New guy info

[dev_d7]

Hi,

I'm new to this (although I have the benefit of an Engineer father who owned many mini's back in the day).

I'd like to get a reasonable expectation of what it will cost me to buy and restore a mini 1275 (even better if I can find a GTS).
I'm assuming I can buy for around 30k... but parts are a big ? and normal labour would be free as I'd work on it with my dad.
Is it realistic to expect a decent build and refurb for under 100k?

I'm not looking for any Huyabusa engines or crazy conversions (other than a disc brake conversion), and would be happy to use reasonable replacement parts where genuine parts are too hard to find or too expensive. That being said I'd like to keep it mostly original.

Would love to hear from those of you who've actually done it.

[Boyscout]

Hi,

I'm new to this (although I have the benefit of an Engineer father who owned many mini's back in the day).

I'd like to get a reasonable expectation of what it will cost me to buy and restore a mini 1275 (even better if I can find a GTS).
I'm assuming I can buy for around 30k... but parts are a big ? and normal labour would be free as I'd work on it with my dad.
Is it realistic to expect a decent build and refurb for under 100k?

I'm not looking for any Huyabusa engines or crazy conversions (other than a disc brake conversion), and would be happy to use reasonable replacement parts where genuine parts are too hard to find or too expensive. That being said I'd like to keep it mostly original.

Would love to hear from those of you who've actually done it.

You should be able to get it done.  I'm very close to R100k, complete overhaul, new spares, engineering, new wheels, brakes, bearings, paint , interior alles.

[u09521]

Welcome!
Your budget seems realistic. So many people underestimate the costs and effort required. Important would be to find a car which is complete, and as little as possible rust. Most things can be refurbished quite easily, but to replace items e.g. like window sill trim gets expensive quickly (anything which needs input in pounds) and replacing body panels like side sills gets tricky.

Attached is a comprehensive list of what I spent. The car was almost free, and the motor had already been overhauled even though I took it apart again. Since then more has been spent, but only improving things here and there.
Can't upload spreadsheets so you lose the filtering convenience...

Good luck!

[dev_d7]

Great - thanks for the info guys.

Hoping to find something fairly soon and also hoping I will be able to get it to a point I can drive it regularly.

[Giancarl03]

Welcome!
Your budget seems realistic. So many people underestimate the costs and effort required. Important would be to find a car which is complete, and as little as possible rust. Most things can be refurbished quite easily, but to replace items e.g. like window sill trim gets expensive quickly (anything which needs input in pounds) and replacing body panels like side sills gets tricky.

Attached is a comprehensive list of what I spent. The car was almost free, and the motor had already been overhauled even though I took it apart again. Since then more has been spent, but only improving things here and there.
Can't upload spreadsheets so you lose the filtering convenience...

Good luck!

What an excellent response!