Hey guys, new to the forums.

I am in the processes of finding out whether I can have a MINI shipped here to the US from the UK. My dad and I will be calling around to the Department of Transportation and other agencies this week when I can find some time to go home from school.

I was hoping some of you guys could help me out on what to look for in a classic MINI.

I am on a small budget, about $4000, and am thinking of a 1990-1999 MINI since they are fuel injected (correct me if I am wrong). I want the slightly more powerful 1275cc engine (standard option I believe) with a manual tranny. There are a lot of different classic MINI's that I have seen like Rover, Austin, Morris, etc.. and then there are the Sportpacks, Equinox, Mayfair, Coopers, etc...

So what am I to make of all of these? Which is better or has which options?

My use for this car will be a daily driver. I go to UNT, just north of Dallas, so my commutes are normally no more than 20 or so miles around the dallas area. I have a Cobra that can get me to longer distances if needed (I know classic MINI's aren't quite the best option for high mile commutes) but I don't want to rule out the occasional 45mile drive to my parents house in the MINI.

Anyways, if you guys could help me out at all, I would appreciate it. On matters of importing, what to look for in a MINI since I will be buying internationally and cannot see the car in person, or any other advice you guys may have to help a new guy.

thanks in advance!

 

Well to legally import one into the US it'll need to be 25+ years old. There are plenty of newer ones that have been revin'd to an older date to "meet" that requirement. You normally see those advertised as XX/YY or "upgraded to YY specs". Do a search for "revin" and you'll more opinions than you bargined for. With only a 4K budget I'd check out what's available locally as shipping and brokerage fees would likely take a big chunk of that and someone's already taken care of the shipping, customs, and initial registration hassles....

 

try the sticky at the top of this section . . .

 

1. A calssic Mini will make a bad daily driver for a student unless you don't mind missing class on a regular basis.

2. You can't import a car less than 25 yrs old legally. Re-vins are a different issue but there is no way you will get one for $4000.00. Expect at least $2000.00 for shipping, taxes, port fees, duty and broker fee (you will need a broker unless you've done it a few times before).

3. So importing a 1990-1999 is out. That leaves you with finding one stateside. If you only have 4000.00 and don't have LOTS of spare time and a well equiped garage and a decent budget for parts, welding, more parts, etc you can't afford a Classic Mini. $8000-$10,000 is a more realistic budget for anything more than a project car or rust bucket.

 

That is the exact information I was looking for. Thanks for the info! I was unsure if the newer MINI's would pass the regulations we have here in the states but I guess I would have to find one older then 25 years. I was also unsure of the costs of having one imported, 2k dollars doesn't leave me much to get a MINI haha.

Well, I will see what I can do, it looks like if anything, Ill have to find one here in the US. Thank you for the info!

 

1. Whether it is an Austin, a Leyland or a Rover has more to do with when the car was built then anything else as the company changed its name over time... Ditto as to whether you'd be looking at a carb, an SPI or an MPI ... the fuel system changed with model years. Which system you get is primarily driven by the year you buy.

2. IMHO $4000 is an unrealistic purchase price for anything other than a major project car. Here's an example of an $8000 re-vin and I'd suggest you take a good look at the body altho the pictures of the interior aren't bad and if you read the posts the engine has been worked over by a guy who is pretty reputable
http://www.sunshineminis.org/forums/...p?f=85&t=22309
also look at
http://turkys.com/mini.html
for comparative prices
and
http://www.minimania.com/ClassDealers.cfm
for perhaps the most complete listing of Minis for sale in the US

look at Borders or B&N for MiniWorld
http://www.miniworld.co.uk/
for good UK classifieds

3. Concur that any Mini needs a good set of tools, in a garage and more than basic skills as well as spare bucks for a regular stream of parts; and a backup vehicle for while you WAIT for those parts. I especially find body work skills including welding and painting to be particularly helpful. A major advantage of the older carb' engines is the lack of computers controlling any of the injection systems as found in later (re-vin) cars. You certainly will find folks who use their Mini as a daily driver but they are in the minority and brought their car to that level. Buying one at that level today will cost the same as a MINI .. or more

4. "1963 Mini upgraded to 1999 specs" equals a 1999 re-vin as a 1963. (VIN pulled from a 63 wreck and put on a 99) IF this vehicle is in the US and has a valid state registration you are 99% safe (CA can still have issues for certain emissions issues). IF this is a vehicle you plan to import, and IF Customs catches the switcherooo then you loose the car and probably your money from the seller - not my fault dude, you tried to import it, not me. Given the number of re-vin available in the US it is obvious many make it thru. Let's face it, looking for an illegal $100,000 Ferrari import is more fun then looking for a $9000 Mini. BUT don't be lulled into thinking that they all make it. I HAVE seen seized Minis at US Government auctions of seized properties. They are sold there for immediate export or parting out. They are federally listed as un-titleable.

5. My car came from the UK "sight unseen" so this can be done. The shipping cost was closer to $1000 but that was a few years ago, but even after shipping the car was a good deal (or so I still like to believe). These are on the PLUS side for you. However, until you understand the model years and type variations you are shopping very very blind. For example, if I offered you a very cherry 1979 twin Weber carb Cooper S (at any price) ... what would be wrong with this offer?

 

I dont see how this car can be only 8 K or best offer!! Considering it is a newer (safer with airbag and side impact reinforced doors, alrarm, etc) model with cherry interior, a ton of upgraded cosmetic bits, upgraded wheels and tires, upgraded brakes, and a total rebuild including pistons, rings cylinders, crankshaft polished, new rod bearings, new lifters, new timing chain & tensioner, and on top of that a rebuild on teh transmission. Something doesn't make sense. The only explanation has to be the car has significant rust issues, but if that's the case it seems weird they would spend the money on the engine and transmission. Even if there is body work to be done this looks like a GREAT deal and I am completely surprised it hasn't sold yet.

I'll tell you one thing, it sure as hell tells me I paid way to much for my car if this is what you can get for less than 8000.00 these days .

 

And Capt BJ is correct about CA requiring emissions on some Mini's but not if the car has a 1975 or older vin so the "1963" above would have no problem.

 

i agree, looking for a Mini IN THE UK, you might have better luck with getting closer to your price range, even after shipping. everyone wants a ton of cash for their Mini if they are selling it because of all the work that they have inevitably done to it. hate to put it like this but a 1985 Mini in the UK is alot like a 1985 honda civic here. its much more common and is probably gonna need some work but it might run but you will need to replace parts, do body work, etc.

check out ebay.co.uk and ask sellers if they would be willing to have it brought to a port to be shipped to the states. some might be willing to do this.

get ahold of these guys: http://www.ajsminis.co.uk/
ask for sean. I almost have bought two minis from him and hes a very straight forward guy. If you are willing to chance it with a re-vin, he is willing to make the arrangments for you. As said above, this is a risk you take and although I'd like to buy a 99 Mini from the UK for what I'd pay for a early 80's 998cc Mini, I wasn't willing to take the chance of having the car seized and all my money down the drain.

Good luck!

 

Wanna know how....

I lived in North Bay San Fran for a time recently.... Novato actually. Our gas, our milk and anything else we wanted or needed cost a good bit more than anywhere else we'd lived as a military family traveling around as we did.

Around here..FL, this offer - in today's economy - doesn't cut it. But perhaps Bobby will thank me for this post should you decide to cross the country and buy this investment property....

Did you pay too much for your car?

rust issues: Yes, look at the pictures....door bottoms are gone and more

 

Good point, but if you can really buy that 1999 above with all the sweet cosmetics, wheels/brakes, etc and a brand new rebuild on the engine and trans for 8K why look over seas or take the chance of having a re-vin seized at the port? Damn, I still can't get over that car

 

It all depends I suppose. I paid $5600.00, but shipping, duty, port fees, transportation to the port, storage, broker fee, etc cost me another 2400 so I have exactly 8K invested. On the other hand the interior and exterior are in excellent condition with no visible rust at all. But it needs tires (they look like the originals, treads okay but cracked on side wall and splitting radial tread) and the transmission grinds bad in second gear. It doesn't run real strong but I have nothing to compare it to since it is the only classic mini I have ever driven. It does have AC which is a big plus to me. Basically it looks like I am going to need to invest significant money into it to get it how I want it so I probably could have done better but I'm still pretty happy with it

 

Which to me has validated a cost point

When asked, what should a Mini cost

Drive-able .... when you hand over the $ ... $8000

is MY gauge (this post is April 2010)

 

great info, I definitely have a lot to learn I can tell. It seems like my best option is to going to be save up some more money and buy locally. I don't want to take the chance of trying to get a revin imported to the US.

I have all the necessary tools and skills to work on a Mini, I am pretty confident in that. I rebuilt my Cobras engine with all new forged internals, rings, bearings, etc and having to time the four cams, not the funnest work lol. I dont have much experience in welding or paint and body though, so that could be a problem. But the information you gave me seems very spot on to questions I had so I will keep this all in mind when looking for a Mini. I am trying to learn all the year models, engines, specs, etc..

as for your question Capt BJ, i do not see the problem lol. Guess i have more learning to do!

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it. My dad is helping me search for Mini's so I will keep you updated with any more questions I have or some guidance if I "think" i have found a nice Mini.

 

bottom line:

What is a used car worth?

Exactly what you can get someone to buy it for .... and not a penny more.

 

as for your question Capt BJ, i do not see the problem lol.

if I offered you a very cherry 1979 twin Weber carb Cooper S (at any price)

Cooper Model (and S) 10 years from 1961 to 1971 {until the Rover decal model in the 90's}

Mini (all flavors)i used SU carbs .... Weber would be a modified engine

 

How serious are you about this car? I am considering parting with my '85 Mayfair that has a 1275 motor and 1330cc head. It is a RHD and currently sports Corbeau seats. Shipping is going to be an issue though, but I can get the car shipped directly from here in Stuttgart Germany where the car is. I bought it last may off ebay.co.uk and drove it back 600 miles. Other than a no-surprises oil leak the car isn't too bad. It has passed inspection, but I wouldn't qualify it as a show car. LMK if you want to know more. I've picked up a MiniTec kit to install my B18C5 motor and think I might want to put it into a pre-85 RHD that needs a motor to save me from pulling a motor and finding a buyer, and then later converting to 7.5" brakes. My car has the "big" 8.4" brakes so it stops great.

 

I am very serious about wanting a classic mini. I haven't stopped looking at them for the past month or so. I posted my supercharger that is just sitting on my parents garage shelf waiting to go on up for sale. I think a 470hp cobra sounds like a lot of fun, but I am soo sold on getting a classic mini, that I want to sell it.

I should get about 3000 for the supercharger, hopefully and then I just need to save however much more I want to purchase one.

PM sent!

 

your ownership skills will be tested...minis will drive all the way to the next breakdown...you have to stay on top of the car maintenence wise all the time...everything can be fine then the car decides its a good day to blow up a water pump and overheat the engine or maybe blow out a valve seal or 2...we arent trying to scare ya off but keep in mind these arent spring chickens....many of the minis you see probably got the snot beat out of them while they were in the uk....brits arent known for taking especially good care of cars and a mini to the majority of brits are just commuter cars...what a civic to us a mini is to them so just keep in mind that looks are only paint deep...you could have a real basket case on your hands when u finally get it

 

FWIW, Arizona also has emissions test requirements for all vehicles 1967+, meaning if you buy a 1967 or newer Mini it will have to be treadmill tested every year for emissions purposes. There are, however, exemptions for historic car insurance. I have special insurance for my 1973 which exempts me from having to take my Mini through emissions testing.

Jeff

 

im not totally worried about getting a Mini to pass inspection or emissions.

thank you for all the great info so far though.

 

being in texas, i wouldnt be worried about that. id be worried about keeping it road worthy.