Wildly off topic: Minis - enlighten me

[Storm]

As my random fad for the moment, I've been carried away on a wave of nostalgia for those nifty little cars known as "Mini's":wari: . My cousin had one back in my school days and as it was a hoot to drive, skid and generally be young idiots in. :2thumbsup
However, it been a while since then, so as I'm thinking of maybe possibly getting one for my daily 50km commute, I'd be keen to hear from those who've had one such pearls of wisdom as :

1) What do they go like? (yes I realise its only a 1000cc/1100cc )
2) Maintenance issues that you only find out about too late?
3) Issues to watch for on particular models?
4) Servicing-how much, how often?
5) Top speeds?
6) Availability of parts?
7) Do you have to slow to 1st gear for any hill higher than 2 inches?
8) Are there any good clubs to meet other likeminded folk?
9) Do they blow ring with a passenger or two/load of tools?
10) Anything else you think I should know :)

Thanks for the help:cool:

[FJRider]

1) standard-ok, tired -less than, with basic engine mods (parts cost,if you can find them)
2) If its still legal they'll show. C.V.joints are always an issue on front wheel drives. Distributor
3) Sport models often thrashed/pranged.
4) usual story, everything costs.
5) Standard about 60-70 MPH (more if its downhill... etc)
6) Car wreckers could be your next best friends. The internet is good. REALLY good
7) Drive it like a 2 stroke. No worries.(its NOT a V8)
8) There always is.
9) See No.7)
10) Tall people and those with bad backs need not apply...Being LOW gives a great sensation of speed. (ever driven a go-cart ???... similar feeling)

I have raced these in standard form AND very modified (Morris 1300 engine) and they CAN go. To get the best out of them, you need to re-learn the art of driving. Watch "Goodbye Pork Pie" if you havent already.

[Bullitt]

1. Theyre not overly fast, theyll keep up with traffic but even the slowest of modern cars will be quicker. A 1275cc motor is a bolt in conversion and makes a big difference. However I wouldnt like to drive a hotted up one on front drums. A decent brake conversion is probably dearer than the motor conversion
2. Nothing specific comes to mind. But remember theyre all old cars now so everything can go wrong if you get a rough one.
3. See 2
4. Just the usual 5k and keeping an eye on everything else as required
5. My hotted up 1293cc was still accelerating at 170. A stock 1275 should be good for 150. Dont buy a mini for top speed.
6. You can buy everything new. And theres enough around you can get most parts second hand too.
7. Not on a 1275, dont know about smaller motors though Id guess a 1000cc one would be ok.
10. I loved mine but the driving position was horrible. With my foot on the brake pedal my knee was hard against the steering wheel. Their handling is brilliant for their age but probably most modern cars would keep up. With more power the biggest limitation to mine was it was undertyred. Thats why I got something with the same mechanicals but a better driving position...I just wish it was as quick as my mini was...

[Ghost_Bullet]

1. Minis or any small car could easi be classed as cool. For me I would class the Japanese, Hondas frist big production car the N360 as the mint one.
<a href="http://rides.webshots.com/album/558595675XjkODw"><img src="http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/55/455/3/83/35/2202383350100338616sOBHXY_th.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Webshots.com"></a><br>by <a href=http://community.webshots.com/user/GhostBullet> GhostBullet</a>

Or then you could go for the n600, one on trademe (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=141685819) right now, but a bit on the expensive side in my opinion.

[yod]

they didn't call 'em a flying brick for nuthin!!

i had a '76 clubman repowered with a morris 1300 and twin SUs - awesome little car

like driving an oversize go-kart - steering is almost 1 to 1

[Indiana_Jones]

why get a mini when A Reliant is so much cooler? lol


<img src="http://www.partaj.cz/imgs/anglicani/reliant_1.jpg">

-Indy

[Dave Lobster]

Minis are the biggest money pit you could possibly buy. Even in the UK, where parts are readily accessible, they're a money pit.
Great fun, on twisty roads. But you'd be as well to buy a normal car, and then throw a few more grand down the drain.

If you've got thousands and thousands of $ to blow.. get one. You wont regret it. But like someone said, you'll need to blow more on:
Disc brakes
Neg camber arms
Decent shocks
Seats with support
An engine that works properly (and sucks petrol accordingly)
All sorts of other things.

The legroom problem shouldn't be a problem. Just remove the back seat, cut off that lip bit, and weld the front seats in further back. Job's a good 'un.
You can get little brackets to lower the steering wheel.

If you can find one, a 205GTi is a much better bet. Faster, handling the same, etc.

[firefighter]

ive got a tiny rover 114 sl, its cheap but i'm seliing it, they seem like a good idea at the start but they are difficult to get in and out of and a general pain in the un-comfortable arse after a month!stick with the good old 1300 corolla thats the way i'm going I think.

[Storm]

Indy- Because that thing is weird and fugly-personal opinion
Everyone else, thanks for your input.
Also, question 11) what should I be paying for a decent one?

[FROSTY]

One thing noone has mentioned here is rust.
Ya need to check the lil beasties out thoughroughly sp

[dino3310]

great little car but watch out for those SUVs.
we just bought a little honda for comuting its fuckin awesome on gas but scary at times cause ya so small on the road.

[fridayflash]

;)nostalgia is one thing and reality another lol, buy a suzuki swift or sumthing

[vifferman]

If you can find one, a 205GTi is a much better bet. Faster, handling the same, etc.
Indeed.
We've got one, and having driven many minis, I'd say there's no comparison. A standard, non-Jap version, 1.9 GTi is 135 hp, weighs about 860kg, has a top speed of over 220km/h, has comfy seats, disc brakes all round, wider tyres (195 x 50), etc etc blah blah blah. It's one of the most fun cars I've driven, but not very relaxing: imagine driving a go-kart on steroids around the street, with it constantly nagging, "Go faster, you pussy!"
Then there's the exciting built-in features like dramatic oversteer on lift-off: you go barreling into a corner a bit hot, back off the throttle, and the back comes out.

[Storm]

Minis are the biggest money pit you could possibly buy.
If you've got thousands and thousands of $ to blow.. get one.
All sorts of other things.


So they're just like motorbikes then? :sunny:


Vifferman- what sort of cost am I looking at for a GTI? Bearing in mind I am doing the single income supporting a family gig at the moment, and thusly, am not cashed up.
Also, its minis that I'm keen on just now, dont confuse me with other options

[TLDV8]

As my random fad for the moment, I've been carried away on a wave of nostalgia for those nifty little cars known as "Mini's":wari: . My cousin had one back in my school days and as it was a hoot to drive, skid and generally be young idiots in. :2thumbsup
However, it been a while since then, so as I'm thinking of maybe possibly getting one for my daily 50km commute, I'd be keen to hear from those who've had one such pearls of wisdom as :

1) What do they go like? (yes I realise its only a 1000cc/1100cc )

My first car (in 1976) was a Cooper. :cool: and had a Clubman in 1981.

I still remember in the late 1970's or early 80's (old age :laugh:) seeing a 1310cc (i think) Mini with a cross flow head (Croxley or something like that with twin side draft Weber's sticking out of the front of the bonnet) making a V8 Holden ute look very average (on the Puke club circuit,until the ute lost it coming around the stables corner and hit what looked like a mint Austin Cambridge parked in the middle of the grass area)

In their time they were a great car performance wise and did well worldwide including Bathurst/Australia as giant killers with their cornering ability.


Some specs here.

Not forgetting the Mini is close to 60 years old being first released in the late 1950's.
Hotting then up is little different to modern cars,if you remove the cylinder head and intake off a modern car short blocks have changed little. ??


http://drcwww.uvt.nl/~bogaard/compare2.htm

<img src=http://minichallenge.minimania.com/entries/entrypix/MilnesT.jpg>

<img src= http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/manurewa/PeterMantonTedBrewsterMiniCooperSSa.jpg>

[TLDV8]

As my random fad for the moment, I've been carried away on a wave of nostalgia for those nifty little cars known as "Mini's":wari: . My cousin had one back in my school days and as it was a hoot to drive, skid and generally be young idiots in. :2thumbsup
However, it been a while since then, so as I'm thinking of maybe possibly getting one for my daily 50km commute, I'd be keen to hear from those who've had one such pearls of wisdom as :

1) What do they go like? (yes I realise its only a 1000cc/1100cc )

My first car (in 1976) was a Cooper. :cool: and had a Clubman in 1981.

I still remember in the late 1970's or early 80's (old age :laugh:) seeing a 1310cc (i think) Mini with a cross flow head (Croxley or something like that with twin side draft Weber's sticking out of the front of the bonnet) making a V8 Holden ute look very average (on the Puke club circuit,until the ute lost it coming around the stables corner and hit what looked like a mint Austin Cambridge parked in the middle of the grass area)

In their time they were a great car performance wise and did well worldwide including Bathurst/Australia as giant killers with their cornering ability.


Some specs here.

Not forgetting the Mini is close to 50 years old being first released in the late 1950's.
Hotting then up is little different to modern cars,if you remove the cylinder head and intake off a modern car short blocks have changed little. ??


http://drcwww.uvt.nl/~bogaard/compare2.htm

<img src=http://minichallenge.minimania.com/entries/entrypix/MilnesT.jpg>

<img src= http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/manurewa/PeterMantonTedBrewsterMiniCooperSSa.jpg>

Notice the wheel camber and body roll (or lack of) on the Mini then think about a Falcon/Mustang etc from the era and how much spring and sway bar they need to try and stop the inside wheel tipping and loosing traction.

[inlinefour]

As my random fad for the moment, I've been carried away on a wave of nostalgia for those nifty little cars known as "Mini's":wari: . My cousin had one back in my school days and as it was a hoot to drive, skid and generally be young idiots in. :2thumbsup
However, it been a while since then, so as I'm thinking of maybe possibly getting one for my daily 50km commute, I'd be keen to hear from those who've had one such pearls of wisdom as :

1) What do they go like? (yes I realise its only a 1000cc/1100cc )
2) Maintenance issues that you only find out about too late?
3) Issues to watch for on particular models?
4) Servicing-how much, how often?
5) Top speeds?
6) Availability of parts?
7) Do you have to slow to 1st gear for any hill higher than 2 inches?
8) Are there any good clubs to meet other likeminded folk?
9) Do they blow ring with a passenger or two/load of tools?
10) Anything else you think I should know :)

Thanks for the help:cool:

Friend of mine growing up had 2. One was an old legal shitter and the other was fully worked from top to bottom. The shitter we used to use and abuse, was cool to do reverse donuts in. That was until I got a 1.6L misti mirage and it made the mini look like a POS. The hotted up one was based on the original race motor (I think called Van Demon???) and was supposed to be able to do 140 mpr and I was told it was tested up to 120 mph and not pushed further. Was a damn sight faster than a standard mini, but my friend put so much money into it. I lost all interest in it when I went for a drive in another friend's standard mitsi mirage turbo. Although when it came time to choose a car to restore I ended up with the cordia gsr turbo, which went a shitload faster. Basically my theory is that minis are cool, but with cars like the standard misti turbos, you'd have to be wasted to bother with one.:innocent: The standard mirage run on fumes compared to a mini and if you could stop the foot going down hard and blasting the turbo (the novelty did run out) the cordia was cheap to run too. Although if you look at what I drive now and figure out what it is, you'll laugh and realise that things have not changed much. :nya:

[moT]

They made great rally cars back in the day they won international evvents

[scracha]

9) Do they blow ring with a passenger or two/load of tools?

Well I "passengered" in one for just over a year and my ring never got blown . ......:spanking:

[Jorja]

These are a modern car that look like the old style mini a bit. Have a picture here for you to look at. If you are looking at one purely for the look it is an alternative.
1000cc with air bags and abs brakes.

[Storm]

Well I "passengered" in one for just over a year and my ring never got blown . ......:spanking:

I was refering to the car engine, not your arse end!!:sick:

[Dave Lobster]

Oh, and subframes. When they're rotten, it's a day's job to change it. When you do, you'll find all sorts of other things wrong too. If it's done wrong, the car will crab. Amusing for everyone else to see.. :)

However, when a mini is running properly, they're fecking wicked.

As someone else has said.. other, more modern cars are far less effort. Easier to drive (you don't need to be 'on one' all the time), comfier, etc.

[aroberts]

1. Minis or any small car could easi be classed as cool. For me I would class the Japanese, Hondas frist big production car the N360 as the mint one.

Or then you could go for the n600, one on trademe (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=141685819) right now, but a bit on the expensive side in my opinion.

I had one of those (N360) in the 80's. Heck $7.5k. I sold mine for $300. Wasn't mint but it was tidy and running well. Maybe I should have kept it.<_<

[Ocean1]

Good fun if you're a bit handy, you'll struggle to find a good one now so if you want to do it right be prepared to completely strip one and rebuild it from the ground up.

Had a few over the years and done right they can fookin' fly. Always wanted to build me one of these: http://www.mibv.com/Mini/Misc/TwiniMini/TwiniminiP1.jpg

[JATZ]

Ahh, mini's, had one of the 850cc models back when I was a youngster, racing red, sliding windows and a button on the floor to start it. Slow as a wet week but bloody good fun, went surprisingly good of road too.
Would love to own one again, but it wouldn't be an everyday driver.
Cool, definitly cool

[Storm]

Cheers for the info, keep it coming

[Mikkel]

The original Mini is an awesome icon. Pretty much the original modern car :yes:


why get a mini when A Reliant is so much cooler? lol

And the Reliant Robin is/were one of the fastest cars on/off the planet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb8t40iXtZw

[avgas]

Awesome little vehicles that you can mod the crap out of.
Old man had one when i was a baby. I wish he kept it.
1275 with a bore kit (dunno what to)
extremely mild cams (only went smooth above 3K), 1600rpm idle.
moved firewall to accommodate massive dual SU? carbs
6" wide fronts and 8" wide rears standard 'widened' rims.
Dual cobys out the back.
Fancy cassette deck with splits in the doors and big speakers in the back.
Chopped rubber cones? or something to do with suspension.
It was the only thing to shut up a screaming baby.
He had far to many of those 'modify your mini' books.
Engine got rebuilt twice when it blew up the 3rd time they bought the Ford Thames.

[Bullitt]

extremely mild cams (only went smooth above 3K), 1600rpm idle.

Dont think extremely mild is quite the phrase you were after:bleh:



moved firewall to accommodate massive dual SU? carbs

You dont need to modify the firewall to fit any SU's. Potentially you may do depending on what airfilters you ran on them but itd be easier to fit a different filter.
Do have to modify if for Dellortos/Webbers etc

[Dave Lobster]

You dont need to modify the firewall to fit any SU's.


Yeah, you do, if you have a turbo on it.. :)

[Ocean1]

You dont need to modify the firewall to fit any SU's.

You do if you want a decent manifold. Also if you use a pair of RH 1 1/4" SUs instead of the usual (but hard to get) LH/RH pair because the RH bowl hits the brake master cyl.

[Skunk]

I've had a few Minis in my time (11 I think). Raced some, hacked some.

Best was the Mini Van.

Things to look for:
Rust in the front footwells
Rust in the side sills
Rust in the boot
Rust at the front edge of the rear subframe on the body.

Handling is easy to improve. I had fully adjustable suspension in many of mine. Ride height was lowered and camber, castor, and toe could be changed.

A late model Clubman 1275 has discs as standard and these can be retro-fitted to any model Mini as long as you have the wheels.

A friend has a turbocharged 1410cc with lots of after market parts on it. A few years ago it was voted best in NZ and featured in a UK Mini mag.

England is VERY big on parts.

Still the most fun car I've ever driven.

Bigger thrills came from my six pack Charger race car. But not sheer fun.

[Mooch]

As my random fad for the moment, I've been carried away on a wave of nostalgia for those nifty little cars known as "Mini's":wari: . My cousin had one back in my school days and as it was a hoot to drive, skid and generally be young idiots in. :2thumbsup
However, it been a while since then, so as I'm thinking of maybe possibly getting one for my daily 50km commute, I'd be keen to hear from those who've had one such pearls of wisdom as :

1) What do they go like? (yes I realise its only a 1000cc/1100cc )
2) Maintenance issues that you only find out about too late?
3) Issues to watch for on particular models?
4) Servicing-how much, how often?
5) Top speeds?
6) Availability of parts?
7) Do you have to slow to 1st gear for any hill higher than 2 inches?
8) Are there any good clubs to meet other likeminded folk?
9) Do they blow ring with a passenger or two/load of tools?
10) Anything else you think I should know :)


Thanks for the help:cool:

Used to do a similar commute in a 1000cc standard mini. I'll base this on our old Mk3 (1971)
1, Gutless in standard form , but respond nicely to mods.
2, Valve grinds after about 30,000 km comon, rust can be a serious issue, gearbox syncro's aren't too strong, electrics don't like getting wet.
3, Rust on all models , CV's depending on models , head cracking on 1960's models,electrics don't like getting wet, plastic bag on distributor works well.
4, Far more than modern cars , normally basic things like plugs and points and fresh oil.
5, Saw 125 kmh going down hill once.
6, Parts still good except for rare stuff like Mini Coopers.
7,You might be able to maintian 75 kmh on a steep hill max
8, Some of the crazyiest and obsesed people you'd meet out side of motorcycling. Very social !
9, Called Dial a driver once , had 4 in the mini going up Nauranga gorge at 60 kmh , got a bit hot ....
10, You'll need to by a grease gun as there are about at least 10 points on the car that require grease every 20,000km.... The other issue is mini obsession. They can be made to go around corners like you wouldn't believe, they just need a decent amount of power.



Minis are the biggest money pit you could possibly buy. Even in the UK, where parts are readily accessible, they're a money pit.
Great fun, on twisty roads. But you'd be as well to buy a normal car, and then throw a few more grand down the drain.

If you've got thousands and thousands of $ to blow.. get one. You wont regret it. But like someone said, you'll need to blow more on:
Disc brakes
Neg camber arms
Decent shocks
Seats with support
An engine that works properly (and sucks petrol accordingly)
All sorts of other things.

The legroom problem shouldn't be a problem. Just remove the back seat, cut off that lip bit, and weld the front seats in further back. Job's a good 'un.
You can get little brackets to lower the steering wheel.

If you can find one, a 205GTi is a much better bet. Faster, handling the same, etc.

Disc brakes ($2500)
Neg camber arms ($120)
Adjustable ride height , hilos ($250)
Decent shocks ($700 up)
Seats with support (second hand 911 heated sets work well $700)
An engine that works properly (and sucks petrol accordingly) (the money pit , entry about $3000)
Cooling ($600)
Gearbox straightcut CR ($2800)
LSD ($1800)
Rollcage ($1000)
Chrome stuff ($1000)






Indeed.
We've got one, and having driven many minis, I'd say there's no comparison. A standard, non-Jap version, 1.9 GTi is 135 hp, weighs about 860kg, has a top speed of over 220km/h, has comfy seats, disc brakes all round, wider tyres (195 x 50), etc etc blah blah blah. It's one of the most fun cars I've driven, but not very relaxing: imagine driving a go-kart on steroids around the street, with it constantly nagging, "Go faster, you pussy!"
Then there's the exciting built-in features like dramatic oversteer on lift-off: you go barreling into a corner a bit hot, back off the throttle, and the back comes out.

Try a 1330 turbo mini 15 pounds boost with 137 bhp around 550kg with Hilo's and yoko 048's.... what was that about a 205 ?


Yeah, you do, if you have a turbo on it.. :)

Only if you stay with a T3 Turbo , with a T2 or smaller IHI's it all fits without the need for a gas axe :devil2: , not a lot of room left under the bonnet once intercooler / intake / oil cooler fitted

Best stay clear of Mini's , I have a couple of them , The Ducati is working out cheaper to run ....... Nobody tell my wife please :whistle:

[Bullitt]

You do if you want a decent manifold. Also if you use a pair of RH 1 1/4" SUs instead of the usual (but hard to get) LH/RH pair because the RH bowl hits the brake master cyl.
Had forgotten the FWD twin SU manifolds sit the carbs at a steeper angle than ones like on my Midget.

Id never bother with a manifold that didnt fit the car though. Cant imagine it makes that much difference in terms of power and if you were after outright power youd likely dump the SUs anyway.

[Dave Lobster]

Best stay clear of Mini's , I have a couple of them , The Ducati is working out cheaper to run ....... Nobody tell my wife please :whistle:

A fecking aeroplane is cheaper to run.. :eek:

[Storm]

A fecking aeroplane is cheaper to run.. :eek:

But is it more fun though? That is the question

[LilSel]

I :love: my mini!!! she is the best!!... still in the process of restoring her, been a few years... but will be the sweetest mini once im done :niceone: sometimes I sit in her n make vrrrrooom vroom noises hehe :stupid:
Cant wait to get her finished....
if you cant tell... she is a girl car my mini is :)

[Dave Lobster]

But is it more fun though? That is the question

Oh, I agree. Most fun car I've ever had (ish..). But worth the money/time/trouble? Noooo...

[Storm]

So out of 10 cars I might look at, how many do you learned chaps reckon would be rust-troubled?

[Forest]

So out of 10 cars I might look at, how many do you learned chaps reckon would be rust-troubled?

All of them would have some rust (it is a fact of life with old cars).

However provided it hasn't taken hold then rust is an easily treatable condition.

[vifferman]

Try a 1330 turbo mini 15 pounds boost with 137 bhp around 550kg with Hilo's and yoko 048's.... what was that about a 205 ?
Try a 205 with a 2-litre turboed 16-valve Citroen or Peugeot engine (pretty much drop straight in).
Or if you're going to get all exotic, the mid-engined rally version of the 205. :rolleyes:

[Dave Lobster]

Try a 1330 turbo mini 15 pounds boost with 137 bhp around 550kg with Hilo's and yoko 048's.... what was that about a 205 ?

See which one lasts longest ;)

[Biggles2000]

My old mini was the best car I have ever owned. It taught me heaps about driving and fixing cars. Its the reason why I still have a garage full of english cars. Old minis are super cool.

[Mooch]

See which one lasts longest ;)

You probably right .... Although mine is 45 years old and the motor is 39 years , Come to think of it, it's also been racing on and off for 32 years ..... Seems to be lasting quite well


Try a 205 with a 2-litre turboed 16-valve Citroen or Peugeot engine (pretty much drop straight in).
Or if you're going to get all exotic, the mid-engined rally version of the 205. :rolleyes:

Whooow , where did all these Peugeot enthuseist come from :crazy: must be " Mini" envy :eek5: ... I'd give it try against one of those repowers on a twisty road or hillclimb , do you have one ? Striaght line would be a different.

Talking about exotic mid engined or twin engine mini's(sort of ) , someone's built one with a couple of vtec turbo'd motors and 1100 hp... Not really a mini though.... Mind you , a rear wheel drive GSXR1300 power one would be fun........ Could be the second project.



So out of 10 cars I might look at, how many do you learned chaps reckon would be rust-troubled?

Seems to be a lot of minis getting full rebuilds / full nut / bolt restores at the moment. Try and find one that's been already done (and far cheaper than doing one yourself)

[scumdog]

Disc brakes ($2500)
Neg camber arms ($120)
Adjustable ride height , hilos ($250)
Decent shocks ($700 up)
Seats with support (second hand 911 heated sets work well $700)
An engine that works properly (and sucks petrol accordingly) (the money pit , entry about $3000)
Cooling ($600)
Gearbox straightcut CR ($2800)
LSD ($1800)
Rollcage ($1000)
Chrome stuff ($1000)

:

And I thought hotting up an Anglia was expensive!:eek:

[Mooch]

Anglia ! these are getting vary rare , with the prices of certian model old Fords hitting the roof would it not be better to restore as orginal ? Mind you, these look great with wide steel wheels and racing strips. Are you building it for street or pre 65's racing ?

[scumdog]

Anglia ! these are getting vary rare , with the prices of certian model old Fords hitting the roof would it not be better to restore as orginal ? Mind you, these look great with wide steel wheels and racing strips. Are you building it for street or pre 65's racing ?

Yup one on TardMe was up to $22,000 about three days ago - original-as and about 20,000 miles.

Mine? Sold the race one, hot pre-Xflow with twin Webers etc, B.R.G., four spoke Hustler mags, steel flares etc.

Doing up one for a daily runner, Escort Sports 1600 engine, 5-speed Sierra 'box, lowered, disc front end, Sentra seats etc etc. :2thumbsup

USE to be able to drive it to Ch-ch for $26 of fuel, doubt it will be THAT cheap now:weep:

[Dave Lobster]

Anglia ! these are getting vary rare , with the prices of certian model old Fords hitting the roof would it not be better to restore as orginal?

Sounds like motivation to modify it and paint matt black to me! :innocent: