Wanna Be An Owner Of Mini

[danukapeiris]

Hi friends,

i'm new to this forum but a big time viewer of AutoLanka... so i have a big ambition to buy a MINI car but dont know anything about it and its conditions even the best price to purchase. can you guys kindly help me on this matter to find out a good mini for reasonable value to be a member of your proud MINI owners club

like to know about best car to buy ?

best price range to buy?

problems to face after purchasing ? and so and so

thanks

[kmeeg]

Hi friends,

i'm new to this forum but a big time viewer of AutoLanka... so i have a big ambition to buy a MINI car but dont know anything about it and its conditions even the best price to purchase. can you guys kindly help me on this matter to find out a good mini for reasonable value to be a member of your proud MINI owners club

like to know about best car to buy ?

best price range to buy?

problems to face after purchasing ? and so and so

thanks

Buying a MINI -

~~~~~~~~~~~

You can buy a MINI 1.3i Auto version for around 5-6 Lahks if you can find the places in Kurunegala.. <Will not be too hard to find>. Then you need to clear the documentation for the car (Normally this can be done by the same place). Finally you have a very good condition MINI.

Problems in MINI -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- Normally MINI 1.3i doesn't come with Power steering, Survo brakes. So you need to get use to the steering. Dnt ever try to stop the car like a new car, cause brakes are not that good. So you need to get used to that also.

- MINI doesn't have a good ground clearence, so you need to be carefull on that also. Also you have the Oil sump at the front just under the engine which is very low but you have a guard in front of it.

- MINI is having sealed beam headlights which might trouble you driving on rainy day with on comming traffic.

- MINI's engine is very compact and a bit heaty, so sometimes you might feel the heat inside, and MINI's A/C is not that good as a new car but managable is you are using MINI for fun and not using it far daily travel in hot sun.

- For engine troubles you defenitly have to go to a MINI specialist. DO NOT GO TO ORDINARY GARAGE'S..!!

- Since MINI is a old car how good you maintain you might get bubles on your paint here and there. So need to treat them also.

Finaly -

~~~~~

- If you like to collect cars they buy a MINI, it will give you loads of fun.. (Fix a good audio setup and RF speaker set.. it will give you the fun to the MAX..) If you plan to use the MINI for daily travelling better think twice.. Anyway all the best..

[Crosswind]

Congratulations on your decision. First up, are you looking for a New MINI or an old Mini ? (note that the new MINI has its name in caps)

I'm specifically asking this question because your display pic is a New MINI.

The following details only apply for the Mini (the old one). I am a former Mini user and I hope to get another one as soon as I can afford a second (or third, rather) car.

Although the outer appearance seems to be same at first glance, there are many versions of the Mini. The 1.3 EFI Rover version appears to be the most popular, although the one I had (Mk-V British Leyland version) seemed stronger and more reliable for me. Open Classic seems to be the most expensive around (may be more than 1.5 million for a perfectly maintained one).

Things to look for, when you buy one:

Check for corrosion and catloy. Minis are notorious for corrosion. Check the floorboard thoroughly. Check the surrounding areas of the rear glass, under the buffers, lower part of the doors (although u can replace doors, I don't recommend it cos fitting another set of doors perfectly is a hassle.

Don't ever buy one which has the sun roof. Sooner or later, u will need to drive with an umbrella.

Check the engine like u would check any other car's engine. Don't buy if u hear any 'miss' in the engine. It could be anything from spark plugs to problems with the engine. Better not to risk it.

Check for things like white smoke, sludge build-up and so on. Remember, Mini engines are not as cheap as Toyota engines.

Check the registration book properly. Check if the chassis number and the engine numbers match with what is in the book. Check if those numbers are in the right place. Check if the licenses are up to date and the VET is done (if necessary). Older Minis don't need the VET. It's always good if you buy one from a registered owner rather than one on open papers.

Take a good look at the owner to see if he is a Mini enthusiast or just a broker/bass/some random guy trying to peddle off a lemon.

As soon as you buy the car, change the Timing Chain (It's just a motorbike chain and shouldn't cost you more than 500 or 600), CV joints, Rack ends and other consumables.

Price ranges: I actually don't agree with kmeeg's comment. Price of a Mini is not determined by the options or the year of manufacture. Most of the time it depends on the actual condition of the car, how the owner has maintained it and how much he has loved it. You do find that Mini enthusiasts like to fix Minilite wheels and stuff which are expensive or some prefer to keep it on its original condition. You may find price ranges from 300,000 to 1 million or more. And the cheaper ones could be lemons on your hand. Generally, Mini enthusiasts spend a lot for their car. I spent well over 300,000 on mine for cosmetic upgrades alone, within a short period of time. For fixing sportspack wheels, Airconditioning the car, fixing a new dashboard, fixing a brake booster, cooper grille, sportspack seats etc.

So if you are looking for a cheap car, don't buy a Mini and suffer. Become a classic Toyota or classic Nissan enthusiast

In my humble opinion, I would suggest a Manual, 1000CC dished piston engine, which gives pretty good performance and fuel figures too (even with a carburetor). But I guess most people prefer the 1.3 EFI version.

@kmeeg:

Normally MINI 1.3i doesn't come with Power steering, Survo brakes. So you need to get use to the steering. Dnt ever try to stop the car like a new car, cause brakes are not that good. So you need to get used to that also.

You can fix a brake booster machan (what u call servo brakes). Cost me about 8000 few years ago. Thereafter you can stop it like a new car. But ur right about the steering. None of the classic Minis came with power steering.

MINI doesn't have a good ground clearence, so you need to be carefull on that also. Also you have the Oil sump at the front just under the engine which is very low but you have a guard in front of it.

I didn't have this problem because mine was a bit of a rare Mk V Mini that originally came with 12-inch wheels as opposed to 10-inch ones. And on top of that, my mechanic managed to make it 13-inches. That solved the ground clearance issue. He did it in a way that it didnt make the car ugly. So I was quite happy.

MINI's engine is very compact and a bit heaty, so sometimes you might feel the heat inside, and MINI's A/C is not that good as a new car but managable is you are using MINI for fun and not using it far daily travel in hot sun.

Whether the engine generates too much heat also depends on the condition of the engine. What I did was to get the mechanic to fix an additional cooling fan, fix McFoil on the cabin side of the engine bay and fix McFoil on the roof of the cabin. Heat wasn't a problem thereafter.

BTW my Mini was a daily runner and it never gave any issues.

For engine troubles you defenitly have to go to a MINI specialist. DO NOT GO TO ORDINARY GARAGE'S..!![/Quote]

Amen!

Also there are plenty of Mini enthusiasts on this forum u can get advice from.

Final words:

You must look after your Mini. Possibly more than your wife/girlfriend. Or else your Mini will make your life miserable.

Edited June 26, 2011 by Crosswind

[miniace]

Thats great!

Being an owner of a Mini is one of 100 things you should do before die!

There are many Minis advertised and most of them are Mk5 and above cars imported recently from Japan running the old Mini number.No harm and dont be afraid to buy one.

Infact my first advice is ,Dont go for Mk1- Mk4 cars since you are new to mini scene.You will never enjoy a Mk1-IV)

If possible a best buy would be a 1000cc single carb manual car.

Manual 1.3 Spi is the best buy and very expensive.Even a 1.3 carb engine is also ok.

Run your Mini on daily basis.Minis and Landys should run on daily basis to avoid troubles (surprising ne)

I have seen Minis advertised as Auto/Triptronic. Mini never came as Triptronic (Manumatic).If you mess withe auto box, you will end up replacing the whole engine.Mini A Series engine engine and transmission is one unit.

Overheating is a common Mini problem.Can be cured very easily.

Go for it mate! Buy one and list your inquires here ,You get Mini experts here.

MINIACE

[miniace]

Problems in MINI -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- Normally MINI 1.3i doesn't come with Power steering, Survo brakes. So you need to get use to the steering. Dnt ever try to stop the car like a new car, cause brakes are not that good. So you need to get used to that also.

All Mini Mk-V and above came with servo assisted. Brakes are one strong area of a good Mini.

Problems in MINI -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- MINI doesn't have a good ground clearence, so you need to be carefull on that also. Also you have the Oil sump at the front just under the engine which is very low but you have a guard in front of it.

Minis dont have a ground clearence issue of the design.Only early models of 10 inch had problems.A set of 12 inch or 13 in combination with adjustable hi-los, and all clearence problmes are over.

Problems in MINI -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- MINI is having sealed beam headlights which might trouble you driving on rainy day with on comming traffic.

Minis having sealed beams as standard?? and having problems with headlight??? Never experienced this before or even heard

Finaly -

~~~~~ If you plan to use the MINI for daily travelling better think twice.. Anyway all the best..

Minis are at best when used as a daily drive.I did the same for more than 4 years. I used to drive a Mini Vavuniya- Colombo and back every weekend for more than 6 months every weekend when I was based away, yet trouble free!

Pls dont mislead enthusiasts here.

MINIACE

Edited June 26, 2011 by miniace

[kmeeg]

All Mini Mk-V and above came with servo assisted. Brakes are one strong area of a good Mini.

Minis dont have a ground clearence issue of the design.Only early models of 10 inch had problems.A set of 12 inch or 13 in combination with adjustable hi-los, and all clearence problmes are over.

Minis having sealed beams as standard?? and having problems with headlight??? Never experienced this before or even heard

Minis are at best when used as a daily drive.I did the same for more than 4 years. I used to drive a Mini Vavuniya- Colombo and back every weekend for more than 6 months every weekend when I was based away, yet trouble free!

Pls dont mislead enthusiasts here.

MINIACE

Really respect all you Mini owners comments.. I just shared my experience on Mini. Its Mini Rover 1.3i (Auto Verision).. Anyway learnt alot from all you Mini experts comment. Should try to fix a brake boost (Vacuum servo) as first thing. Any possibility of power steering conversion..??

[Crosswind]

Really respect all you Mini owners comments.. I just shared my experience on Mini. Its Mini Rover 1.3i (Auto Verision).. Anyway learnt alot from all you Mini experts comment. Should try to fix a brake boost (Vacuum servo) as first thing. Any possibility of power steering conversion..??

No worries mate. Please fix a brake booster if u don't have one. Should be available in any of the usual spares places. It will make a big difference. Before u buy it, u need to check if the diaphragm is ok. Best way is to give a buzz to your mechanic when u find one.

Don't ever try to convert it to power steering. I believe one of the AL members tried that and it didn't quite work out. There's no original rack and pump for the Mini.

Try driving a manual one sometime

[kmeeg]

No worries mate. Please fix a brake booster if u don't have one. Should be available in any of the usual spares places. It will make a big difference. Before u buy it, u need to check if the diaphragm is ok. Best way is to give a buzz to your mechanic when u find one.

Don't ever try to convert it to power steering. I believe one of the AL members tried that and it didn't quite work out. There's no original rack and pump for the Mini.

Try driving a manual one sometime

Thanks alot Crosswind..

[miniace]

Really respect all you Mini owners comments.. I just shared my experience on Mini. Its Mini Rover 1.3i (Auto Verision).. Anyway learnt alot from all you Mini experts comment. Should try to fix a brake boost (Vacuum servo) as first thing. Any possibility of power steering conversion..??

Mate its surprising that you dont have servo brakes.Rover 1.3i powerplant and no servo?? Guess you went for a swap to an older Mini. Whats your current brake system? 8.4 inch disc non-servo with twin-circuit braking ? or 7inch discs? Sure can help.Please explain your current system and bodyshell model.

MINIACE

[miniace]

Don't ever try to convert it to power steering. I believe one of the AL members tried that and it didn't quite work out. There's no original rack and pump for the Mini.

Try driving a manual one sometime

I tried a power Steering conversion 2003-2004 using aftermarket Rover parts. Had bad results.removed and ran stock.EPS is a possibility and will experiment that in future.

MINIACE

[danukapeiris]

thanks all for your valuable comments.

[kaju]

Hi Everyone,

This post has been really helpful. Thank you. I've been looking to buy a Mini my self. This is will be the first car I buy.

I've been looking and reading up what ever I can find.

I'm looking for manual/efi/1300cc. Also looking to use this as a daily runner.

Is there anymore advice as of recently? Appreciate any input starting from what I should look for when I go to see a Mini.

[Ripper]

enough and more info on the forum already. pls run a search and you and bring one of those threads back to ask about things that might not have been discussed before

[miniace]

As Ripper mentioned, browsing old threads will help you a lot.

1.3 manual efis are rare and expensive, sure that's the ideal daily runner. Post your questions, you got many Mini experts and enthusiasts here.

MINIACE

[kaju]

Apologies for not doing a proper search.

@miniace: Is a efi mini harder/expensive to maintain ?

[miniace]

Apologies for not doing a proper search.

@miniace: Is a efi mini harder/expensive to maintain ?

No not expensive to maintain.

MINIACE

[Punisher]

hi, what would be the current range for a top condition 1.3EFI manual?

[miniace]

Touching one Million.

MINIACE

[KaluZ]

I just got into the MINI ownership a few months ago. The biggest mistake I made was to buy an MPI version rather than a SPI or a carb. I say this because the ECU on the MPI is rather hard to tap into and the integrated immobilizer is a pain.

That said, I love it.

Here are the things to look for on a test drive.

1) On the newer ones, 2nd gear seems to start wearing out early. way more evident on a cold start.

2) Rust

3) Steering bushings.

4) Check the suspension to see if its the original rubber version, or converted.

5) Have fun!!! Its a blast to own. For a fun factor, i will give it a 9/10!