Classic Mini Out, Bmw In!

[DaveH]

Hi, I'm Dave. I'm 22 and I'm at Oxford studying for a masters in Engineering with one year to go. My current (and second) car is a classic mini. Great fun to drive and dirt cheap to insure but I've had enough of crossing my fingers every time I turn the key. I currently have a fuel pump electric issue that results in me switching it on manually in the boot before I can drive anywhere! Plus the other day the gearbox died so the engine is ready to come out and I'm looking for a new box to stick in before giving it a nice thorough service throughout and moving on. Plus my parents are always worried I'll crash and my girlfriend thinks I should 'get a proper car', then she won't have to drive us when my car doesn't work!

So current plans are to have a thorough look over the engine and electrics and replace anything that doesn't look too good, fix the fuel pump electric issues and generally do all those little jobs I haven't got around to doing (replacing speedo cable, fuel gauge sender etc etc. When it's ready to sell it'll be the best I've ever had it! And considering I've spent well over £4k it does seem like a shame to get rid now, but I'm very keen to get a BMW and I can't afford to keep both! (Unfortunately)

I'm looking for either an E36 or E46, 318 or 316, coupe, manual, decent mileage, unmodified and in good nick. Not sure what my schedule is as a lot depends on the fixing and subsequent sale of my mini but I'm starting to get impatient already!

[BigAl]

Welcome David, Good luck with the Masters and finding a Beemer, enjoy the forum

[kee1173]

Welcome mate....might be worth selling as is......did this with my V70R, sold it as it was with no MOT or Tax and work need doing , basically ended up getting more profit this way than doing the mot and work and then selling as would have cost more to do, so would have made less.....worth a thought

[DaveH]

Welcome David, Good luck with the Masters and finding a Beemer, enjoy the forum

Cheers

Welcome mate....might be worth selling as is......did this with my V70R, sold it as it was with no MOT or Tax and work need doing , basically ended up getting more profit this way than doing the mot and work and then selling as would have cost more to do, so would have made less.....worth a thought

Without an MOT I won't get much over £1k for the mini, it still could do with a new front end and a respray, but here's a quick list of what I remember doing to it:

-All professionally welded from bulkhead back by mini specialist (cut out and replace, NOT weld over! ~£1k)

-New head gasket (and all other gaskets around)

-Full service (new plugs, leads, oil, filters etc etc)

-New rear subframe and suspension fitted with all new bushes and bolts

-All front bushes replaced along with tracking rods, steering gaiter etc

-New windscreen wipers, washer nozzles etc

-New exhaust from the manifold back to the decat pipe - existing back box is fine

-Almost new tires all round, new studs and wheel nuts where required (perfectionist side shining through!)

Then once I've done the gearbox (it's half out already) there'll be

-New gearbox fitted, clutch replaced if required

-Engine cleaned up, gaskets replaced, pipes and hoses checked and replaced, electrics overhauled

It has MOT and tax until April or May (can't remember off the top of my head) next year already, the advisories I received have all been seen to (blowing exhaust, sub frame corrosion) except scuttle panel bubbled with rust.

There really is so little left to do to make this mint that selling it as spares just doesn't make any sense! I'd like to think I can get around £2k for it once the gearbox is sorted as coopers in mint condition go for £3.5k+, plus it has all the nice extras a late cooper came with - mahogany dash, half leather interior, fuel injection, alarm and immobiliser etc

[Snypa-D]

Welcome to BMWOC :)

good luck with the sell and the buy :)

[DaveH]

Cheers.

[xxXxx]

Welcome to the club, 2 k should get you a nice 3 series

[Charlee]

Oxford or Brookes?

[DaveH]

Welcome to the club, 2 k should get you a nice 3 series

I hope so! Should be enough for a decent low mileage 36 or hopefully a good deal on a 46. Then again, if I bring that budget down a little I might even be able to insure it to!

Oxford or Brookes?

Oxford, Brasenose College.

[Charlee]

Oh okay. My other half is at Brooke's doing Motorsport Technology :)

[bubba310]

welcome to the club m8

[DaveH]

Thanks for all the welcomes. I've finally got my new car :) I decided not to get a coupe in the end, started looking at saloons as they are generally more practical, and they look great. Stretched my budget just a little and found myself a 52 plate saloon in silver with only 64k on the clock. It has the all black cloth interior, most of the toys (cruise, auto climate control, parking sensors, trip computer etc) and it is in very good condition. Slight bubbling on the rear arches but only superficial (I'll get that sorted soon). Completely original, FBMWSH, all new tires, disks and pads, recent inspection 2 with all suggested jobs done. I'll post pictures at some point but I absolutely love it! Drove 200 miles to see it, and 200 miles back after the purchase. I love cruise control! So comfortable, smooth, quiet... And having driven a mini for two years all the things you guys take for granted in your BMWs seem so amazing to me :wub:

[Noob]

Welcome

[DaveH]

Here's a quick picture I took of it today.

[BigAl]

Car looks good, enjoy