Mine has got those “puddle” door lights (fitted by precious owner). I thought they’d be really expensive, but it turns out they’re as cheap as chips (£25 ish)
I liked the increased size of BMW first Mini iteration as it suited our requirement for a small car for a family of 2+2. No way could we have coped with the Rover Mini we had it was too small even when we were 2+1. However as stated previously they have grown too large and barely resemble a mini.
So… I’ve done a thing. Which I will almost certainly regret… bought this off my mate for what he paid for it… £300. He’s a mechanic so going to help me source a new engine and it’s tatty, but it’s perfect as a project, and even has a couple of nice bits on it like uprated intercooler, pulley and coil pack. the plan is to leave it at my mates workshop, source a engine, put it in with new clutch and get it started then MOT it, all trims and bits and pieces can be done over time, and basically a bit of a rolling restoration. it’s got early xenon’s, climate control, pan roof etc, even has cruise control etc. so at least the potential is there I’m mad… I know I am…
it’s deffo got an oil leak but will see when I pull the engine out! I do think it will end up costing me what a half decent used one is, probably £3k when I’m done, but I’ll know the car, and will do a load of bits that I guarantee a £3k one will need like supercharger service, new clutch, probably new shocks
My girl is back from the garage The coolant tank was leaking from the middle seal and after checking an invoice the last garage had put red antifreeze in The top mounts were broken at the front and I had new springs all round as they were badly corroded. A new brake pipe ds rear the other three were new at some point I guess that one wasn't done as the fuel tank has to come off and rocker/sump/timing cover seal all renewed Picked her up today and she is running lovely Mechanic would buy her if I didn't want her he said she looks great for her age and a lovely colour too
Had it on the ramp last week, to start making a list of what I need to get it running. We went round it as if it was an MOT from the perspective of bushes and rust etc. As suspected it needs a fuel tank strap, and has a decat so will remove that, otherwise not bad really, a buckled wheel, rusty brake pipes and hoses and a couple of rear springs required. up front, Lower ball joints for competeness and a drive shaft boot. then the big one is the engine, which I think I have a plan for, so we will get it back on his project lift at the end of this month and swap the engine and do all the usual seal replacements etc on the new one when we fit it.
What junked the engine? I know it has a smaller supercharger pulley but has it also got the larger injectors fitted? IIRC, I read that the OE injectors can’t flow enough fuel in high boost conditions, so the engine runs lean which can burn pistons through.
we haven’t bothered starting it yet, might do that at the weekend, but he reckoned it dropped a rod, but there’s not damage to the block so maybe piston. I reckon you are right though mate, I’d guess it’s got a 17% pulley on it without so much as putting colder plugs in, let alone the injectors. I’ll be putting a 15% pulley on the new engine with cooler plugs and I think probably do the injectors for good measure providing the engine doesn’t need remapping to use them. I’ve got the first load of parts turned up that I need in prep for the new engine, so for example a header with catalytic converter in. The exhaust is a Malian one, not my taste AT ALL, but with a cat hopefully should be just quiet enough and I’ll give it a good clean up. Decent milltek pipe is on the list though when it’s running and MOT’d. you can see how knackered the fuel tank strap is, I’ve already got one delivered, and I need some heat shields etc but otherwise not loads to do on the body, it’s mostly getting the engine sorted
Bought this little beauty the other day for my Twin daughters to learn to drive in. I’ve been driving it around & can’t believe how much fun it is …..how have I never owned a mini before ? Makes me smile every time I’m in it !
My list of purchases is increasing!it’s just about picking up stuff I ever need just to get it running, or I need for the MOT, for example the rear number plate lights, if you buy just the lights, people want silly money, so I bought the whole tailgate switch with lights already in.. and I bought a new coolant tank, just because I know @Ducbird feels passionately about how crap they are! Haha
