Mini

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• ENDEARING CHARACTER • RUNNING COSTS • PRACTICAL DRIVERS

WHY BUY?

Produced between 1959 and 2000, be it classic or contemporary, everybody should own a Mini at some point in their motoring lives. They make as much sense for modern motoring as they did back in their heyday.

DRIVING

Mini is as agile and fun today as it ever was, and all feel faster than they really are, meaning that they keep you mostly legal, albeit frenzied on a motorway. The Mini is best across country or in the nip and tuck of urban driving.

WHAT TO PAY

Cooper 970S fetches around £17,000 minimum with a 1275 more. The real surprises are Vans, estates and pick-ups where good ones can make Cooper S money while the once overlooked 1275 GT is now making its presence felt.

GENERAL

Fake Coopers and especially Ss are rife! Seek expert advice if in any doubt. New bodyshells are available from BMH but whether they are economically viable is debatable.

BODY AND CHASSIS

More a case of where not to look as Minis rot everywhere. Chief areas are the subframes, floors, inner and outer sills and the central crossmember. Other areas are the A posts, scuttles, as well as cosmetic parts like doors, etc.

ENGINE

What engine is fitted as it may have been swapped by now? Look for oil burning, leaks, tappet and timing chain noise. Popping on the overrun suggests burnt valves while exhaust manifolds can fracture due to excessive engine rock.

TRANSMISSION

Always noisy, check for wear and jumping out of gear. Automatic is special AP unit and is now hard and expensive to fix. Check for worn driveshafts; a clicking on full lock hints at CV joint wear.

BEST MODEL? Cooper or S
WORST MODEL? Anything bodged
BUDGET BUY? 1990 Coopers
OK FOR UNLEADED? Post 1990 Cooper
SPARES SITUATION? Excellent
DIY EASE? Good but uncomfortable
CLUB SUPPORT? Excellent
APPRECIATING ASSET? Very much so