Hey, just wanted to introduce myself, I'm new on here and hopefully this kind of post isn't hated!

I am a big fan of the classic mini's and have saved up a bit of cash, just wanted some opinions on finding/researching in actually taking the step to buying one e.g: restoring/finding one road worthy

Im a long time lover, but I have never owned a mini.. I am in the SA area if that helps

Thanks in advance for any input im sure this forum will be a huge help for me

Plenty pop up, especially on eBay and Gumtree so you won't have a problem finding one.

Roadworthy is always a big question, even the smallest of oil leaks will stop a roadworthy being issued until its been repaired. You can always ask that the car come with one from the owner, which at the very least will identify the problems to you as the buyer.

Welcome to minis, and I hope you find what you're after.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

if you had posted about 2 weeks ago i knew of a 78 clubby with a freshly rebuilt 1100 in SA just needed a tune as it was running a tad on the rich side

just out of curiosity how much are you looking too spend?

& mick as long as its already got SA rego would be fine with a fixer upper as we dont have roadworthy checks but if it needs too go over the pits it needs to be A1 no major rust or leaks.

anyway, this 1 has caught my eye recently but photo's always make a car look better than it potentially is.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/grange/c ... 1061936317

or if your looking for something a little more rare there's this, even in current state its still a head turner as there arnt many sunshines on the road
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/hallett- ... 1061187420

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Thanks a lot for your help guys, I'm looking at spending around 5-6000 hopefully! I really like the black one you posted. Any tips on how to know if its in good condition etc? If it's a fake? Does that matter?

I'm new to this sorry, so basically what should I be looking out for?

Here is another that looks ok. One owner. New paint, tyres, engine. $4500

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/gawler/c ... 1063126048

Thanks heaps for the links, that looks nice! Do the high Ks matter? How do they run with such high Ks?

You only need to worry about the fakes if it a rare model that has a premium attached to the price tag. Cooper S mainly. I would try and get a car that has had both the body and mechanicals looked after with reciepts showing who has worked on it.

250,000km is not a lot considering the age. At least being a one owner you can get a very good history on what has been replaced.

Cool thanks again, so when inspecting the car are there any main items/defects to look for? anything in particular or just the general rust, mechanics, etc..

Id go for the yellow one owner any day of the week if i was looking for one looks like factory stock as well and not played around with

Sounds like the owner got parts and had dealings with mini king also known as mini kingdom online as well here in sydney

It can be like that, there are a few around and they are usually a little bit cheaper. Everything you can do to a round nose mini you can do to a clubman. Disc brakes, 1275, whatever.

A lot nicer to work on, and better seats...but horses for courses!

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Okay cool, sorry for my amateur questions aha! I do like the clubman but the round nose is very appealing.. hmm now ill have difficulty in deciding on what to look for!

I guess ill just have to keep looking, can't wait to get my hand on one now

New and s/h Parts are easy to get here in sydney from about 5 companys dont know about south oz but

Id try and get one that has rego on it as well

Is it possible to find a round nose for under $5000? that's not a for project car, I don't mind doing a bit of work but would like it to be drivable and maintained?

you can get lucky, i havent seen a roundy in SA under 5k in ages, there was a clubman quite cheap the other week with a roundy flip front but i think its since sold. anyway if you cant find a tidy roundy in your budget you could always convert a leyland later down the track, ive been thinking of doing that too my van as finding a tidy windowless roundy in aus isnt an easy.

but if your willing to strech out a bit def check this 1 out, only been advertised on the mini club website so far and mentioned on there fb page, ad is very honest & it looks pretty good condition http://www.miniclubsa.asn.au/?q=forsale

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