Wildly off topic: Minis - enlighten me

[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" . My cousin had one back in my school days and as it was a hoot to drive, skid and generally be young idiots in.
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

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 , 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

[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

A fecking aeroplane is cheaper to run..

[Storm]

A fecking aeroplane is cheaper to run..

But is it more fun though? That is the question

[LilSel]

I 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 sometimes I sit in her n make vrrrrooom vroom noises hehe
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.

[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.

Whooow , where did all these Peugeot enthuseist come from must be " Mini" envy ... 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!