First, could anybody give me some clues to determine if a second hand mini
is worth to be bought ?
Especially what are the weak points to look at ?

Second, I've been told in the past that Mini engines weren't built by BMW
because they were too big to fit under the bonnet.
Japanese or Korean engines were used instead. Don't know if this was true or
not. Anybody knows ?

Thanks in advance

rust is the big problem, check it thoroughly, all the engines where British
designed A series & A+, BMW engines or Japanese engines where never fitted
in real minis as standard although the Honda V tec is quite a popular
conversion, the real, original classic mini should not be confused with
other cars bearing the same name, its like comparing a sheep to a lama, the
only thing in common is the are covered in wool,

Steve.

"thor" <thor (AT) antispam (DOT) com> wrote

They are both front wheel drives, they both have wheels out at the corner,
they were both designed by Austin/Rover/BMC, they are both sanctioned by the
number one racing family in UK = John Cooper Works.

"Steve68s" <steve68s(remove)@btinternet.com> wrote

Yep, true, both have won monte carlo rallies too I guess, both are proven
rally cars & both are 10 foot long, I may be wrong.

Steve.


"OsiTech.Net" <Tech (AT) OsiTech (DOT) Net> wrote

Aint life a bitch, you get the feeling someone has pissed in you cornflakes?
mines 31 years old, I realy wonder how many bmw binis will be on the road in
31 years time................

Steve.


31 years old;

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5201/mini15bb.jpg

no rust at 31:


http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3671/mini27fe.jpg



"Steve68s" <steve68s(remove)@btinternet.com> wrote

When was the last time the MCR was run?

The MINI is winning it's own share of races and earning accolades.

The BINI is also a proven rally winner. We all know that the BINI is not 10
foot but there are other Mini variants that I am sure are shorter/longer
than 10 foot.

I'll measure up my 1967 Austin Mini Moke and report back
http://austinmini.ositech.net


"Steve68s" <steve68s(remove)@btinternet.com> wrote

My current Moke is 38 years old and my MK1 is 44 and both are in Southern
California with no rust. What's your point?

Sorry I am not one for breakfasts so no cereals for me. Give me a hearth
heart clogging Nigerian lunch and I will be okay for the day.

"Steve68s" <steve68s(remove)@btinternet.com> wrote

When a bini makes a reputation like the origional one did I will conced I am
wrong, I am not saying the classic one is a better, although in its time it
was, take 1965 for example with 14 outright rally wins in international
rallys including the Monte Carlo, the new bini cooper was designed as a
marketing ploy to get people to buy it on the laurels of its predecesor, the
origional mini cooper was designed to go motor racing, do you know why the
mini was called mini? quote: "miniture, small of its kind" somthing the size
of a Fiat Punto or Ford Fiesta is not mini what ever you or anyone else
thinks :-) the new car is not bad its just not mini, a more appropriate name
would be Maxi or Allegro, its easier for the untrained eye to see what I
mean if you park a bini next to a mini, they are diffrent sizes.

Steve.


"OsiTech.Net" <Tech (AT) OsiTech (DOT) Net> wrote

OsiTech.Net wrote:
The historic MCR runs every year and has many Minis competing every year.


Please let us know what world class rally a BMW MINI has won ?


We all know that the BINI is not 10
None of them weigh more than 1 ton!

There were cars of the same era that made Minis look like a giant, the
Messerschmitt (sp) and others.

In todays day and age the MINI is still a very small car. Maybe it's a US
thing but the MINI is very small compared to my Ford Expedition SUV, pickup
trucks, etc

But you are right it is easier for the untrained eye to see that the BINI is
bigger than say a Chevy Metro.

It's not important to me to label you as wrong or right, I just will not
stand for vile hatred of BINIS (I don't own one by the way - I own
classics). I am hoping someone is sticking up for our classics when they are
called rusty little burgers.

"Steve68s" <steve68s(remove)@btinternet.com> wrote