluidFilm, WoolWax, CavityWax etc both on all underside surfaces and inside doors, hood/bonnet stiffeners and inside those sills. These products "creep" into nooks/crannies and between panels....basically anywhere water can hide. Done regularly (once a year when occasionally driven in rain), it will halt further rust progress. You may get away with just minor paint touch ups or re-spraying affected panels. 

you are going to need $$$ for standard engine/suspension work on these cars, so gotta start a saving fund....