Hey,

I'm looking at buying a mini (we all know that) but the one I am interested in at the moment has usual rust. The floor, and boot are fine, the doors are ok and engine bay only has a tiny amount round the grille area. The problem areas are the seams at the arch corner by the door and on the rear upright seams. It doesn't go all the way through, but there is a few good 5 cent coin size holes going down.
I'm prepared to get the car resprayed, but I've been advised to find a car with a perfect paint job. My problem is I don't want to find out that 2 months later is is all coming to the surface, and it has to be done again.
The car is still very solid (built in '88), I just need to know either how hard this problem could be to fix, or whether I should try to find a rust free car.

I don't recon you will really know a car is rust free until you have taken it back to bare metal.
I helped my brother strip his Z and there was rust under a patch of perfect paint, just waiting to emerge

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

Did you say 1988 built car?? is it a mark 3 or later? if so I'd hardly think that the rust could be that bad on a 17yr old car could it?

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

That's what I'm hoping. Since the car was built later on, perhaps the rust visable is all it has? The car has only been in Australia for 18 months or so. It was previously in japan, but I'm not sure how long the cars last over there, or if it woulds already have rust issues that have already been covered up. What's more likely?

Well you can't count on age being like a garantee that there is no rust... 17 yrs is plenty of time for rust to set in... Maybe an NRMA inspection might be worth your while??...

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Possibly, but how well can they determine the rust state, and where it might not be visable?

nrma cheaks are a waste of money and time you can do what they do yourself rust is a sad fact with mini's and barematal respray is the onlyway to find all the rust
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

OK, Can I hear from rover mini owners, though you will have rust issues, how bad do you find it compared to an aussie car?

I would think that unless you buy a car (say early Australian mini) that someome has loved and already done a bare metal respray on then any Japanese import would be better. Hasn't had as long a life. You would think that you would be starting with a better shell.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

I reckon a recent model gives you the best chance of having minimal rust. Another thing is if you know the vehicle history and where it has been located ie cars near the coast are likely to have more rust than those that have spent thier life inland.
I guess you have to decide what you think is best and go for it and if has got rust well you just have to repair it.
Look at where the rust is and whether or not it will be easily repairable, whether it is likely to be structural or just cosmetic and obviously how deep.

But when I buy a mini I just look at it, fall in love with it, and then just have to have it.

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

as long as it has not6 come over from england mini's there start to rust within 17 months because of the salt on the road
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

Is it an auto or a manual.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

This is an auto. You can see the car on ebay, just search for "mini mayfair"

I was looking at it before it was on there, so this is my chance to get it for what I'm prepared to pay as opposed to the $8,000 he wanted some time ago.

I thought so, we have been looking at that for John to drive to work, much easier for him with an auto.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

You wanna do a transmission swap?