Wisdom required

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

J T Pearson Outdoor Training - 07 Apr 2004 09:53 GMT

I've been away from A series-engined cars for a long time (BLMC 1100 & 1300
about 20 years ago) but I'm toying with idea of a Mini. What are the key
points to look for in a used example? Old Minis here in NZ seem to have
escaped the worst ravages of tinworm but I guess subframes still need a
careful check over. What about mechanical problems? Did all Minis suffer
with that idler gear problem in the gearbox that plagued the 1100 &1300s?
Any advice, gratefully received.

Bill

Signature

Jane Pearson & Bill Wheeler
J T Pearson Outdoor Training
12 Mountfort Street
Outram
New Zealand
Tel. 643 486 1363
jtpoutdoor@xtra.co.nz

Reply to this Message

Graham W - 07 Apr 2004 14:49 GMT

> I've been away from A series-engined cars for a long time (BLMC 1100 & 1300
> about 20 years ago) but I'm toying with idea of a Mini. What are the key
> points to look for in a used example? Old Minis here in NZ seem to have
> escaped the worst ravages of tinworm but I guess subframes still need a
> careful check over.

Here in Australia I've seen fatigure cracks in Moke front subframes and
of course bent trailing arms, but I've never seen a rusty subframe.

> What about mechanical problems? Did all Minis suffer
> with that idler gear problem in the gearbox that plagued the 1100 &1300s?

Anything the 1100/1300 suffered, the Mini will have suffered too.
Think of the 1100 as a bigger Mini designed by a team who had already
designed the Mini once and now had a better idea of where they'd made
mistakes.

Reply to this Message

splam - 07 Apr 2004 21:31 GMT

> Anything the 1100/1300 suffered, the Mini will have suffered too.
> Think of the 1100 as a bigger Mini designed by a team who had already
> designed the Mini once and now had a better idea of where they'd made
> mistakes.

Perhaps with the exception of the engine, which underwent more refinements?

Reply to this Message