Faults:
Just normal 'Wear + Tear' parts, really.
Brake cylinders every 2-3 years...
Rear wheel bearings at 40,000.
These have been replaced with uprated parts to cut down the frequency that replacements are needed - it costs a bit more, but car gives less hassle!
Consumed Alternators (3 I think!) - not the cars fault... just Scottish road salt during winter.
Exhaust to Manifold not remaining tight - giving a "tink-ling" sound under load.
Wiper spindle boxes (the bits the wipers fit onto!) ceased up at 60,000miles causing the Wiper motor to burn out a little bit of the wiring+plug... 1 new wiper motor + boxes and all is now fine (33,000 miles later)
Replaced the very saggy rubber suspension cones at 80,000 - it made the car feel 'new' again! Should have done it at 50,000.
A-panels rusted through at 85,000.
Drivers seat starting to split at 90,000.
Rusty rear bumper lip + rear valence... treatable rather than replace at 93,000.
Engine + Clutch are still going strong.
Key to this seems to be:
Oil + Oil filter changes every 6,000 miles.
Air filter + spark plugs once per year.
And... they have never been adjusted/serviced/tampered with by anyone.
Some under seal is peeling from underneath... rust beginning to show (90,000)
Sills are a bit scruffy - may need replace before next MOT (2 months from now)
General Comments:
Excellent Car.
Usual Mini fun... A Road-Legal Go Kart.
1.3i engine is enough to tow small trailer... my record is 750Kg of Sand+Gravel.
Bit cramped for driver + passengers on longer journeys... but the car itself copes well.
Cheap motoring? Hmmm Only if you don't skimp+save on the 'servicing'.
Reliable? In my experience, yes! But again... don't skimp on the 'servicing'!
22nd Mar 2001, 05:07
These pre-historic 'cars' are best consigned to the history books. How Rover got away with selling these for so long is beyond me.