27 replies to this topic

[Mini Manannán]

I don't believe 5 minutes, even at a 'brisk pace' is near enough to get everything up to temperature

[Peter_NottinghamS]

I don't believe 5 minutes, even at a 'brisk pace' is near enough to get everything up to temperature

That's a short run. Typically I'm out for 20-minutes or so.

[Blumeanie]

It only takes one splash - and that will get the rot started...

I would keep the mini away from any roads where salt (or any de-icing chemicals) are used.

When I was in that position I used a Lanolin based product - on my daily
driver.

Even modern vehicles suffer from this stuff!

[Raggie]

But snow! Never miss a chance to hit snow in a mini!
 

[sonscar]

Just drive it,it's a car.Others will differ.Steve..

[Icey]

Ours is taxed for 6 months, in the garage for the rest.

 

Minis have short lives when used through winter no matter how much you care for them. Most lasted ~10 years as 'daily' cars before needing serious work (the later the car, the worse/shorter it is). To put it another way, ours has lasted longer since we rebuilt it than it did when BL built it, and other than wear-and-tear the body hasn't aged much in the last 15 years because we don't let the weather get to it.

[mini-mad-mark]

Minis were used every day and had poor corrosion resistance- most are now only used once or twice a week or less even so they are not so likely to suffer 

 

And generally people do avoid the very worst weather now with them whereas they were dailies and you HAD to use them whatever the weather

 

I have lost count of the number of times I had to scrape frost off the windscreen - ON THE INSIDE    

Edited by mini-mad-mark, 21 December 2024 - 09:43 PM.

[absx2]

I`ve used my daily through 19 winters in deep wet Cornwall where the salt is always on the road as it blows off the sea and the car is still in excellent condition but you have to keep an eye out for paint chips etc and keep the mud off the rear shocks and subframe.

 

I agree with scrapping the inside of the windscreen  but due to the screen being upright and short it gives better visibility as it`s less affected by the low winter sun if we get any.

 

The special potion I used was basically waste oil mixed with wax oil type stuff and it went everywhere.

Chain lube got in the places I couldn`t reach. I used chain lube suitable for O ring chains as it won`t rot rubber so it can be applied around the doughnuts and bushes.

You never see a rusty front subframe with a leaky engine do you.

 

Having worked on hundreds of minis over 40 odd years you quickly find out which areas to pay particular attention to and people miss things like the doors. You have to remove them, turn them upside down and soak the top rail or the condensation will rot the top of the door under the chrome trim.

Same goes for the back window rail above the boot lid and the side windows, scuttle panel and window pillars.

Another place is the roof corners, peel back the headlining and remove the sponge that was obviously put there to trap condensation and rot the roof out and give a light coating.

 

If moisture and salt can`t touch metal it will be less likely to rot out. There`s some good products available now and with fastidious application it will help to preserve the car for sure but at the end of the day the steel panels are an oxide and an oxide wants to return to it`s original form which is a chunk of brown stuff just like one day we will also turn to dust which is why I enjoy my mini all year round 

 

There are two more that are tucked away for the winter but we won`t talk about that 

[Davetom]

Did you get Ac Dodd to rebuild your carb ? Just reading your post from September and you were thinking about it. ( I’m considering it too hence the question )

speaking of front wheel arches you might want to have a good look at the closing panels right up in the top corners and make sure they're all well sealed around the seams, a bit of carefully applied clear bathroom sealant or something if necessary, water and crud flicks up there constantly off the wheels and it's an easy place for rust to start forming

may well be fine if recently refurbed but worth a look

Great advice but he's like new underneath.

Thank you.

[Peter_NottinghamS]

Did you get Ac Dodd to rebuild your carb ? Just reading your post from September and you were thinking about it. ( I’m considering it too hence the question )

speaking of front wheel arches you might want to have a good look at the closing panels right up in the top corners and make sure they're all well sealed around the seams, a bit of carefully applied clear bathroom sealant or something if necessary, water and crud flicks up there constantly off the wheels and it's an easy place for rust to start forming

may well be fine if recently refurbed but worth a look

Great advice but he's like new underneath.

Thank you.

Not yet. I do want to get it refurbed before the Spring but I'm still using the car on dry days over the winter but wanting it running perfect for the Spring/Summer season.

I'll keep you posted.

[Peter_NottinghamS]

A quick update on this.

 

I've been using Marvin at least once-a-week and restricting drives to dry days. 

 

The runs have been around 10 - 15-miles and largely on B-roads, may of which never see a gritter.

 

After each run his underside and arches have been jet washed and the underside sponged and jet washed.  He continues to look like new underneath.

 

He's garaged once dry and pushed into the small garage and parked with the handbrake off.  He's pulled out manually and the garage is opened regularly and dry air allowed to flow into the garage.

 

I am 100% sure that this is the correct winter regime.  He did have a longer spell when the weather was awful without seeing daylight and the brakes needed freeing with a little rock to and fro and he rolled out nicely.

 

I got him to start when it was -2c although that did test the battery!!

 

My wife and I thoroughly enjoy our 'Marvin Adventures' and the owner of the car, our son, actually got to drive him last week when he was up our way on business.  He hasn't stopped grinning yet. 

 

The exam question was use or store until spring: my answer is USE! 

[roblightbody]

This year, I've been lightly using it every couple of weeks when the weather allows (no salt).

I think it's better for the car, and it also helps me be more confident about it working ok come spring

[Peter_NottinghamS]

This year, I've been lightly using it every couple of weeks when the weather allows (no salt).

I think it's better for the car, and it also helps me be more confident about it working ok come spring

 

Same.  Marvin has been a troublesome child, as most out of the UK Minis competition page seem to be, but he's running sweetly at the moment and enjoys the cooler weather, so no overheating issues.