Hey guys, havnt posted in a while, but basically still looking for a mini, and this one caught my eye, what im after as somewhat changed, basically as lon as it runs n doesnt have gaping rust holes im happy.

happy to work on it as long as its drivable at this stage, and since i plan on saving up for a 1275 or higher, will eventually change gear box to manual, and auto is perfect now as thats all i can legally drive

So does this one look good?

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... &silo=1011

That would be a real good start to a project as a restorer to original.

In my opinion, its not really the type of car I would modify.
If you want to build a car to your own taste I would find one that has already been modified.....they are cheaper and it stops originals like this one being destroyed.

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

I personally think that mini should be left as it is. Theres plenty of modified mins out there already, but original ones they are getting thin on the ground.

Brenton

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Hi Shaanb,

My advice would be to if you are interested in the mini on carsales.com is to give Greig Malaure a call at Mini Classic to give his expert opinion (if he has serviced the mini advertised).

Otherwise my advice would be rather than buying this car converting a geninue mini-matic engine/gearbox car. WAIT when the funds allow I would recommend waiting and saving for the best car available WITH the 1275 and manual trans you plan to install.

Always seek expert advice just my 2c

Good luck

I agree.
Sorry but there just aren't enough original examples kicking around anymore.
Try and pick up something cheaper that's already modified, original matics are just too gorgeous to convert to manual.

If you want to modify it, how about a clubman?
99% of those are already molested, and they are cheaper too?

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You're so square
Baby I don't care

i appreciate and understand everyones personal opinions about mini's but everyone has a different need and plan for a mini.

All in all is 4.8 a good price for the mini?

Not if you want to modify it. You will have to spend thousands to find a good 1275 ($6k rebuilt with gearbox) and disc brakes (which must be fitted by law for a 1275 engine + $1k). Throw in flash seats, stereo, alarm tinted windows, body kit, sunroof if you like and chrome bits and bobs then you are looking at a layout of better than $13k.

You are better off waiting for a car to pop up with the gear already on it and save thousands. They come up often enough as people move on.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

^^ +1



which also means by the time you've saved up, you'll be allowed to drive a manual

4.8 is a good price for an original matic.
But if you want a 1275 manual, a 998 matic is a far cry from that.

Buying a manual and making it a bigger manual isn't a very big modification.
Buying a matic (which is famous for being just that, and automatic mini) and making it manual, is taking all of it's individuality and making it like every other mini.

I urge you to leave the matic alone, and put a bigger manual into an already manual

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You're so square
Baby I don't care

Oh, and matic subframe (chassis ) doesn't suit a standard gearboxes too well. You would need to replace the subframes as well which means more work and extra dollars.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

I have a mini matic that has been converted to manual,
its got spacer blocks fitted to the origional auto sub frame
and a manual pedal box.

eazy to convert back to auto, remove spacer blocks
and clutch pedal from the pedal box,
I also have both 998 & 1275cc auto
engines to go back into the vehicle.

And its for sale if anybody is interested,
with a lot of S stuff so you could have a S matic ,
the same as PVA in Melb has.

PM me if you are interested in the vehicle

Les

Still got that one?
On eBay not long ago?

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Tim