1978 Rover - Austin Mini Clubman 1.1 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Love/Hate relationship
Faults:
Oil line split and painted the engine compartment black.
Three front wheel punctures.
Steering column broke on a mini-roundabout.
Passenger floor and foot-well rusted through. You could see the road through the hole in the carpet.
Alternator broke.
I gave up replacing the head gasket, it broke so often.
Battery box rusted away - had to build a new one out of fiberglass.
The brakes were abysmal when newly replaced, but kept on working even when there was no lining left on the pads at all.
General Comments:
This car was a lot of fun to drive, but completely unpredictable, even in the dry.
It had the wide 16cm alloys, which did mean it took longer to reach the break-away point. However once the car started to slide, it went very violently.
The engine was wonderful. The power after my previous Citroen was fun. However I had to stop replacing the head gasket (it was getting to the stage of me doing it every 3 months) and simply glue it shut and tighten the bolts.
Until I permanently fixed the head gasket problem, I was replacing over a liter of oil a month... no need for oil changes when you own a mini.
The brakes were interesting. Basically, you had to push the pedal and wait for something to happen, which often took a second or two. Emergency braking required first gear and the handbrake.
The club-man just looks so much better than the normal mini shape. Also the black and white checked roof is much more unusual and stylish than the white bonnet stripes on a cooper!
I wouldn't touch another mini. I wouldn't recommend buying one to anyone I cared about, because they are dangerous as anything on the road. I am happy to have had the experience though.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 29th November, 2004
20th Jan 2005, 17:39
I have had most of these dramas too! It's just a car I LOVE TO HATE. I am presently doing a complete restoration, including a change of engine, suspension, interior, dash, brakes, chassis and all body panels (incl the roof!)
Garth,
Jamaica.