Minimania

RoundyMooney

The ongoing saga of Mrs. Roundy's mode of transport continues.

She wants a Mini (the 1959-2001ish type). Prices here are crazy so I'm looking at importing. The funny thing I notice is that age doesn't seem to be a factor when it comes to cost, at least in Britland.

The size of the car will be fine and all that, but the only concern I have is the Mini's notorious lack of resistance to rot. I know that one or two specialists offer a comprehensive rust proofing service, but I wouldn't want to do this too late in the day if you get me.

So, two questions I'm hoping for help with:

Were later cars galvanised or more resiliant in any way due to the manufacturing process?

In owners opinions (I only had one briefly-a rotbox-back in the day), are they a viable motor to keep under the weather?

TIA,

R.

1275gt

RoundyMooney wrote:

Were later cars galvanised or more resiliant in any way due to the manufacturing process?

Nope, in fact later cars were worse than most of the older models. My girlfriend owned one of the last classic minis produced (Late 00 model) and had to have a large section of the front replaced because of Rovers practice of using cheap steel and layers of paint thinner than kate moss. Unless a later car has had a full rust overhaul and waxoly'd and rust treated, steer well clear. Also UK cars suffer twice as bad because of their salty roads.

I help out on a site, Miniresource.com - its a huge bunch of friendly folk from the UK and ireland. Your best bet is to have a look over there, theres always loads of cars for sale (uk & ireland)

I recommend going to the UK or up north to buy your car, even with the dreaded VRT you'll still save hundreds if not thousands. Prices down south are absolutely crazy lately. You should be able to pick up something really clean and trouble free (as much as thats possible with a mini) for around 3-4k euro (and that includes vrt)

if you need to know anything specific about ownership (parts, servicing etc), PM me or tootle over to miniresource!!

green-blood

1275, gods gift to minis

I have a 66 mk1 and recenmtly sold a 99, the 66 had less rust!! Get a car in the best condition as far as bodywork goes, everything else is an easy off the shelf part

junkyard

There's one for sale out in Farnanes, done up to look like a Mini Cooper if your interested, in fact I think he has a couple of them.

RoundyMooney

Thanks guys.

Paddy, forgive my denseness today, but where's Farnane's?



1275, I should have pm'ed you in the first instance. With a name like that you'd have to know your stuff!

I had my suspicions about the older cars being better alright. The trick is balancing age (rust resilient) against modernity (less chance of grot in the first place). I think restored well is definitely the way to go. I prefer the old centre gauge models anyway, as I had one once.

I'm off to register over on miniresource...

Thanks again.

junkyard

Farnanes is about 6 or 7 miles out from the Sarsfield roundabout out the Macroom road, I'll P.M. you his details if you want to see them Roundy.

RoundyMooney

Please.

That's only ten minutes max from the office, so I might take a trip out tomorrow or Monday.

junkyard

P.M. sent.

1275gt

RoundyMooney wrote:

1275, I should have pm'ed you in the first instance. With a name like that you'd have to know your stuff!

now i wouldnt go that far im a copy and paste merchant :P

I had my suspicions about the older cars being better alright. The trick is balancing age (rust resilient) against modernity (less chance of grot in the first place). I think restored well is definitely the way to go.

absolutely bang on my friend, if you stick to those rules and dont let your heart rule your head you should pick up something real nice

RoundyMooney

That's a fine forum btw. Surprisingly full of people from this side of the water, if anyone is reading and fancies dropping by. A wealth of info to be had...

Junk, thanks for those contact details.

This seems typical of the Irish mini market at the minute.

1275gt

RoundyMooney wrote:

This seems typical of the Irish mini market at the minute.

dude, believe me thats nothing compared to some of the chicken coops ive seen lately. my mate was looking and i tagged along coz he didnt know much about minis, a guy had a 'cooper lookalike' advertised for 4,500euro.
it was an absolute deathtrap :mad: had a valid NCT cert for a year, this thing was likely to break apart under any sort of duress (and im not exagerrating)
you wouldnt take it for scrap. i was quite annoyed, but the more annoying thing is that some poor sod's gonna be out of pocket for a couple of grand with their dreams of mini ownership disappearing down a shore in muddy brown mess

god im a ray of sunshine today arent i

RoundyMooney

I think a lot of people who aren't intimate with minis don't realise that just because the car may sport say a '95 or '96 plate, that doesn't mean that it's bodywork is necessarily as sound as a 96 Micra...

At the end of the day, it's a 47 year old design, and Rover (and BL) were never exactly reknowned for build quality in the first place.