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 Post subject: Shopping for a mini
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 11:42 am 
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will be leaving in about an hour to go look at my soon to be mini. My boss just wants me to come see it to make sure I want it.

what are the things I should be looking out for?

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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 11:48 am 
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Is there anyone who can go with you to check it out Cass ? Look for any rust , rust bubbles , cracks in paintwork or anything that doesn't look right with the panels (hard to describe but you can generally see the difference between steel and bodyfiller under paint unless it's really well done) . This is the one that's been sitting for years isn't it ? You should expect to have to redo all the brakes and clutch master cylinders , slave cylinder and wheel cylinders anyway so no point thoroughly testing them . Much the same with the motor , if it run's it's a bonus but would be best to accept you'll have to do a rebuild anyway after sitting for so long . Check out the wiring where it's visible in the engine bay and check it isn't eaten by rats or burnt .

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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:02 pm 
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Check under the battery and spare wheel for rust. Lift the carpet on the front of the floor and check for rust. The rest of the normal rust spots should be easily seen.

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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:17 pm 
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sports850 wrote:
Is there anyone who can go with you to check it out Cass ? Look for any rust , rust bubbles , cracks in paintwork or anything that doesn't look right with the panels (hard to describe but you can generally see the difference between steel and bodyfiller under paint unless it's really well done) . This is the one that's been sitting for years isn't it ? You should expect to have to redo all the brakes and clutch master cylinders , slave cylinder and wheel cylinders anyway so no point thoroughly testing them . Much the same with the motor , if it run's it's a bonus but would be best to accept you'll have to do a rebuild anyway after sitting for so long . Check out the wiring where it's visible in the engine bay and check it isn't eaten by rats or burnt .


Dad is coming with me. I already expect to be doing an engine rebuild. As once I have the car up and going, the barina will be going. it's been sitting for about 8 years. was running when my boss drove it into the warehouse. So I guess the main thing I want to be sure of is that it's not a complete rust bucket and that the body is relatively straight.

Thanks for your help guys. I will come home with pictures.

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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 4:54 pm 
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Well, I am very sad to say this is not the mini for me.

To start off with, it's a clubman (when I asked my boss if it was a roundy or clubman, he said "I don't know" so I said, is the front round or square. he said round. it's not.)

It needs more work than I am prepared to put into a car at this stage. The whole drivers side will need some attention. there is filler around the petrol cap. most of the chrome is in poor condition. Although the body is mostly pretty good. floors are all clean.
I really don't want to take the risk of getting this mini when I can't get it out of the garage to have a good play with. In saying that, it will be better off left in the warehouse in dry storage waiting for someone to give it the love it needs, rather than sitting outside on my front driveway waiting for me to earn more money. :cry:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 5:23 pm 
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Photos Cass?

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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 6:04 pm 
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ryan wrote:
Photos Cass?


decided not to take any. it was in a cramped little space, that was really hard to look at the mini let alone get good pics.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:17 pm 
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hug for cass...

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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:23 pm 
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Real Shame Cass :roll:

But ask your boss if he wants it gone and give you a spotters fee :lol: $100
Sure some on here would like it :shock: even if its a clubby :lol:

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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:25 pm 
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You did the right thing Cass.

THere are a million minis out there for sale (and don't forget the 75,000 Cooper S's still available), and you'll find the one that you fall in love with at first sight. Hang in there and don't settle for anything less than a mini you love!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:30 pm 
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just putting it out there...

there is a bit of work to be done to it.... but it is complete (basically) and a bloody top price for a van...!

i would... but like chow said... i too am waiting for the perfect minito come along...

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:44 pm 
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I just can't do it justice. I'd rather it go to a good home where it will get the love and attention it needs. I simply don't have the funds to give it that. nor at the moment do I have a good garage to keep it in (we might be moving to somewhere with no garage).
There was body filler. and I just don't know whats under there. and stuart doesnt know enough about the car to give me any confidence in it.

So I will call stuart tomorrow and ask him if he'd like me to put his details up in the forsale section.

It's a hard decision to make - to be sensible about this. but over all I just dont want to see a mini rotting away in my front yard.

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