I have some work i need don my mini and so far iv taken it to Greig at mini classic(whom iv found to be very good).Near where i live is a mechanic who has worked on my girlfriends families cars for years and he is trust worthy,what advice has everyone got for someone who wants to take their mini to a non mini mechanic who has experience working on minis.The work i need doing is on my alternator,brakes,and sdeedo cable not full on engine work,sometimes i think i can be a bit precious with my car thinking that only a mini specialist can do the work,how hard can they be to work on thanks

It's really hard to find a good mechanic who knows his way around mini's these days, unless this guy is over the age of 40 i'd seriously think about it.

Do you really want to pay someone else to learn on your car?

Greig knows what he is doing and although a little expensive, he does take less time to get the job done, simply because he knows his way around the car.

Alternator work any mechanic can do though, brake work i would take to a mini specialist and the speedo cable definately has a few knacks to getting it out and back in.

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Greig is no more expensive than any other mechanic that will work on your car. Garage mechanics will probably be more expensiv actually. His hourly rate isn't bad at all. Better to take it to greig and get it done in my opinion. If it was an oil and fileter change service sure take it to the local, but it is brakes and mini brakes do have there quirks.

Cheers
Aaron

_________________

Many "Mini Mechanics" will have you believe that the Mini is some rare exotic beast and if you havn't worked on them for 30 years you couldn't fix one. This is an absolute load of crap. In my experience after having some lets say, very questionable dealings with a Mini Guy with 40+ years experience you are far better off using a real mechanic who you know and trust for all your work. A real mechanic will be able to work on any vehicle as long as he has a manual and a brain.

I personally will never have any "out of town" work done on a car again. The new guy working on my car lets me drop in and keep an eye on it - he even invites me to help him work on it if I want to. He had never worked on a Mini before my car, and in a short period of time has fixed up many of the "experts" mistakes - still pleanty to go but he is getting through them.

I am sure there are heaps of really good "Mini Mechanics" out there - I just havn't come accross one yet and certainly not one with a clean reputation. It seems they all take great delight in bagging the piss out of each other, and totally contradicting others ideas.... Good luck.

Jacks.

What state you in jack?

Greig's work speaks for himself, and he does own and run the fastest Nb mini in the country. Top guy to boot.

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Well any mechanic can fix a car. whether they look after your
car and treat it with the respect and care that a car with an engine of
50 years heritage it deserves is another thing.

Minis can be fixed by anyone. but they have been on the road for
over 40 years. those that have devoted a whole business to them will
enevitably know how to not only fix things, but fix them the BEST way.

Grieg is a legend. very friendly and helpful. We NEED to keep places like
mini classic alive as he is one of the FEW HONEST< TRUSTWORTHY and REPUTABLE
mini based shops in NSW. so take your car there not only cos he
wiill do the best job possible, but to also support this great business that
we will all need one day at some stage or another

I agree that greig is obviously an honest person,and within small comunities its very hard to get away with shonky buisness without it becomeing obvious(an example seems to be a mini shop on the northern beachs which does not seem to have a good rep)i recently had a new alternater put in,cost me 300,now i dont know if this was a good deal,i was quoted 700 for a new alternater and starter motor(installed) but im a bit broke and was trying to find a way to save money,

why not have a go yourself? those things are not hard to do

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Cant say id reallt know where to start,my mech skills are pritty non existant,id love to have a garage and a second car so i could leave the mini in the garage and muck around with it but i rely on it for everyday use and cant have it out of commision for to long,my plan is to use it (hopefully not kill it)untill i finish studying,earn more cash,buy a sh-t heap,take it off the road,and fix it the way i want it

A new pre-engaged starter with 2yr warranty will set you back ~$165 from MG Heritage. Gemini starter from a wreckers is alot cheaper option..

Alternator not too much..

Grab a workshop manual, ask questions here..it's not rocket science, those two things you could do in a day easy with a little common sense and basic car knowledge.

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

i thought 300 was a bit steap

An alternator is $136 to order and fit a new one...

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

yep.. thats how much it cost me exactly $136
but that was a little less than a year ago...

_________________

*pat pat*

all will be ok

_________________